Home :: Gum Arabic

Gum Arabic Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Gum arabic comes from the Acacia senegal tree. Its quality varies with growing conditions and gum extraction method (beetle attack, extreme drought, or tapping). In 1977, the United States imported more than 11,000 tons of gum arabic most of it used to add body and texture to processed food products. The herb also is added to nonprescription and prescription drugs as a preservative.

Common doses of gum arabic

Gum arabic comes as:

• powder (20 grams per package)
• gum
• syrup (10% gum arabic).

• To reduce cholesterol, 9.7 to 50 grams of powdered gum arabic taken daily.
• To reduce dental plaque, chew gum arabic.

Uses of gum arabic herb

• Burns
• Common cold
• Cough
• Dental plaque
• Diarrhea
• Dysentery
• High cholesterol
• Kidney failure
• Leprosy
• Sore nipples
• Sore throat

Side effects of gum arabic

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of gum arabic:

• bloating
• intestinal gas
• more frequent bowel movements
• skin inflammation from exposure to gum arabic preservative.

Intravenous injection of gum arabic may cause kidney and liver damage

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking.

Important paints to remember

• Don't use this herb if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Don't neglect regular dental care in favor of this herb.
• Keep in mind that direct contact with gum arabic can cause skin inflammation.

What the research shows

Research suggests gum arabic may be useful as a chewing gum to fight dental plaque, but more studies are needed to determine its appropriate dose and role in treatment. People prone to allergic reactions should use this herb cautiously. Studies have found that gum arabic isn't effective in reducing high cholesterol.

Other names for gum arabic: -

Other names for gum arabic include acacia, acacia arabica gum; acacia gum, Acacia senegal, acacia ver, Egyptian thorn, Gummae mimosae, and senega.