Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
Shrub or tree in the Fabaceae family. Recorded native range: Tropical and southern Africa to India. The listed pharmacopoeial material is exuded gum (gum arabic). Kew places the inventory name under Senegalia senegal.
Also known as: Senegalia senegal
Check the species, plant part and complete botanical name together. A photograph alone cannot identify a harvest safely for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Pharmacopoeial material: exuded gum (gum arabic)
The listed material is exuded gum, not bark or a leaf infusion. Kew accepts the name Senegalia senegal. This notice infers no therapeutic indication.
The references do not establish a benefit. Lack of evidence is not assurance of safety.
Read the sourceGum arabic: metabolic research
The authors reported changes in fasting glucose, blood pressure and digestive symptoms. Substantial dropout and multiple endpoints; no reduction in cardiovascular events was demonstrated.
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- Insufficient dataThis targeted audit does not provide a comprehensive contraindication review; this does not mean contraindications are absent.
Medicine interactions
- Insufficient dataThis dossier cannot establish compatibility with medication. A limited study does not replace an interaction review of the exact product.
Other retained warnings · review incomplete
These existing warnings remain relevant to consult. Their exhaustive reassessment is outside this targeted review.
Restrictions and precautions
- This botanical dossier does not establish medicinal-use safety. Anyone with a medical condition or taking medicine needs professional assessment of the specific product.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions have not been sufficiently assessed in the sources retained for this notice; an incomplete assessment guarantees no compatibility.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
No medicinal use is offered during pregnancy or breastfeeding; this dossier cannot establish safety in these situations.
No paediatric preparation or dose is offered in this notice.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- This notice does not provide a complete adverse-effect assessment. Historical use alone cannot exclude toxicity.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
No medicinal use is offered during pregnancy or breastfeeding; this dossier cannot establish safety in these situations.
Children & adolescents
No paediatric preparation or dose is offered in this notice.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Forms & how they are used
DOCUMENTED FORMS
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
Studied preparation — documentary referenceExuded gum (gum arabic) · Route: not recommended for self-treatment
Oral gum arabic supplement, not bark tea.
Please note: Research description only; no self-treatment dose, recipe or duration is offered.
Read the sourceAvailable evidence
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
The available evidence.
This reference concerns a defined preparation of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.. Findings come from participants studied in a specific setting and do not validate every preparation of the plant.
Gum arabic: metabolic research
Effects on markers justify neither a weight-loss promise nor replacing treatment.
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
Read the referenceLimitations to keep in mind.
Effects on markers justify neither a weight-loss promise nor replacing treatment.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Gum arabic: metabolic research — 2021
A human study may be positive, negative or inconclusive. Read the findings, preparation and limitations.
- Type of research
- Randomised single-blind placebo-controlled trial in adults at metabolic risk.
- Preparation concerned
- Oral gum arabic supplement, not bark tea.
- Observed results
- The authors reported changes in fasting glucose, blood pressure and digestive symptoms.
- Limitations to consider
- Substantial dropout and multiple endpoints; no reduction in cardiovascular events was demonstrated.
What can we take from this?
Substantial dropout and multiple endpoints; no reduction in cardiovascular events was demonstrated. Interactions, pregnancy and long-term use require separate assessment.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- ANSM — French Pharmacopoeia, List A, January 2026, p. 2Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew POWO — Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Jarrar AH et al. (2021) — The Effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical TrialAccessed on 09/10/2026
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