When Lydian got pregnant, she and I searched for books and literature online about herbs that are safe for pregnancy but found that most books aren't very well organized or informative. So we started collecting information about herbs that can be used during pregnancy. Acacia senegal is one of these herbs, but it should still be used with caution.Acacia senegal / Acacia arabica / Arabic gum: Pregnancy-Safe Herbs
"The Natural Women's Health Guide... to Pregnancy - BUY HERE!"
Acacia belongs to the Pea family and the Mimosa subfamily. Acacia plants have primarily been studied in terms of their effects on pregnancy in animals. However, it is a common ingredient in processed foods and it is a cosmetics additive so it is a common part of many people’s daily routine, especially for women who regularly consume processed foods. Of course, in women who eat a clean diet, free of processed foods, Acacia / Arabic Gum intake will be lower in the diet. Use Acacia in therapeutic doses that are appropriate during pregnancy. This pregnancy-safe herbal remedy should only be used for short-term treatment in the amounts commonly found in foods during pregnancy. Note that Acacia can inhibit iron absorption in the body. This can be a serious problem if a woman takes Acacia long-term, on a regular basis -- it could lead to anemia and other serious health problems for the mother or the infant. Acacia can also cause weight loss which is, of course, undesirable during pregnancy. As such, you must use Acacia with caution during pregnancy. Take it according to the dosing instructions below and only use this herb on an as-needed basis. As the mother of a pregnant woman, I would only administer this herb if I did not have access to other pregnancy-friendly herbs with the desired medicinal quality I was looking for. During pregnancy, a woman's body changes dramatically, especially in terms of her organs of detoxification (the liver and kidneys, for example). This changes the way the body responds to treatment with herbs and other medicines. But, I would use Arabic Gum / Acacia if my pregnant daughter was suffering from a serious disease like tuberculosis or smallpox, hepatitis, fever, or even a respiratory illness and this was the only herb that I had available to me. If I were able to find and obtain an herb like Melissa officinalis, I would rather use this herbal remedy to treat chronic conditions like gestational diabetes. Herbal remedies like Acacia can be valuable if you live in an area of the world where Melissa officinalis is not available, however. This herb is administered orally to treat the following health conditions during pregnancy:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- High Cholesterol
- Gestational Diabetes
- Obesity
- Detoxification
- Dental plaque
- Gingivitis
- Sore Throat
- Cough
- Bronchitis
- Diarrhea
- Lung Congestion
- Common Cold
- Fever
- Diseases of the Gallbladder
- Smallpox
- Tuberculosis
- Reduces liver inflammation / hepatitis
- Enhances blood clotting
- Leukemia
- Leprosy
Arabic gum / Acacia can also be administered topically to treat the following during pregnancy:
- Skin inflammation
The Conditions of Pregnancy Living Database, BETA Release - NOW AVAILABLE! Click here to learn more...Acacia Dosage During Pregnancy:
To get rid of dental plaque during pregnancy, chew acacia gum for 10 minutes up to 3 times every other day for up to 10 days.The normal dose of Acacia in NON-PREGNANT adults is 30 grams per day for up to 6 weeks. At this high dose, people often experience gas, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. If you are pregnant, start with a much lower dose of Acacia to avoid these symptoms, which are already a problem during gestation. You should only take this herb for acute or serious illness because of this herb's effects on nutrient absorption. Start with 1 gram of Acacia twice daily and increase the dose by 1-2 grams per day for up to 7 days. Be mindful that you administer your iron supplement at a separate time of day from when you take your Acacia supplement.
When to Avoid Acacia
Acacia is contraindicated in those with asthma, allergy to rye grass or other grass pollens. Do not take Acacia with amoxycillin or antidiabetic medications. Do not combine Acacia with other hypoglycemic herbs because Acacia’s hypoglycemic effects may be strengthened in unpredictable ways by other hypoglycemic herbs.UPDATE 2023: Note that one can remineralize teeth using a coconut oil-toothpaste recipe along with vitamin K2 / MK-7 supplements. Althea officinalis contains calcium and phosphorus to heal cavities safely during pregnancy. Click here to read more about how to heal cavities naturally using vitamin K2 / MK-7.
Click here to subscribe to the Living Database!
Resources:
• Motherfigure (n.d.). The Basics on Acacia Senegal Gum. Retrieved April 16, 2023 from https://motherfigure.com/safe-skincare/acacia-senegal-gum/
• Health Effects of Acacia and Its Side Effects. Retrieved April 17, 2023 from https://www.epainassist.com/articles/health-benefits-of-acacia-and-its-side-effects
