Black babool

The Scientific name of the Black Babool tree: is Acacia nilotica

Family: Mimosaceae

Name of black babool in different languages:

English: Prickly acacia, Rusty Acacia, Thorn tree, Babool, Babul.

Sanskrit: Vavari, Barburah, Arimedham, Babboola

Hindi: Babur, Babul, Kikar

Malayalam: Karivelam കരിവേലം, Karuvelamകരുവേലം

Tamil: Karuvael, Karuvelam

Plant description of Black babool:

A moderate-sized tree up to 10 m in height with dark brown or longitudinally, fissured rough bark and reddish brown heartwood, branchlets slender, pubescent when young; leaves bipinnately compound, main rachis downy often, with glands, stipular spines highly variable, often whitish, straight and sharp, pinnate 4-9 pairs, leaflets sub sessile, 10-25 pairs, nearly glabrous, flowers golden yellow in globose heads, peduncles axillary in fasicles of 2-6; fruits stalked, compressed, moniliform pods with constrictions between the seeds; seeds 8-12 per pod.

Propagation: Seeds

Leaf Arrangement

Shape-Bipinnate	Margin-Entire	Venation-Pinnate

Useful plant parts:

Leaf, root, stem, and gum (Gum arabic).

Medicinal uses of Black babool:

To treat hemorrhages, ulcers, chronic dysentery, skin diseases, burning sensation, bronchitis, leprosy, oral ulcers, odontopathy, pneumonia, internal fevers, and general debility.

Ayurveda Medicinal uses of Black Babool

In Ayurveda, Black Babool (Acacia nilotica), also known as “Kala Babool,” is valued for its medicinal properties. It’s believed to have several therapeutic benefits:

1. Oral Health: Used for its astringent properties to address dental issues like gum bleeding and toothache.

2. Wound Healing: Applied topically for its antiseptic and wound-healing properties.

3. Digestive Health: Used to alleviate digestive problems like diarrhea and dysentery.

4. Respiratory Conditions: Believed to be beneficial for managing cough and bronchitis.

5. Anti-inflammatory: It’s thought to have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially helpful for arthritis and joint pain.

6. Skin Disorders: Used for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties for skin conditions.

7. Urinary Disorders: Employed to address urinary tract infections and related problems.

8. Fever Management: Some practitioners use it to reduce fever and associated symptoms.

Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare professional before using Black Babool for medicinal purposes. They can guide safe and appropriate usage based on individual health conditions.

Chemical content:

Tannin.

Medicinal Properties:

Aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, diuretic, antiseptic, antirheumatic, expectorant

How to prepare medicines:

The plant’s root is used to treat tuberculosis; wood is used to treat smallpox, crushed leaves are poultice and used to treat ulcers.