Fabaceae
Babul Bark
Acacia nilotica
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Africa, Middle East, India
Also known as: Egyptian Thorn, Gum Arabic Tree, Babul, Prickly Acacia
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
BarkGumSeed
Therapeutic Uses
Diarrhea, dysentery (astringent bark), oral hygiene (antimicrobial), wound healing, eczema (topical). Gum arabic used as pharmaceutical excipient and prebiotic.
Herbal Actions
Astringent, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antidiarrheal
Active Constituents
Tannins (Arabic acid — gum, gallotannins — bark up to 20%), alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids
Preparation Methods
🍵 Decoction🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1–2 tsp bark per 250ml, simmer 15 min, 3x daily during diarrhea |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 40% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Gum arabic (from this tree): pharmaceutical binding agent and food additive (E414). Traditional toothbrush tree. Bark one of highest tannin plants. Combine with neem for oral infections. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Tannins reduce drug absorption. Caution in pregnancy. Constipation with excess.
Side Effects: Constipation. Reduced mineral absorption. Very well tolerated.