White acacia: medicinal properties and contraindications

Acacia is presented in the form of a large tree, which is endowed with fragrant flowers. There are several known varieties of this culture. In Eurasia, the most popular is the white acacia, or, as it is also called, robinia. The leaves and inflorescences of this plant are used for the preparation of various medicinal solutions, namely teas, infusions, alcohol-based tinctures, etc. Useful qualities and contraindications of such a plant component have been known in folk medicine since ancient times. This crop is used for preventive and therapeutic purposes in various pathologies.

Chemical composition

Currently, scientists are continuing research into the pharmacological properties of white acacia. The therapeutic characteristics of this tree are associated with the presence in their woody part of such substances as tannins, robinin, phytosterol, tannic compounds.

Glycosides and anthranilic acid ester are concentrated in the flowers of the culture. Aromatic oils and organic acids are also found here.

In the deciduous part of the plant there are flavonoids and their glycosides, namely acacin, robinin and acacetin. In addition, pectins, various mineral compounds, retinol and ascorbic acid are found here. The level of fatty oils in the fruits of the tree reaches 15 percent.

The usefulness of such a plant lies in its rich composition. The inflorescences and bark have a high content of robinin, a substance involved in the process of removing urine from the body. This component is used for the production of medicines.

What it looks like and where it grows

Acacia white is a crop that can be spotted in both urban areas and wilderness areas. Robinia is presented as a plant with fragrant flowers, whose therapeutic characteristics have been used by people for centuries.

Robinia is used not only as an ornamental crop, but its use in the production of perfumes and cosmetics is also known. In informal medicine the healing properties of this plant have been used for a long time.

The advantage of acacia is that it is unpretentious in care, can grow under various natural conditions, at the same time perfectly multiplies even when using seeds. This explains the fact that young sprouts of culture appear every year near mature trees.

In addition, this representative of the flora is a wonderful honey bearer. The bee product from the plant is of particular value in informal medicine.

It should be noted that this is the name of the culture among the people. In botany, however, it is called Robinia lozhnakatsii and is considered one of the most numerous varieties of the said genus. It was introduced from North America, but is now cultivated in various areas with temperate climates.

Robinia can grow up to 30 m tall, sometimes somewhat taller. The bark of the tree is characterized by a gray-brown color, in mature species it is cracked. The culture acts as an ornamental plant, as it has a beautiful, openwork and spreading crown.

The leaves are oval in shape, small in size on a short petiole. There are up to 20 leaflets on a single leaflet. Acacia flowering is quite abundant and lasts a long time. The tree begins to flower from mid-May in bunches, falling down with a large number of fragrant pale yellow flowers.

The fruit of the plant is in the form of elongated pods with smooth seeds inside. They contain 13-15 brown oval beans. They usually ripen by the end of September. At the same time, the ripe pods fall on their own, resulting in the spread of the culture's seeds everywhere. In the ground such beans retain the ability to reproduce up to several years.

Harvesting and storage

To observe the basic requirements of collecting, drying and storing such medicinal plant raw materials is necessary in order to obtain a high-quality product in the end, while preserving most of the valuable components that have a positive effect on human health.

In order to collect and harvest the raw material of Robinia it is not necessary to have any special skills. The main thing is to collect it in time and follow the simple rules.

So, it is necessary to collect the product in May. The most suitable day is when the flowers are just starting to bloom. They should be cut as whole inflorescences, and then sent for drying in a shady room, away from poisonous components and products with a pronounced odor.

The dried raw material should be crushed and placed in an airtight container. The storage conditions of dried flowers involve their protection from small children, because they contain potent, poisonous components that can lead to poisoning with serious complications.

As a plant raw material, the beans of the tree can also be collected, but such a product is collected in September, when the plant is fully mature. After that, the seeds should be cleaned from the pods and dried. They should be stored in cloth bags. Storage life of fruits is 2-3 years, if all the requirements for humidity and temperature parameters were observed.

As for the flowers, their shelf life is not more than one year. In this case, it is recommended to procure fresh raw material every year.

Medicinal properties of white acacia

Acacia is planted to protect the soil from the formation of landslides. That is why the trees grow more often on slopes and near ravines. In addition, the plant is supplied to the perfume industry, as well as being a building material and grown as an ornamental crop. Acacia produces excellent honey.

In addition, this plant is a drug of natural origin. It contains many valuable compounds, which together have a positive effect on human organs and systems, supporting and restoring their functions.

