2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Acacia / Acacia / is a genus of shrubs and trees of the legume family / Fabaceae /, first documented in Africa by Linnaeus in 1773. The flowers of the acacia are white and have a pleasant aroma. The fruits are flat pods, similar to those of beans, ripen in late summer. They contain dark brown seeds, up to 14 in number. Acacia flowering begins after the age of five. The leaves are oval and are arranged up to 21 on a single stalk, usually in odd numbers. At the base of each handle there are two prickly spikes that protect the tree from animals.
In our country the most common is white acacia / R. pseudoacacia /. It originates from North America. In Bulgaria it is cultivated mainly along roads and railways, and also as a soil reinforcer.
White acacia is a branched tree, reaching a height of 20 m, with a gray-brown cracked bark. The leaves are slightly pinnate with petioles, at the base of which are two spines. The flowers are white fragrant and are gathered in hanging sleeves, clustered inflorescences. The fruit is a brown bean and contains several dark brown seeds. Acacia is known primarily as a fragrant, ornamental plant. In addition, it is a tree that strengthens the soil well, and folk medicine recommends it for treatment.
History of acacia
According to mythology, the ancient Egyptian god Horus originated from acacia. Moreover, this tree is considered to be the habitat of the goddess Neith. The Egyptians believed that acacia contained both life and death. For the people of Egypt, the acacia symbolizes the sun, rebirth, immortality, and a new beginning. In Mediterranean countries, the acacia symbolizes not only life but platonic love. Acacia thorns were believed to repel evil forces.
From ancient times the acacia has been a symbol of purity. For thousands of years, tribes that roamed the Arabian desert worshiped this plant, which they considered the mother of trees. According to legend, people who have broken acacia branches must die within a year. According to the Bible, the altar of Noah's ark was made of the acacia tree - Gopher. That is why for the Jews the acacia is a sacred tree. It symbolizes burial and mourning. Acacia branches are also used in secret society rituals.
Composition of acacia
The acacia contains essential oil. The bark contains the poisonous albumin-robin, an alkaloid, a dye, and the inner bark (in August) also contains amygdalin, globulin, phytosterol, stigmasterol and an enzyme that breaks down urine.
Growing acacia
Acacia usually grows in sunny places. It is resistant to low and high temperatures, tolerates well polluted air in cities. It grows most successfully on fertile soils. If the soil is calcareous, the tree gets sick and develops poorly.
The acacia develops very quickly. Reaches a height of 25 m and up to 100 years. With the help of its strongly grown and deep roots, it draws food from the soil. Acacia roots have a great ability to give shoots if the stem is cut off. The wood rots hard, lasting up to 80 years outdoors. Acacia is often sown to strengthen steep slopes.
Collection and storage of acacia
White colors are used for treatment acaciawhen still undissolved. They should be collected during flowering, in May and June. They should not be crushed when detached. They are dried in a shady and ventilated place or in an oven at a temperature of up to 40 degrees.
The herb thus processed has a white or slightly yellowish color. If it is not dried, it darkens, turns black and becomes incurable. Apart from the color, the well-dried flowers of the acacia are known for their pleasant smell and sweet taste.
The fruits and bark of the young branches of the acacia are used, as well as its roots. The leaves are picked before flowering - April, the fruits - August, September, and the bark of the twigs and roots in early spring - February, March.
Benefits of acacia
The acacia is popular mainly as a fragrant, ornamental plant. In addition, it is a tree that strengthens the soil well, and folk medicine recommends it for medicinal purposes. The flowers and leaves of the white acacia cure a persistent cough. They also have analgesic and hemostatic effects. They have a pronounced effect on increased stomach acidity. Folk medicine recommends the herb for gastrointestinal problems - belching, heartburn, nausea, pain, vomiting.
Along with the medication prescribed by the doctor, acacia can be used as an additional element in the treatment of gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. It also cures sore throat and headache, high blood pressure, irregular menstruation, rheumatism. In most cases, this herbal treatment is ancillary, not basic.
The acacia is a valuable honey species. From it in the months of May - June the bees collect nectar from which they make acacia honey. More honey is obtained from older trees. This is because even in drier weather, the developed and deeply reaching root system of the acacia reaches wetter soil layers and thus secretes larger amounts of nectar.
Characteristic of acacia honey is that it does not crystallize for a long time - up to 2 years. Transparent and pale green in color, it is one of the first honeys to be harvested during the year in many regions of the country. In any case, acacia honey strengthens the whole body and protects against diseases of the respiratory tract and digestive system. They are used for increased acidity in the stomach, gastritis, acid and other belching, gastric bleeding.
Acacia wood can be successfully used in furniture production, although its use in our country in this area is limited. The high resistance of the wood to abrasion makes it suitable for flooring. Due to its high durability, acacia wood is an excellent building material.
It is used for cladding of vessels, for pillars, glued building structures, sleepers, mine supports, packaging, tool handles, etc. It is widely used in cooperage, as well as for making vessels for the chemical industry. The produced veneer has a beautiful texture, but when veneering stains are often obtained on the surfaces - this shortcoming is removed by subsequent sanding. In some countries, acacia wood is a widely used material for the production of wood fiber boards and cellulose.
Folk medicine with acacia
Bulgarian folk medicine recommends the infusion of white flowers acacia cough, stomach ulcer, headache, facial nerve neuralgia, rheumatism, typhoid, influenza, gastric bleeding. Externally for drooling in toothache. One tablespoon of the herb is soaked for 2 hours in 300 ml of boiling water. From the strained infusion drink 1 glass of wine before meals 3 times a day.
Harm from acacia
Acacia leaves and bark are poisonous. Treatment with the herb should be prescribed and supervised by a doctor, preferring the colors that are considered more harmless.
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Folk healers recommend infusion of white acacia for cough, stomach ulcer, headache, facial nerve neuralgia, rheumatism, typhoid, influenza and gastric bleeding. Acacia is rich in essential oil, the flowers that are still undissolved are used for treatment.
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