BABBULA- Acacia Arebica

BABBULA- Acacia ArebicaBabbula a moderate sized, spiny, evergreen tree found throughout India.not mentained in classics [ samhitas ] but in Sodala nigantu its gum is noted as GundraRaja nigantu is noted as Barbari

Vernacular Names:-• Sanskrit : Bavari, Kinkirata• Assamese : Babala• Bengali : Babla• English : Babula tree, Indian gum arabic tree• Gujrati : Baval, Kaloabaval• Hindi : Babula, Babura, Kikar• Kannada : Sharmeeruka, Kari Jail, Kari gobli, Pulai Jali• Kashmiri : Sak• Malayalam : Velutha Karuvelan• Marathi : Babhul, Babhula• Oriya : Babula, Babala• Punjabi : Kikkar• Tamil : Karuvelan, Karuvel• Telugu : Nallatumma, Thumma• Lat:- Acacia Arebica

Synonames:-Yugmakanta:- 2 thrones attached Dradaruha:- Branches are strongSookshmapatra:- smallest leavesMalaphala:- flowers arranged like garland

Family:- LeguminosaeKula:- ShimbiSub – Family:- MimosaceaeUpakula:- Babbula

Habitate:-Most of the parts of India mostly in dry areas

• Three Varieties Of Acacia Arabica In Ayurveda Texts:

• 'Telia' or Oily Babul: The plant of this variety is of medium size.

• 'Kaudia' Babul: The plant of this variety is small and its bark is rough and in layers with scraped looks. It was found in 'Vidarbha' and 'Khanadesa'. This is also known as Variety Vediana Cooke.

• 'Ramkanta' Babul: The branches of this variety is upward, giving this tree the appearance of a broom. It is commonly found in Punjab, Rajasthan and Southern states of India. This is also known as Variety Cupressiformis Stewart.

Morphology:-The Plant:This evergreen tree is of medium height around 25 to 30 feet. It looks like a bush.The Stem & Branches:The bark is dark either brownish or greyish. The branches are simple, spiked. Spikes are white, sharp and 0.5 to 2 inch long. There are two spikes below the petiole of the leaf.The Leaves:There are 10 to 12 pair of leaflets of 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. The uppermost and lowermost leaflets have small glands at the roots.The Flowers:Yellow flowers of 1/2 inch diameter are sweet and fragrant. Flowering occurs in August to September.The Legume:It is 3 to 6 inch long, 1/2 inch wide. There are 8 to 12 seeds in the flat legume. The legume is constricted in between seeds. Fruition period is from January to April.

Chemical Composition:-Fruits:- 12-19 % TeninStem:- Gum Arebica [ Galactoaraban ]

Ash of gum consistsArebic acidCalcium- 52%Megnisium – 20%catechin

Properties:-Rasa:- KasayaGuna : Guru, Ruksha, VishadaVirya : sheetaVipaka : KatuKarma : Grahi,, Vishaghna.

Dosha Karma:-KaphaharaNiryasa- Vatapittahara

Functions Acc to Diff Scholars:-Bhavamisra:-1. Babbula paste applied external in Snayuka krimiChkradatta:-1. Atisara- pate of tender leaves2. Upadamsha:- powder of tender leaves spirnkled3. Netrasrava:- Anjana of Babbulapatra4. Astibagna:- Phalachoorna+ madhu = 3 daysVangasena;-1. Jalodara:- Babbulatwak kwata with Takra

Useful Part:-Twak, Phala, Niryasa

Dosage:-Twakkwata- 50-100 mlPhalachoorna- 3-6 gmNiryasa- 3-6 gm

Special preparations:-BabbularistaLavangadi vati

Cotations