ACACIA CATECHU - TANNIC ACACIA

Acacia catechu is a tree that belongs to the legume family. With the help of its bark extract, betel gum, black vodka is prepared, and also used as a dye and tanning agent for skin and fabrics. Therefore, acacia catechu is also called "tannic". In addition, the bark extract has healing properties.

Characteristic and description

Acacia tanna represents branch tree whose height can reach from 10 to 20 meters. Its trunk has dark brown shade, and a strong root system has a powerful main stem and many branches in the upper soil layers.
The branches of the acacia catechu are covered with many long paired leaves, and its yellow flowers are collected in inflorescences, similar to the ear. The fruit of tannic acacia - this is a flattened bean, inside of which is hiding one round seed of dark brown color.

Place of growth

As a wild plant, acate catechu is often found in the Asian tropics, in Africa, Sumatra, in the forests of Australia, Mexico, Jamaica and Java. But in India and Pakistan the potter is a cultivated plant.

Chemical composition

Tannery Acacia wood is famous for what is distinguished by the abundance of special tannins. They are formed due to the condensation of substances such as catechin, epicatechin, as well as their dimers. In addition, there are DMT and other tryptamine alkaloids in the bark and foliage of the tree.

The wood is crushed, boiled for a while in water, then evaporated and finally dried. In this way get wood extract (which is called - catechu). Its pieces are painted in a copper-brown color, they taste bitter and astringent. In water, and also ethyl alcohol, the catechu dissolves without residue.

In addition, the acacia tannery used in the process of harvesting gum (more precisely, one of its varieties - gum arabic). This viscous and transparent liquid protrudes from natural cracks in the trunk and branches, as well as from artificially made cuts on the bark.
Believed that the best gum arabic is distinguished by six-year-old cultural acacias. Light gum arabic is more preferable than dark gum. In cold water, it is converted into a thick liquid, which has sticky properties and due to this it is used in various fields like glue, gelling agent, etc. Gum is also used in medicine: it is used to make pills and emulsions, it helps to reduce irritation from drugs

Keep acacia products from the catechu in a dry and darkened cool. High humidity and heat change the beneficial properties of all preparations based on tannic acacia.

Application

The catechu solution is an astringent for coughing, as well as inflammation of the tonsils and asthma.
Acts as an effective antispasmodic for heartburn, diarrhea, other diseases of the digestive system and dyspeptic phenomena.
The bark of the tree is used in the process of creating drugs that improve appetite and quench thirst.
Also the catechu relieves pain, constricts blood vessels, heals wounds. Therefore, the solution of the catechu is designed for oral administration, and for external use. Gadgets based on it have antimicrobial and effective anti-inflammatory effect.
With weakness and bleeding gums with a solution of the betel rinse your mouth. This procedure helps to protect mucous membranes from negative external influences.

Not only acacia bark is useful, but also its shoots. They contain catechins that slow down the aging of the body, reduce the risk of tumors, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, heart disease, diabetes.

It improves the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, contributes to a more efficient use of the necessary vitamin C by the body, removes harmful substances (for example, tin, cadmium, lead, etc.).

Contraindications

Do not use betel-based drugs for the treatment of:

children under two years old
people prone to constipation.

If taking medications causes vomiting or upset stomach, it speaks of individual intolerance. In this case, the reception must immediately stop.

Due to the content of alkaloids in the catech, it is necessary to be very careful with its use. To resort to this tool should only be in the case of the recommendation of a doctor, strictly observing the prescribed dates and doses.

Side effects

Most often means on the basis of acacia catechu well tolerated. However, in rare cases, they can provoke skin allergies. Women during pregnancy and lactation should also be careful and consult with your doctor about reception.

With proper reception of the means Catechu can have a beneficial effect on the body. Due to the complex effect of the drug can help in many cases, so it is useful to have it in a home medicine chest.