Arabic Gum

Arabic Gum, Gummi arabicum or Gummi Acaciae, is obtained from Acacia Senegal Willd. (Acacia Verek Guillemin-Perot.) of the mimosa family (Mimosaceae). In commerce, there are two types: cordofan gum arabic and senegal gum arabic. Both appear as more or less rounded pieces of varying size, yellowish or brownish in color, slightly translucent, covered with fine cracks; the fracture is shell-like with a glassy luster; it has no odor and a mucilaginous taste; it dissolves in 2 parts of water. It consists of potassium, calcium, and magnesium salts of arabic acid. It is used in medicine for preparing emulsions, lozenges, pills, pastes, etc. It is an ingredient in the preparations Mucilago gummi arabici, Mixtura gummosa, Purvis gummosus. Arabic gum is prescribed as a protective coating for the mucous membrane of the digestive tract against irritation, to soften the taste of bitter and acidic substances, to slow the absorption of medicinal substances, and in cases of poisoning by cauterizing substances.