Acacia catechu

Application, recipes, description and medicinal properties of acacia catechu

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Botanical description of acacia catechu

Plants of the genus acacia have large number of species. One of the species is acacia catechu. It belongs to the subfamily of the legume family milosovich Department of flowering.

Acacia catechu is a densely foliated tree 10 to 20 feet tall with properities elongated leaves up to 30 centimeters in length (number of pairs can range from 30 to 60), numerous small leaves at the base, paired thorns and small yellow flowers are collected in spike inflorescence. The fruit of acacia catechu is considered as one-seeded flattened Bob. Inside Bob are rounded, flattened seeds are dark brown in color.

The plant is widely distributed in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Africa, Sumatra, Jamaica and Java. It is cultivated in Pakistan and India.

Collection and preparation acacia catechu

Raw materials of acacia catechu is an extract derived from wood. This extract is called "catechu" and is produced by the method of grinding of acacia wood, its subsequent boiling down of water evaporation on leaves and drying in the sun. The result is a substance in the form of lumps of various sizes, with copper-brown or almost black color, and a bitter and strongly astringent taste. A basic property of betel is its ability to dissolve completely in the ethanol and water. During the reaction with alum ammonium-iron solution should give a greenish-black precipitate.

Also acacia catechu is known that it is used for harvesting of gum Arabic. Gum Arabic, or gum, as it is called, is a transparent liquid to viscous consistency. Gum Arabic acts on the surface of the bark of a tree with the appearance of natural fractures and cuts caused by artificial means. One of the best is gum Arabic, obtained from incisions of the bark of six-year-old cultivated trees.

Prepared gum Arabic is sorted by color pieces. The best grades of gum Arabic are large yellowish pieces spherical shape, lower quality varieties have a dark color. Quality gum Arabic is supposed to dissolve completely in cold water, turning into a transparent, thick, yellowish and sticky liquid.

Medicinal properties and the use of acacia catechu

The wood of acacia catechu is rich in tannins, produced by condensation of units of catechin, epicatechin and their dimers. Their presence explains the medicinal properties of the plant. Due to the fact that tannins have the ability to react with protein of mucous membranes and skin, contributing to the deposition of proteins and the formation of dense albuminatov, they protect the mucous membranes against external influences and stimuli, much easier pain. Also noted is the property of acacia catechu to narrowing of the vessels, the imposition of tannins in the form of application for certain areas of the body and contribute to normalization of cell membranes, resulting in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect. Considering all these factors, it can be noted that the use of drugs based on the extract of acacia catechu reduces inflammatory processes at mucosal surfaces and promotes healing of various erosions.

Marked by a strong anti-carcinogenic properties of acacia catechu. It is known to use preparations of this plant in traditional Eastern medicine as an antispasmodic and in the treatment of dyspeptic phenomena of various etiologies.

A solution of catechu extract has astringent properties. It is taken orally for the treatment of bleeding and looseness of the gums. For external use used gadgets.

Such vegetable substances as catechins, present in large quantities in young shoots of plants, possess a number of valuable properties, which include:
– the destruction of free radicals, preventing aging and helps to prevent the occurrence of tumors;
– the absorption of cholesterol thereby reduces the risk of thromboses, of atherosclerosis, strokes and heart attacks;
– to promote the prevention of diabetes in connection with the regulation of sugar levels in the body;
regulation of the permeability of the capillaries and an increase in the elasticity of their walls due to the high biological activity;
– to promote more efficient use of the human body of vitamin C;
– the destruction of bacteria in the oral cavity and to reduce the risk of the incidence of periodontitis;
– excretion of lead, tin, chromium and cadmium.

Bark of the plant are widely used in drugs to improve appetite and quench your thirst.

The population of Malaysia uses catechu for the preparation of betel, which is a mass for chewing. Also acacia catechu has good dyeing qualities and is used in the production as tanning andthe coloring means.

Chemical composition of acacia catechu

The bark and leaves of acacia catechu different content tryptamines DMT and other alkaloids.

Produced artificially from wood of acacia catechu gum Arabic contains a large number catecholamines and catechins. The main part of his composition are magnesium salts of Arbekovo acid as well as potassium and calcium acid.

Recipes from acacia catechu

Extract catechu has been successfully used as tanning of raw materials for the manufacture of preparations recommended for use in inflammations of the mouth and throat, as well as in a variety diarrhea.

As a binding agent for the intestines and mouth used alcohol tincture of the extract. For its preparation it is necessary one part of extract of catechu mixed with five parts of alcohol.

Side effects and contraindications to the use of acacia catechu

Due to the fact that the acacia catechu contains in its composition of alkaloids that make the products based on it should be very carefully, observing all the recommendations and the dosage specified in the instructions.