Prepare Acacia as an Herbal Medicine

Acacia montana.

The Acacia tree is indigenous to the Nile area, Angola, East Africa, Mozambique, areas around the Nile, South Africa, The Middle East and India. There are many different species, but it is either a shrub or a tree - woody, with rust-coloured bark. It's leaves are feathery, and its flowers are bright yellow. It also produces pods up to six inches in length. The bark, leaves and pods can all be used medicinally.

Acacias as an herbal medicine is quite useful in treating:

• Ulcers.
• Issues with the gastrointestinal tract.
• Excessive mucus.
• Diarrhea.
• Dysentery.
• Infections of the gums.
• Hemorrhaging.

Though rarely used for parasitic infestation in the United States, they are commonly used for that purpose in other cultures.

• Acacia anthelmintica, for one, is used for worms in Abyssinia.
• Acacia nilotica is specific for malaria in Nigeria.
• In Tanzania Acacias polyacantha is use in another form of malaria.
• Acacias or mimosas, as it is sometimes called, grow throughout the temperate world.
• The United States has several species including; angustissima (thornless acacia) constricts and greggii which is the most common.

Researchers have noted the consistent antibacterial activity of these plants. It was proven to be effective against venomous stings and bites. The bark was chewed to soften it, and placed on the afflicted area as a poultice.

There are several ways to use the Acacia as an herbal medicine, however in this article we will be preparing an infusion (tea) with Acacia.

Materials

• 1-ounce of plant (you can use the stems, leaves and pods)
• 475 ml. - plain water (tap water)
• Mortar and pestle (food blender could also be used but not recommended)
• Funnel
• Cheesecloth
• Pre-boiled glass container

Instructions for Preparing Acacia Tea

1. 1
   Wash the tree material thoroughly with cool running water

   .

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2. 2
   Grind the tree material until it's like a pulp.

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3. 3
   In a non-reacting pot (ceramic pots are best use, but glass and stainless steel will work), boil 475 ml of water.

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4. 4
   When the water starts to boil drop the pulp into the water.

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5. 5
   Boil the mixture for 15-30 minutes

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   This will make a decoction. With just the aerial parts of the herbs, you only have to steep like a tea. When you have bark, and seeds/pods, you need to boil the herbs to get the goodness out of them.

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6. 6
   Let it stand overnight.

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7. 7
   Place a square of cheesecloth into the funnel

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8. 8
   Strain the mixture with through the cheesecloth leaving the solid pulp behind

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9. 9
   Put the strained decoction in a pre-boiled totally dry container (jar or bottle)

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Dosage

Drink 3-12 cups a day for malaria, dysentery or diarrhea. The tea is both anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial in nature.

The tea could also be used as a wash for recent of infected wounds, by soaking a cloth with it, and applying to the affected area.

• The leaves, stems and bark can be ground and applied directly to wounds and fungal infection to stop the bleeding and prevent further infection.
• Acacia pods can be used in eyes as remedy for conjunctivitis by adding 5-6 slightly crushed pods into 1 pint of boiling water and cooled to be washed on the infected eyes.
• Don't take Acacia for more than two or three weeks in a row without a break.
• Do not take Acacia if you are suffering from any kidney ailments, including inflammation.

Research papers that show antimicrobial activity of the acacia nilotica plant.

Below is a list of research papers that show the antimicrobial activity of the acacia nilotica plant:

• Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
• Department of Microbiology, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi
• Department of Studies in Microbiology, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, India

Does the leaf of Acacia polyacantha have any medicinal value?

I want to extract the chemicals from the leaf of Acacia polyacantha because I am MSC student (Organic chemistry)

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