Babbul

Babbul (Acacia Arabica) is referred to as a “healing tree” in Ayurveda. In the traditional medicine system, babbul is used as a natural astringent, wound infections, skin disease, mouth ulcers, diarrhoea. Babbul is a therapeutic potent tree, in recent times researchers have worked on the various activities of this medicinal plant. It is used in the treatment of Alzheimer disease, malaria, diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, oral problems, and infertility.

Vernacular Names

In Hindi – Kikar, babbul, babool, babbulu
In English – Indian gum arabic, Thorn acacia
In Kannada – Jaali, Gobbli
In Malayalam – Velutha, Karuvelan
In Gujarati – Baval, kaloabaval
In Tamil – Karuvelam
In Kashmiri – Sak
In Arabic – Ummughilan

Taxonomical Classification

Kingdom
Plantae

Division
Magnoliophyta

Class
Magnoliopsida

Family
Fabaceae (leguminosae)

Genus
Acacia

Species
A.arabica, A. nilotica

Habitat

The babbul plant is highly demanding of sunlight, but sensitive to cold. It is widely distributed in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The rainfall requirement range is 100mm to 1000mm. Due to its long tap root system, known as Phreatophyte that scavenge water from deeper layers of the soil. It can tolerate salinity, and also grows in shallow and rocky areas.

Chemical Composition

Babbul shows various ethnomedicinal properties due to numerous phytochemicals present in this plant. Let’s discuss phytochemistry of the plant:

Part of the Plant	Phytochemical	Properties
Leaves	Rich in tannins, proteins, saponins, glycosides, triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenol, 𝛄 – sitosterol, D- pinitol	Anti-diabetic, Anti-cancer, Anti hypertensives, Anti-diarrheal, anthelmintic
Bark	Carbohydrates, Anthraquinone, Methyl gallate, Gallic acid, Umbelliferone, Diterpene, niloticane, cassane	Antibacterial, Anti diabetic, Anti thrombotic, Anti-inflammatory, Anti carcinogenic, Anti-oxidant, diuretic, Anti molluscicidal
Gum	Tannin, Terpenoids, Polysaccharides, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium	Antipyretic, Anti asthmatic, Anti ulcerative, Anti diabetic, immuno- modulatory effect, Anti malaria, protective effect on reproductive organs
Flowers	Naringenin, Acetylcholine, gallic acid, glucopyranoside, Kaempferol, glucopyranoside	Anti-oxidant, Astringent, immuno- modulatory, treating leucorrhea

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa (Taste) – Tikta (bitter), Kasaya (astringent)
Guna (Quality) – Laghu (light to digest), Ruksha (dry in nature)
Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (coolant)
Vipaka (Post digestive effect) – Katu (Pungent)
Karma (Action) – Kapha – Pittashamak (Pacifies kapha and Pitta)
Projyang (Part used) – Fruits are used

Practical Uses

Babul is referred to as “Healing tree” because all the parts of the plant i.e. stem, fruit, pods, bark and seeds are used in the various medicinal systems. These uses are mentioned as below:

Dried leaves powder is used to control bleeding from fresh wound injuries.
Bark is used as a natural astringent and Tanning agent.
Decoction of bark is used for uttar basti (enema through vagina) in leucorrhoea.
Chewing fresh stems strengthens and whitens the teeth.
Bark decoction is used to treat mouth ulcers and other oral problems.
Seeds are used to reduce diarrhea by decreasing the intestinal motility.
Flowers are used to treat nausea, vomiting and hangovers.
Gum from the tree bark is beneficial in dysentery and to treat diabetes mellitus.
Gum is used to relieve joint related pain and arthritis.
Decoction of pod and bark is beneficial in hemorrhoid and bleeding piles.
Powder of raw legume is used to treat spermatorrhoea and Dhat syndrome.
Paste of leaves is used to treat skin infections.
Flowers are also to treat earaches and help to reduce the body temperature.