A Review of Uses of Acacia Nilotica (Booni) In Alternative Medicine
Posted: Saturday, July 31, 2010
by Rahaman Onike
Acacia Nilotica belongs to the family of Mimosaceae Plant. It is also called Acacia Arabica. The plant common name is Egyptian Mimosa. This highly medicinal plant is referred to as Booni in Nigerian Yoruba Language. The bark/sap, leaves, gum, roots and fruits / pods of the plant have wider applications in the traditional medicine. The main chemical property of acacia nilotica are tannin and garlic acid. Both the bark and the leaves of the acacia nilotica tree are rich in these two main chemical elements.
Studies have equally proved that chewing of fresh bark of acacia nilotica tree daily, helps strengthen loose teeth and arrest any bleeding from the gums. Dirty teeth can be cleaned effectively by brushing them with a powder in which 60 grammes of charcoal of acacia nilotica wood, 24 Grammes of alum and 12 grammes of rock salt have be included.
The leaves of booni tree (acacia nilotica) are effective in the treatment of conjunctivitis. The leaves, ground to a paste, should be applied on the affected eyes at night, supported by a bandage which is to be untied the next morning. This will remove pains and redness.
The leaves of acacia nilotica tree (booni) are also beneficial in treating epiphora, that is watering of the eyes, in which tears flow onto the cheeks due to abnormality of the tear drainage system. In treating epiphora, about 250 grammes of leaves should be boiled in one and a quarter liter of water until only a quarter liter of water is left. This should then be filtered and kept in a well corked bottle. The eye-lids should be painted morning and evening with this liquid.
Acacia Nilotica gum allays any irritation of the skin and smoothes the inflamed membranes of the pharynx, alimentary canal and genito urinary organs.
In treating tonsillitis, a decoction of the acacia nilotica bark mixed with rock salt can be used as a gargle. The plant is also good for the treatment of leucorrhea. In treating leucorrhea the decoction of the bark of the acacia nilotica should be used as vaginal douche for the treatment of this disorder.
The fresh pods of acacia nilotica (booni) tree are effective in treating sexual disorders such as spermatorrhea, loss of viscidity of semen, frequent night discharges and premature ejaculation. It has been proved to be good for increasing power of retention of the semen.
The pods of acacia nilotica are reported helpful in removing catarrhal matter and phlegm from bronchial tubes.
African zulu take bark of acacia nilotica for cough treatment. Zulu use the plant to treat diarrhea, dysentery, leprosy and it acts as an astringent. Masai people / tribe believe acacia nilotica is a good aphrodisiac and the root is said to cure importance. Masai tribe take the decoction as a good medicine to gain confidence and courage.
According to online publication accessed at www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/acacia-arabica, the bark or gum of the plant acacia nilotica is used in West Africa to treat cancers and / or tumours of ear, eye or testicles. It is also used in West Africa to treat indurations of liver and spleen, condylomas and excess flesh. In Senegal , the bark, leaves and young pods are chewed as an antiscorbutic. The bruised leaves are poulticed and used to treat ulcers. In Lebanon , acacia nilotica is infused with orange flower to treat typhoid convalescence. The Chipi and Tonga people / tribes use the root to treat tuberculosis.
The Egyptians believe that diabetics may eat unlimited carbohydrates as long as they consume powdered pods of acacia nilotica. The Italian Africa use the bark concoction in treating small pox. In Ethiopia , acacia nilotica (booni) is used as a lactogogue (increase milk supply).
In Australia , acacia nilotica bark is believed to be an astringent with high tannic acid contents that help to check bleeding, discharge and excess mucus. The extract from this highly astringent herb may block the body's pain triggers.
In Ayuvedic medicine, the plant bark or pods are used internally to treat dysentery, chronic diarrhea and excess mucus. It is estimated that acacia nilotica bark contains 24- 42 per cent tannin and also gallic acid. Externally, it helps to stop nose bleeding and good for the treatment of hemorrhoids, skin eruptions, leg sores, mouth ulcers, sore throats and dental infections. In ayurveda, acacia nilotica is considered a remedy for premature ejaculation.
Prof. Tolu Odugbemi of Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Lagos , Nigeria, in an edited book entitled Outlines and Pictures of Medicinal Plants from Nigeria reports that acacia nilotica (booni) pods and bark are good for treating skin diseases, fungal infections, insomnia and emollient. Sonibare M.A. and Z.O. Gbile in African Journal of Traditional, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Vol. 5 No 4, 2008 pg. 345 report that acacia nilotica is good for the treatment of ashma.
Ameh J.S. et al in the Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research ,April 2010: 9 (2) pp 119 125 report that the pods and roots of acacia nilotica have demulcent, styptic and astringent properties. The stem bark can be ingested for leucorrhoea, diarrhea, dysentery, cough and diabetes mellitus type II.
By
Onike Rahaman.
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