Babul (Gum Arabic Tree)

Babul, or gum arabic tree, is a thorny, medium-sized tree of the legume family with dark rough bark, feathery bipinnate leaves, round yellow flower heads and beaded, grey pods. It is native to Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, and grows in drier parts of India.

The bark, gum and pods are used. Ayurveda calls it Babbula, and babul twigs have long been used as tooth-cleaning sticks. The bark is traditionally used in oral care and skin care preparations, and the gum in confectionery.