1. First of all, it should be noted that robinia has a positive effect on the joints, namely it suppresses inflammation, reduces pain and provides recovery of the affected area.
2. Helps herbal raw materials also in hypertension, takes part in the restoration of cardiac activity.
3. Due to its mild sedative effect, acacia has a positive effect on the NS. This stabilizes sleep, it is much easier for a person to get rid of stress and fatigue. It is observed a healthy functioning of the brain due to the fact that this remedy activates blood circulation in it.
4. Robinia is indispensable in the treatment of the digestive system. Preparations based on acacia raw materials are taken in gastritis with increased gastric acidity.
5. Acacia is used in the therapy of dry coughs, as well as to suppress asthma attacks. However, this is only possible if you do not develop an allergy to the plant. It is also useful to combine medicinal treatment with acacia honey.
6. Raw material of this plant will help cure constipation and cope with intestinal obstruction, restoring peristalsis and improving digestion.
7. Acacia is known in homeopathy as an antispasmodic and is also used as an antipyretic.
8. Robinia is able to cleanse the liver, ensuring the synthesis of bile and restoring its outflow. Therefore, this product can be included in the complex therapy of liver pathologies, as well as in cholecystitis.

White acacia can eliminate many ailments since ancient times. However, it should be noted that in the bark and seeds of the tree are concentrated dangerous compounds for health, the impact of which on the body is not fully studied. For this reason, you can not exceed certain norms in the treatment.

Is acacia useful for weight loss

Unfortunately, the usefulness of the flowers of the studied plant in the process of weight loss is not proven. To get rid of extra pounds, it is recommended to use products based on this product. For example, honey from robinia is characterized by a rich composition, which allows you to cleanse the body of toxins, helping to better absorb food products. For this purpose, it is recommended to use the product instead of the usual sweetener.

As is known, acacia-based honey has a higher degree of caloric content. So, in 100 grams of delicacy contains more than 300 kcal. Therefore, in order not to harm the waistline, you can eat no more than a spoonful of honey before a meal or before going to bed.

White acacia in folk medicine

With the help of white acacia raw material, you can be cured of a number of diseases, if you use the right treatment regimen and recipe. Before using such a medicinal herbal component, it is recommended to consult with a specialist. There are many proven recipes for years of alternative medicine, which are allowed to use for therapeutic purposes.

1. For example, to make a decoction that can get rid of a person's cough, it is necessary to pour 1 tbsp. of dried flowers with a small amount of hot water. The resulting mixture is stirred and boiled over low heat until boiling. After that, the liquid should infuse for another hour. Ready remedy to drink 1/2 cup before main meals.
2. Acacia is considered one of the best remedies for colds. This is due to the fact that the composition of the product contains elements that have a complex effect on the human body, stimulating protective functions, allowing it to resist various viruses and pathogens. Such a plant can be used to prepare a solution. One part of the dried raw material should be poured over two parts of vodka and insist in a cool place for 14 days. The resulting potion can be used as a means to rub the body with hyperthermia. Remember that the liquid should be heated to room temperature. After that, the patient should wrap up with a warm blanket.
3. Robinia is characterized by strong antimicrobial and antiviral action. To prepare the healing composition you need 1 tsp. of the product pour a mug of boiled water, infuse, and then consume three times a day. The same mass can be used to gargle the throat, which will reduce pain and relieve inflammation.
4. A decoction of acacia flower will be effective for toothache. The recipe is quite simple: you just need to brew 1 tbsp. of dried flowers in 250 ml of hot water. Cooled solution to rinse the mouth.
5. Get rid of stomatitis will help the honey from acacia white. In this case, you need to mix 1 tsp. product of beekeeping with water and add the same amount of baking soda. Gargle with this composition in the mouth until the symptoms of the disease completely disappear. You can also suck on 1 tsp. of honey a day.
6. The raw material of this tree can be used to treat diseases of the stomach. To do this, you will need to prepare a tincture based on the flowers and leaves of the culture, mixing equal parts of fresh leaves and inflorescences and pour them with medical alcohol. So for 0.5 cup of alcohol is enough 2 tbsp of the plant. The mixture should be stored in a cold place, in a hermetically sealed container for at least 10 days. Take 2 tablespoons of the remedy before eating, diluted with water. The treatment lasts for 3 weeks.
7. Diseases of the joints can be treated by external application of alcoholic tincture based on acacia flowers. In this case, pour 100 g of dry flowers in 250 ml of alcohol and insist 2 weeks. The finished tincture is shown for compresses, which are put on overnight. In this case, you can supplement the course of treatment by taking baths with the addition of such a composition. This will reduce pain, relieve inflammation, activate the healing process of the painful joint. To do this, 3 tbsp. of flowers are needed for 1 liter of water. Such a mixture should be boiled for 3 minutes, and then add the decoction to the bath.
8. Tinctures based on Acacia white can be used externally for sciatica, varicose veins, chronic rheumatism. If you have sciatica, you should moisten the affected areas of the body with the tincture and rub. To prepare such a healing composition, you need to fill a 1-liter jar with acacia flowers. After that, pour the container with alcohol so that the flowers were drowned in the liquid. After two weeks of infusion in a dark place, strain the solution and use as directed.
9. To relieve fatigue and get rid of spider veins on the body, you need to prepare the following composition: 100 g of flowers pour 500 ml of vodka. Insist the solution for 3 weeks. Then add chopped lemon to the composition and continue to infuse for another week. The finished product is filtered and used to rub into the affected areas of the body before bedtime.
10. When varicose veins can be treated venous nodes tincture, for the preparation of which you need a three-liter jar filled with fresh acacia leaves and pour 0.5 liters of vodka. Add here chopped plantain leaves. Insist in a dark place for 2 weeks. The resulting preparation should be applied daily until it runs out.
11. Helps white acacia also in gynecological diseases. To cure inflammation of the ovaries, erosion and adnexitis, you can prepare an acacia composition for ingestion and sprinkling. The infusion is made according to a simple recipe - 1 tbsp of raw materials for 400 ml of liquid. It should be taken internally and doubles daily.
12. Acacia can also be used instead of a sleeping pill and sedative. Unfortunately, today's rhythm of life seriously affects the human psyche and nervous system. Therefore, even in the absence of manifestations of anxiety, it is recommended from time to time to take a tea based on the flowers of this tree. It is enough to brew a pinch of flowers in boiling water, adding honey and lemon. Such a composition is best drunk at night, because tea can lead to drowsiness. The drink will relieve stress, eliminate stress, get rid of irritability. It is especially useful to take such a composition at mental and psychological stress.
13. People suffering from chronic kidney disease are recommended to drink regularly 200 ml of acacia infusion in the morning for a month. Such courses should be repeated twice a year.

