Acacia
Botanical Name: Acacia Senegal
Family: Leguminosae
Other Names: Gum Arabic tree, Egyptian thorn, cape gum, Arabian tree, Rudraksha
Description: A spiny shrub or small tree which grows up to 12m
Native to: North & West Africa, Asia and Australia
Cultivation: Sandy soil and a dry climate.
Parts Used: Wood, Gum
Harvesting: Gum is clearly produced throughout the rainy season (November/December). Remove strips of the bark
Constituents: Arabic acid
Digestive: Diarrhoea
Respiratory: Sore throats
Other Notes:
It was believed in Egypt that a human soul was concealed in the topmost branches but when the tree was cut down the owner died. However when the seed pod was placed in water the man revived and would one day become the Pharaoh of Egypt
It is one of the symbolic flowers of Freemasonry