Dictionary of Medicinal Plants

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.

Family � Mimosaceae.

Habitat � Native to West Indies; now occurring throughout India.

English � Cassie Flower, Cassie Absolute, Sweet Acacia.

Ayurvedic � Arimeda, Vitkhadira.

Unani � Vilaayati Kikar, Gandbabuul, Guyaa Babuul, Durgandh Khair.

Siddha/Tamil � Kastuurivel, Vedday­ala.

Action � Bark—astringent, demul­

cent, anthelmintic, antidysenteric,

anti-inflammatory (used in stom­

atitis, ulcers, swollen gums, dental

caries, bronchitis, skin diseases).

Ripe pods contain tannins and sev­eral polyphenolic compounds. Essen­tialoilfrompods—directmusclerelax­ant, cardiac depressant and sedative.

Various plant parts are used in in­sanity, epilepsy, delirium and convul­sions.

Acacia leucophloea Willd.

Theethanolicextractofunripepods yields a glycosidal fraction  which exhibits anti-inflammatory ac­tivity. Italsoshowssignificantantibac­terial activity.

The plant actsasan antiseptic agent for curing sores, gums and loose teeth. The flowers are the source of Cassie perfume.

Themainconstituentsoftheflowers are benzyl, anisic, decylic and cuminic aldehydes, as well as traces of geraniol, farnesol and linalool.