Gum arabic
Scientific names: Acacia senegal, Acacia arabica, Acacia verek, Mimosa senegal, Senegalia senegal
Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae
Alternate names: Acacia, Acacia Gum, Arabic Gum, Arbre à Gomme Arabique, Bum Senegal, Bomme Arabique, Bomme de Senegal, Bummae Momosae, Goma Arábiga, Gomme Acacia, Gomme Arabique, Gomme d'Acacia, Gomme de Senegal, Gomme Sénégal, Gommier Blanc, Gum Acacia, Gum Senegal, Gummae Mimosae, Indian gum, Khadir, Kher, Kumatia
Actions: Antimicrobial, Gastrointestinal, Weight loss
Background
Gum arabic is the gum that is exuded from certain trees, such as the Acacia senegal tree. It's a source of dietary fiber that can dissolve in water.
Gum arabic tends to make people feel full, so they might stop eating earlier than they otherwise would. This might lead to weight loss and reduced cholesterol levels.
Gum arabic is used for high cholesterol, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse gum arabic with Acacia rigidula, acai, or cassie absolute (Acacia farnesiana). These are different plants with different effects.
Gum arabic tends to make people feel full, so they might stop eating earlier than they otherwise would. This might lead to weight loss and reduced cholesterol levels.
Gum arabic is used for high cholesterol, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse gum arabic with Acacia rigidula, acai, or cassie absolute (Acacia farnesiana). These are different plants with different effects.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Gum arabic is likely safe when consumed in amounts commonly found in food. Gum arabic is possibly safe when taken as medicine. Up to 30 grams daily has been used safely for 6 weeks. It can cause minor side effects, including gas, bloating, and nausea.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gum arabic is safe when applied to the skin or what the side effects might be.
Cross-allergies: People with known allergies to quillaja bark might have a reaction to gum arabic.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gum arabic is safe when applied to the skin or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if gum arabic is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Cross-allergies: People with known allergies to quillaja bark might have a reaction to gum arabic.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using gum arabic for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of gum arabic might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Gum arabic can prevent the body from absorbing the antibiotic amoxicillin. To prevent this interaction, take gum arabic at least four hours before or after taking amoxicillin.
Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Gum arabic contains fiber. Taking gum arabic at the same time as medications that you take by mouth can affect how much medication the body absorbs. To prevent this interaction, take gum arabic at least one hour after medications you take by mouth.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 17/06/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 13/09/2022 04:49:44. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