To cure cystitis, as well as to cope with acute inflammation in the kidneys, get rid of edema, it is necessary to drink 100 ml of freshly prepared solution three times a day. If there are severe pain caused by cystitis, baths with the addition of decoction of the bark of this tree are shown. In this case, you need to boil 100 g of roots in 1 liter of water, and then add it to the bath.

Types of medicinal compositions

Due to the content of a large number of useful compounds, acacia is widely used in folk medicine. From the various parts of this product are made medicinal compositions.

Infusion

The most common method of using acacia flower is to make an infusion on their basis. Such a composition is effective for diseases of the urinary system.

To prepare the composition, you will need 1 tsp of fresh or dried raw materials and a mug of boiling water. Pour the plant in a cup and mix it with steep boiling water. Cover the top of the dish with a lid and insist for 2 hours. At the end of this time, filter the solution. Such a remedy to take daily before meals for 1/3 cup.

Tincture .

On the basis of acacia buds, an alcoholic tincture is prepared. The healing characteristics of acacia can cope with joint pain. To do this, 50 g of raw materials need to pour 500 ml of medical alcohol or vodka. Send the jar to a dark place, away from sunlight. Periodically shake the container with the contents. Use the finished mixture to rub it in.

Decoction

Stomatitis and periodontal disease can be treated by applying a decoction of Robinia. The useful qualities of this product allow to cope with inflammation and provide healing of ulcers on the mucous membranes. The use of such a composition during a cold is characterized by antipyretic effects, as well as stimulates the excretion of phlegm.

1 tbsp. of dried raw materials should be mixed with a glass of boiling water. After cooling, pass the solution through a filter and use to gargle. This solution can also be drank harmlessly in 1/3 cup three times a day before meals.

Tea

The inflorescences of this tree can be used in making tea. It will be useful for colds, gynecological ailments, as well as stomach and kidney disorders. The medicinal qualities of acacia beverage are also valued for prostatitis. The overall effect of the tea on the human body is also known. This composition allows you to strengthen the immune system, relieve anxiety and depression, as well as calm the nervous system. To prepare such a healing potion, you will need a glass of boiling water and 1 tbsp. of raw material. If desired, add honey or other sweetener. For a better effect, you can supplement the tea with other herbs, such as mint, rose hips and melissa.

If you do not follow the norms of admission, the composition can be dangerous for the body. So, you should take it several times a day for 1 cup. Every couple of months you should take a break, and then repeat the course.

