Do you remember the song about white acacia? And the romance about her fragrant clusters? Probably not a single plant evoked such an interest as white acacia. This tall tree with a thick trunk and a spreading openwork crown seems at first glance and does not cause any interest. Silver-brown color with deep cracks in the bark, unpaired pinnate-complex leaves, and spikes on the shoots ...
But everything changes when the plant blooms. According to existing legend, acacia flowers are fragments of the month scattered everywhere. Her white fragrant flowers are gathered in drooping panicles and are vaguely reminiscent of moths flying from heaven. And, which is especially pleasant, white acacia not only pleases the eye and creates a romantic mood, but also heals us, takes care of our skin.
The first seedlings of this “aromatic medicine” were brought to Europe in the 17th century. The royal gardener by the name of Robin brought them from the States, and in honor of this man the acacia is also called robinia. The life of this plant lasts no more than 50 years. For more than 200 years, it grew in parks, gardens, on boulevards as a southern plant, but gradually, mastering more and more new territories, it came to us. The flowering of the robinia begins in late May, and the fruits ripen only in June.
White acacia is known in folk medicine as a medicinal plant. Her healing properties are flowers, bark, leaves and fruits, although the chemical composition of the fruit has not been thoroughly studied. It has been established that robinin (flavonoid) is present in the bark and flowers, a substance that helps to remove urea from the body. But it is toxic, and with the help of acacia it is dangerous to treat diseases on your own.
Harvesting medicinal raw materials from acacia is necessary, observing special rules. So, flowers are harvested in the flowering stage, half-bloomed, and dried at high temperature in a well-blown room. These fragrant flowers contain vitamins, essential oils, minerals and organic acids.
Bark and foliage must be collected during the growing season. Flavonoids and their glycosides were found in the leaves of the plant, and pectins, tannins, and fatty oils were found in the young bark.
Preparations made on the basis of acacia raw materials are prescribed as antipyretic, expectorant, choleretic, antispasmodic, antihypertensive and mild laxative.
White acacia, or rather, its flowers, is used to treat various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, with gastritis and ulcer, with bladder disease, with kidney stones and urolithiasis, radiculitis, rheumatism, osteochondrosis, colds and other ailments.
Wounds are washed with a decoction of flowers, tincture of flowers on vodka or alcohol is used for compresses and rubbing for joint diseases. But inside, acacia can be used only with the direct guidance of a doctor, otherwise an overdose or severe poisoning can occur.
White acacia is taken in the form of a decoction for uterine fibroids and inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs, but from infertility they drink tincture from its flowers. For colds and coughs take a decoction of leaves, powdered.
Acacia honey, which is used both as a food product and as an additive to face masks, is very useful. If you add a certain amount of such honey to masks from fruits, vegetables, eggs or cottage cheese, they will have a rejuvenating effect, smooth wrinkles and relieve oily skin. The only thing you need to know: before applying such a mask, check for an allergic reaction. To do this, smear a little of the mixture on the bend of the elbow.
It is important to remember that medicinal raw materials from white acacia can not be used for people with low acidity and allergies. And, of course, when preparing decoctions and tinctures, the recipe should be very clearly observed. For any initiative can lead to the receipt of drugs, and poison.