Wattle
Bark, also known as Acacia Bark (Acacia arabica), is obtained from
the chief of the Australian Wattles, the Black Wattle, and is collected from
wild or cultivated trees, seven years old or more, and must be allowed to mature
for a year before being used medicinally.
Wattle Bark contains from 24-42% of tannin (gallic acid). Wattle Bark's powerful astringency causes this herb to be extensively employed in the tanning industry.
Medicinally, Wattle Bark is employed as a substitute for Oak Bark. Wattle Bark has special use in diarrhea, mainly in the form of a decoction, the British Pharmacopoeia preparation being 6 parts in 100 administered in doses of 1/2 to 2 fluid ounces. The decoction also is used as an astringent gargle, lotion, or injection.
A liquid extract is prepared from the bark, administered in India for its astringent properties in doses of 1/2 to 1 fluid, but the use of both gum and bark for industrial purposes is much larger than their use in medicine. The bark, under the name of Babul, is used for tanning, and also for dyeing various shades of brown.
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