A precious gift from the Saharan lands

Used in food, cosmetics, herbal medicine, and even medieval illumination, gum arabic remains one of the most versatile natural ingredients. Known for its high water solubility, it can be used to create supple textures, stabilize emulsions, and extend the shelf life of plant extracts.

Description

Pieces of translucent resin, white to light amber in color, neutral to slightly sweet flavor, mild and vegetal odor.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Gum arabic, Acacia gum, Acacia resin
• Latin name: Gommi acaciae (mainly Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal )
• Family: Fabaceae (Legumes)
• Part used: Exuded resin
• Shape: Loose pieces
• Origin: Sahelian Africa (Sudan, Senegal, Chad)
• English name: Gum arabic
• Name in German: Arabisches Gummi
• Name in Spanish: Goma arábiga
• Name in Italian: Gomma arabica
• Name in Arabic: صمغ عربي

Main virtues

Used to thicken, stabilize, emulsify and protect natural food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations. It is also used in traditional crafts (painting, ink).

Main constituents

Complex polysaccharides (arabinan, galactan, rhamnose), minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium), trace amino acids.

Use and dosage

• Food use: Dilute hot or cold in water (typical dosage 1 to 5% depending on the desired effect).
• Natural cosmetics: Stabilizer in natural gels, creams and toothpastes.
• Phytotherapy: Neutral support for dry extracts, plant powders or traditional lozenges.
• Crafts: Natural fixative for pigments, binder for watercolor and gilding.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Generally very well tolerated. Rare possibility of respiratory allergic reactions in people sensitive to fine dust.
• Respect the recommended dosages for optimal food or cosmetic use.

History and origin

From ancient Egypt to medieval illuminators, gum arabic has been a valuable ingredient for stabilizing inks, binding pigments, and protecting plant-based preparations. Its artisanal, tree-friendly harvesting makes it a sustainable and traditional resource.

Miscellaneous information

• Packaging: food grade kraft bag or airtight jar.
• Storage: in a cool, dry place, away from humidity and light.
• Shelf life: 2 to 3 years under ideal conditions.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Codex Alimentarius – Gum Arabic
• Saharan Acacia Resin Traditions – Ethnobotanical Archives

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

Disclaimer

The Apophycaire brand, the aromacentre.fr website, and SAS LPBE disclaim all liability for the use of the information on this site. Each individual is responsible for the use of these products and must ensure that their use is appropriate for their health.