Ointment

From the acacia flower can be prepared an ointment. Such a therapeutic remedy is shown with varicose veins. To prepare it, you will need 2 tbsp. raw material, 10 tbsp. crushed comfrey root, 2 tbsp. comfrey leaves, the same amount of chestnut flowers and 4 tbsp. melted pork fat. All ingredients should be thoroughly mixed and pour hot fat. After this mass to send to a low heat for 3 hours. After that, filter the composition, pour it into a jar and cover with a lid. Use the cooled ointment in the form of compresses on painful feet. You need to put a thick layer of gauze, and then fix the bandage on the leg. So walk for 3 days, and then change it for a new one. The course of treatment is 5 treatments, that is, 15 days. After 2 weeks you can repeat it.

Oil .

For the preparation of essential oil, the raw material of acacia white is used. Such a product has a dark yellow and brown color, has a viscous structure and is characterized by a pleasant aroma. In aromatherapy, the product is used to relieve nervous tension, restore sleep, relieve overwork and headaches.

It should also be noted that acacia oil is a powerful aphrodisiac.

Used essential oil on the basis of acacia in the cosmetic field. It is included in compositions designed for cleansing and toning the skin. As a result, their condition improves, fine wrinkles are smoothed, complexion improves, redness and peeling disappear.

Cosmetic applications

Using the inflorescences of Robinia in skin care is due to the fact that this plant contains essential oils, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, minerals and sugars, esters and organic acids. Thanks to such a rich composition of flowers of the tree has a powerful rejuvenating, anti-inflammatory and soothing effect. Before the first use of cosmetics based on acacia you need to conduct a test. To do this, put a drop of the prepared mask on the inner bend of the elbow and check its tolerance.

1. To prepare an anti-aging face mask, take 10 inflorescences of the plant, crush them and mix with 25 grams of natural honey. After that, add 1 tsp of heavy cream to the mixture. Use the ready mask to apply to the skin. It works for 10 minutes, after which all that is left is to wash off the rest of the cosmetic with weak green tea.
2. With oily skin the following mask will be effective: mash dried acacia leaves to a powdery consistency, add an egg yolk and 1 tsp. milk. The resulting mixture applied to the face for 10 minutes, and then wash it off with contrasting water, that is, first use warm water to wash, and then cool water.
3. For smoothing wrinkles mix 1 tbsp. crushed flowers of the plant, a small amount of sour cream and olive oil. This mixture should be applied to the skin for 15 minutes. Remove the rest of the remedy with warm decoction of parsley.
4. Any shampoo, hair rinse, lotion or body cream can be improved by adding a few drops of oil. So, for 2 tbsp. cosmetic composition is enough 1-2 drops of the essential substance.

Useful properties of white acacia honey

The acacia bee product is characterized by a number of positive properties. But along with this, there are also certain contraindications.

This honey is characterized by a fragrant aroma of flowers and a pleasant taste. In liquid form, this product is transparent, and after sugaring it acquires a white color. It contains fructose and glucose. This kind of honey is indicated for diabetes, ulcers, etc. In the case of diabetes, the product can be used for the reason that insulin is not needed for its processing.

Robinia honey does not provoke allergic reactions, it contains enzymes and carotene. It can be given even to small children, because it has a favorable effect on the digestive system and has a healing effect on the affected mucous membranes.

In addition, such a treat restores blood pressure and has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, in the presence of hypertension is recommended to include in the menu is acacia honey. Apply it for two months at a rate of 50 g. This will improve the condition of the patient, normalize hemoglobin.

Such honey is also used to improve vision. For such purposes, it is recommended to make lotions or prepare a solution in distilled water, which can then be put in the eyes for conjunctivitis.

In the presence of eczema, gingivitis and periodontal disease, honey can be used to apply to wounds or sores. This will kill most germs and restore blood flow.

Contraindications to use

Herbal remedies have many benefits. People use herbs and various herbal components for therapeutic purposes, as they differ in the number of side effects.

However, before using it, it is necessary to study each plant in detail, because if you neglect it, you can only harm the body.

When treating with white acacia, it is necessary to know that the contraindications to its use are the time of waiting for a baby and the period of lactation, as well as allergies. Hypotension and the age of children under 12 years are serious restrictions to the use of preparations based on this raw material.

In the presence of chronic diseases, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Interesting facts

1. Acacia is a symbol of immortality. Its wood was used to make special devices designed for the storage of relics of saints.
2. Acacia oil is sacred. Today in many religions such a product is used for anointing and purification.
3. In the East there is a belief: if you combine camellia oil, musk oil and acacia oil in equal quantities, you get a composition for carrying out rituals. In addition, such a mixture can bring happiness and protect from evil spirits.

White Acacia photo