Babul or Acacia Arabica (Kikar) is a large tree with 15 meters of height and has thorns on its branches. It is a wild plant that usually found in the jungles of India or tropical Africa. It is mainly planted for the bark which is enriched in tannin and gallic acid.
The leaves, bark, pods and gum of the tree are found to have various medicinal virtues which may help in treating various health disorders. The pods are helpful in removing the phlegm and catarrhal matter from the bronchial tubes. The gum of the tree helps in soothing the irritation of the skin as well as the inflammation of the alimentary canal, pharynx and genito-urinary organs.
Let us go through few of the health ailments cured by Babul:
Diarrohea: this herb is really useful in curing diarrohea. It is advised that a mixture prepared by using leaves and white or black cumin seeds in the dosage of 13 grams should be consumed three times a day to have beneficial results. You can also take infusion made by the bark of the tree three times a day to have immediate relief from diarrohea.
Teeth Disorder: This herb acts like a magic in curing numerous problems related to teeth or bleeding of the gums. To cure these ailments it is advised to chew the bark of this herb everyday to have beneficial results. The dirty teeth can be effectively cleaned by brushing them with the powdered bark mixed with roasted alum and rock salt daily.
Eczema: this herb is really helpful in treating eczema. It is advised that the bark of babul and mango should be boiled in water and then the affected part should be fomented with this decoction and later on ghee should be applied over the fomented area.
Tonsillitis: To treat tonsillitis it is advised a gargle should be done with the decoction prepared by mixing the babul bark with rock salt.
Conjunctivitis: The leaves of this herb prove to be an effective remedy for curing conjunctivitis. It is advised the leaves should be perfectly grounded to paste and applied over the affected area at the night time along with tied with bandage and opened next morning may help in relieving the pain and redness of the eyes.
Epiphora: Epiphora is a state when tears keep on coming out of eyes all the time. It is advised that the leaves of this herb should be boiled in the water and is later strained and kept in air tight bottle. The eyes lids should be then painted with morning every night and day to have beneficial results.
Apart from treating health disorders babul tree serves various other purposes such as people makes use of the seeds, pods and branches of this tree like fodder for animals. The decoction of the bark of the herb is used as a soap substitute by various villagers. All in all it is a plant with versatile medicinal, household and commercial usage.