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Babbula

Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile (syn. Vachellia nilotica)

Babbula (Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile (syn. Vachellia nilotica)) is a plant drug, also called Babbulah, Barburah and Bavari, from the Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) family. Gum Arabic from Acacia species is approved by WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius as food additive (E414).

Key facts
Botanical nameAcacia nilotica (L.) Delile (syn. Vachellia nilotica)
Currently accepted nameVachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb., the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use
FamilyFabaceae (Mimosoideae) · other entries in this family
OrderFabales
Pharmacopoeia statusGum Arabic from Acacia species is approved by WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius as food additive (E414). Acacia nilotica is listed in various African and Indian pharmacopeias. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India as Babbula.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2978421 · Wikidata Q1621617 · NCBI Taxonomy 138033
Names in other languages
Sanskritबब्बूलः (babbūlaḥ), बर्बुरः (barburaḥ), बावरी (bāvarī), Kinkirata, तीक्ष्ण कण्टक (tīkṣṇa kaṇṭaka), वर्वुरः (varvuraḥ), युग्मकण्ट (yugmakaṇṭa)
Hindiबबूल (babūla), Babura, कीकर (kīkara)
EnglishBabula tree, Indian gum arabic tree
Tamilகருவேலம், Karuvel, Karuvelan, கருவேல்
MalayalamVelutha Karuvelan
TeluguNallatumma, Thumma
KannadaKari gobli, Kari Jail, Pulai Jali, Sharmeeruka
MarathiBabhul
BengaliBabla
GujaratiBaval, Kaloabaval
PunjabiKikkar
OriyaBabula
AssameseBabala
KashmiriSak

Sources: API Vol I, BABBŪLA (Acacia nilotica subsp. indica), Sanskrit: Bāvarī, Kinkirāta; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); DDSA Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary and Monier-Williams, per wisdomlib 'babbula': "Babbula (बब्बुल) or Babbūla (बब्बूल).—Acacia Arabica"; MMPND Sorting Acacia, A. nilotica subsp. indica, SANSKRIT: बब्बूलः Babbulaha; Pandanus, Sanskrit: barbura, babbūla; MMPND Sorting Acacia, Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, HINDI: बबूल Babool, Babul, Desi babul; Pandanus record for Acacia nilotica, Hindi: babūl, bābur; API Vol I, BABBŪLA, Hindi: Babula, Babura; Platts p.889 gives babūl as the synonym of kīkar for Acacia arabica; Monier-Williams and DDSA Practical Sanskrit-English Dictionary, per the wisdomlib entry for 'varvura' (वर्वूर): "A kind of tree (Acacia Arabica)", with references to the lexicographers Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha and Hemacandra; also Böhtlingk & Roth. Corroborated by Pandanus record for Acacia nilotica, Sanskrit: barbura, babbūla, and MMPND SANSKRIT: Barburah; Nighaṇṭuprakāśa, per the wisdomlib entry for 'tikshnakantaka' (तीक्ष्णकण्टक), which lists Acacia arabica among its identifications, and also Vachellia nilotica subsp. tomentosa; Pandanus record for Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile, Sanskrit: barbura, babbūla; MMPND Sorting Acacia, A. nilotica subsp. indica, SANSKRIT: Barburah; Monier-Williams attests varvūra = Acacia Arabica citing Amarasiṃha, Halāyudha, Hemacandra; Pandanus record for Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile, Tamil: karuvēlam, karuvē; MMPND Sorting Acacia, A. nilotica subsp. subalata, TAMIL: Karuvai, Karuvel, Karuvelam; API Vol I, BABBŪLA, Tamil: Karuvelan, Karuvel; Platts p.889: "کيکر कीकर kīkar, s.m. The tree Acacia (or Mimosa) arabica (syn. babūl): — kīkar-kā goṅḍ, Gum of the acacia, gum arabic"; API Vol I, monograph BABBŪLA (Acacia nilotica (Linn) Willd. ex Del. sp. indica (Benth) Brenan), Hindi: Babula, Babura, Kikar, Punjabi: Kikkar; MMPND Sorting Acacia, Acacia nilotica subsp. indica, HINDI: बबूल Babool, Babul, Desi babul, कीकर Kikar; Tamil Lexicon p.767: "கருவேல் karu-vēl, n. கரு-மை +. [M. karuvēlam.] Black babul, s. tr., Acacia arabica", with a Patārttaguṇa 462 citation; API Vol I, BABBŪLA, Tamil: Karuvelan, Karuvel; Wisdomlib entry for 'yugmakanta' (युग्मकण्ट), citing 'Local Names of Plants and Drugs' and Quattrocchi's CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: defined with Acacia nilotica / Vachellia nilotica subsp. tomentosa, family Mimosaceae. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2015 to 2024, every one with a DOI.

  • 6Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 6Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishBabbula
Latin/BotanicalAcacia nilotica (L.) Delile (syn. Vachellia nilotica)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Gallic acid
  • Protocatechuic acid
  • Catechin
  • Epigallocatechin-7-gallate
  • Epigallocatechin-5,7-digallate
  • Pyrocatechol
  • Niloticane (diterpene)
  • Arabinose
  • Rhamnose
  • Palmitic acid
  • Arachidonic acid
  • 3,4,7-Trimethylquercetin

How does it work?

