What Is Acacia Medicine?

Acacia medicine is a gum derived from the acacia tree by tapping the tree and collecting the resin. The scientific name for acacia is Acacia senegal, and the medicine is commonly known as acacia gum, gum senegal, gum arabic or acacia arabica.

Variants

• There are three commercially available variants of acacia gum which may be distinguished from one another by color and physical attributes of the medicine. Gum quality is determined by the process of obtaining the medicine, which include natural flow, tapping and boring beetles.

Uses

• Acacia gum has healing properties and can be applied topically to heal wounds. The gum also can help maintain dental hygiene by inhibiting the growth of plaque and periodontic bacteria. It also may be used to lower cholesterol, although its effectiveness has not been verified.

Adverse Effects

• Although acacia gum is generally thought to be safe, some people may experience side effects such as bloating, gas, allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Acacia medicine should not be used with amoxicillin, because it prevents the antibiotic from absorbing into the body properly.

Dosage

• Proper dosage amount depends on factors such as health and age. It is advisable to consult a physician or pharmacist before beginning a regimen, because natural products are not necessarily safe.