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Uses for Acacia Leaves
Uses for Acacia Leaves. Acacias grow worldwide. There are 1,300 species. They can be found in tropical regions and the warmer temperate areas of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. The tree, its leaves, bark and seed pods have been used for everything from chewing gum to headache pastes to giraffe food. Stories from ancient cultures endow the...
Acacias grow worldwide. There are 1,300 species. They can be found in tropical regions and the warmer temperate areas of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. The tree, its leaves, bark and seed pods have been used for everything from chewing gum to headache pastes to giraffe food. Stories from ancient cultures endow the acacia with magical and historical significance.
Grazing Foliage
On the African savanna, acacia trees are a critical part of the life cycle. The trees grow well in the semi-arid conditions and their spiky thorns do not deter the taller grazing animals, like giraffes and elephants. Acacia leaves are a high-protein food source for these animals and provide a ready and accessible supply of nutrition, especially during periods of drought.
Acacia on the Menu
In Chinese and Asian cooking, the acacia leaf is used raw with a dipping sauce to cut its bitter flavor. The sauce is usually something pungent, like shrimp sauce or a strong fish-flavored sauce. More commonly, it is served cooked as a seasoning for stir-fry, egg dishes, omelets, rice and vegetables. Cooked acacia leaves are also served as stand-alone vegetables throughout parts of southern Asia.
Folk Medicine
In traditional or folk medicine, a ground paste of the acacia leaf is applied as a headache remedy and on skin to relieve and clear up eczema and ringworm. A decoction made of bark and leaves is brewed for treatment of diarrhea and a brew from the leaves can be gargled for sore throat, coughs and respiratory conditions, as well as to prevent tooth decay. In some parts of the western hemisphere, a leaf infusion is used as a laxative and as a sedative. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, acacia leaves do have antibacterial properties.
Myth, Magic and Ritual
According to Herb Magic, the Egyptians wove their funeral wreaths of acacia leaves and coated the wrappings of their mummies with a liquid made from acacia.The ancient Hebrews planted a sprig of acacia in honor of a departed friend. They believed, and the Bible recounts, that Moses' burning bush was an acacia, the Ark of the Covenant is made from acacia wood and Noah's ark was built from the wood of the hardy tree. Christian belief holds that the crown of thorns used in the crucifixion of Christ was made of acacia and that the cross itself may have been acacia wood. The legends attached to acacia give its leaves a heightened significance in some esoteric practices. The acacia is considered to stand for immortality and initiation and the leaves are burned as incense or used to sprinkle blessed water in ritual ceremonies.