  • Antimicrobial activity via polyphenol-mediated (gallic acid, catechin) disruption of bacterial cell wall synthesis and enzyme inhibition
  • Anti-inflammatory action through tannin-mediated inhibition of COX-2, LOX and suppression of NF-kB nuclear translocation
  • Antidiarrheal effect through tannin astringent action on intestinal mucosa and inhibition of intestinal secretion
  • Antidiabetic activity via polyphenol-mediated alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Traditionally used for dental and oral hygiene (babool datun). Studies have reported antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens.
  • Traditionally used for diarrhea. Animal studies using castor oil-induced diarrhea models have reported anti-diarrheal activity, attributed to the astringent action of tannins.
  • Traditionally used for wounds. Studies have reported antimicrobial and astringent activity and promotion of collagen synthesis.
  • Traditionally used for diabetes. Preclinical studies have reported alpha-amylase inhibition and hypoglycemic effects.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Bark and gum are widely used in traditional oral hygiene (babool toothpaste/datun)
  • Tannin-rich preparations may reduce iron and mineral absorption with chronic high-dose use; should be taken separately from mineral supplements and iron medications

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Catechin
  • Gallic acid
  • Protocatechuic acid
  • Epigallocatechin-7-gallate
  • Epigallocatechin-5,7-digallate
  • Pyrocatechol
  • Niloticane
  • Arabinose
  • Rhamnose
  • Palmitic acid
  • Arachidonic acid
  • 3

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (bark powder), Kashayam (bark decoction), Niryasa (gum, Babool gum), Tablet, Capsule, Manjan (tooth powder), Kwatha (concentrated decoction), Lepa (bark paste, external)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g bark powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 1-3g gum with water; tooth powder as needed for dental hygiene

Optimal Timing: Bark decoction as gargle morning and evening for oral health. Internal: before meals for digestive astringent action. Tooth powder at bedtime.

Storage: Bark powder in airtight containers, cool and dry. Gum in dry, ventilated storage, susceptible to insect infestation (fumigate naturally with neem). Below 25°C, RH < 60%.

Marker Compounds: Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Catechin, Epicatechin, Niloticane, Arabinose (gum), Galactose (gum), Methylgallate, Condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins)

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Khadira for oral health and Mukhapaka (stomatitis)
  • Traditionally combined with Haridra in external pastes applied to wounds
  • With Yashtimadhu for GI mucosal protection
  • With Triphala for dental and gum health
  • Traditionally combined with Lodhra for leucorrhea and as a uterine tonic

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews6

  1. Hafez LO, Brito-Casillas Y, Abdelmageed N and others. 2024. The Acacia (Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H. Hurter & Mabb.): Traditional Uses and Recent Advances on Its Pharmacological Attributes and Potential ActivitiesNutrients. PMID 39770900 · doi:10.3390/nu16244278
  2. Batiha GE, Akhtar N, Alsayegh AA and others. 2022. Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Actions, and Pharmacokinetics of Genus AcaciaMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36364163 · doi:10.3390/molecules27217340
  3. Al-Nour MY, Ibrahim MM, Elsaman T. 2019. Ellagic Acid, Kaempferol, and Quercetin from Acacia nilotica: Promising Combined Drug With Multiple Mechanisms of ActionCurrent pharmacology reports. PMID 32226726 · doi:10.1007/s40495-019-00181-w
  4. Ogawa S, Yazaki Y. 2018. Tannins from Acacia mearnsii De Wild. Bark: Tannin Determination and Biological ActivitiesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 29621196 · doi:10.3390/molecules23040837
  5. Bhushette PR, Annapure US. 2017. Comparative study of Acacia nilotica exudate gum and acacia gumInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 28390831 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.03.178
  6. Jadoon S, Karim S, Bin Asad MH and others. 2015. Anti-Aging Potential of Phytoextract Loaded-Pharmaceutical Creams for Human Skin Cell LongetivityOxidative medicine and cellular longevity. PMID 26448818 · doi:10.1155/2015/709628

Laboratory and animal studies6

  1. Vivekanandhan P, Alharbi SA, Ansari MJ. 2024. Toxicity, biochemical and molecular docking studies of Acacia nilotica L., essential oils against insect pestsToxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology. PMID 38677379 · doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2024.107737
  2. Baz MM, El-Shourbagy NM, Alkhaibari AM and others. 2024. Larvicidal activity of Acacia nilotica extracts against Culex pipiens and their suggested mode of action by molecular simulation dockingScientific reports. PMID 38486053 · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-56690-2
  3. Khalaf SS, Shalaby OA, Hassan AR and others. 2023. Acacia nilotica stem bark extract ameliorates obesity, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance in a rat model of high fat diet-induced obesityJournal of traditional and complementary medicine. PMID 37396158 · doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.03.005
  4. Hessien M, Taha A, Da'na E. 2022. Acacia nilotica Pods' Extract Assisted-Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO-CuO NanocompositesMaterials (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35329744 · doi:10.3390/ma15062291
  5. Kaur P, Arora S, Singh R. 2022. Isolation, characterization and biological activities of betulin from Acacia nilotica barkScientific reports. PMID 35672366 · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-13338-3
  6. Zhao Z, Brand E, Kwan HY and others. 2018. Clarifying the origin of HouzaoChinese medicine. PMID 29743936 · doi:10.1186/s13020-018-0182-0

Reference lists that include it

Catechin, Ellagic acid, Gallic acid

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.