Let the Acacia Smooth ya!

The Acacia or Babul Tree is an average size tree that is commonly found in India and Africa. It belongs to the plant family, Mimosaceae. The leaves are bipinnately compound and 5-10 cm. long, which means they are twice divided. The plant has a good defensive mechanism in its V-shaped thorns that are white or light gray in color. The globose flowers are yellow and the pods are light gray in color. The pods, 7.5-15 cm. long are compressed and constricted at the sutures between the seeds, which range from 8-12 in a single pod.

The parts that are normally used are the flowers, bark, beans, leaves, and the gum also known as Gum Arabic. 
Historically the Bedouin tribes used it in the Middle East as food and also medicinally to soothe irritated area of the digestive tract. Later, it was discovered that it could be used as a binder for pills and tablets.  

In ancient Egypt, the Gum Arabic was known to be a prized herb.
In the present, Gum Arabic is very good for treating inflammation. It's demulcent properties allow it to soften irritation of the stomach and throat. It also softens the harshness of pills and is used as a coating over a bitter or difficult to digest pills. 

Acacia can be used as a salve for burns, nodular leprosy, and for lactating women who are suffering form over-nursed and painful nipples.
Gum Arabic, gum from the Acacia tree, resins naturally and when the resins are placed in boiling water, it becomes a mucilage. Mucilage is a thick, sticky substance that comes from plants that is used as an adhesive. It's edible and has nutritional value. As a mucilage, it supplies a soothing, protective coat on the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary linings. it soothes irritated mucous membranes, including stomach, bowels, uterus, and vagina area. Gum Arabic main effect is to create a protective soothing coat over inflammations. when it is applied it retains warmth and moisture.

With this being cold and flu season Acacia is a great herb to have around. It also soothes sore throats, coughs, catarrh (excessive build-up of thick phlegm or mucus in an airway or cavity of the body), diarrhea, etc.