wattles
Acacia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (43 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Wattles, scientifically known as Acacia, is a diverse genus of flowering plants celebrated for their vibrant blooms and therapeutic potential. Renowned for their resilience, various species offer medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. From traditional indigenous healing to modern pharmacology, Acacia remains a vital resource in botanical medicine.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Leaf · Seed
- Common names
- Wattles · Wattle
- Scientific synonyms
- Hecatandra · Adianthum · 6 more
Names
Common Names
- wattles
- wattle
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- acacias
German:
- Akazien
- Akazienholz
- Akazie
- Akazien
French:
- mimosa d'hiver
- mimosa des fleuristes
Scientific Names
Accepted name
AcaciaSynonyms
- Hecatandra
- Adianthum
- Chithonanthus
- Zigmaloba
- Tetracheilos
- Drepaphyla
- Racosperma
- Cuparilla
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Acacia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Acacia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be found within Great Britain. Moving toward Southwestern Europe, it is located in the Baleares and Corse. The species also extends across the mainland in France. Finally, its range continues through the coastal areas of Portugal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Acacia, is highly valued in traditional medicine due to the diverse therapeutic properties found within its various components. The leaves are often utilized for their soothing properties, while the herbs or entire aerial parts of certain species are processed to create medicinal infusions. One of its most significant contributions is the production of gums, specifically the thick, resinous gum known as gum arabic, which is widely used as a stabilizer and soothing agent. Furthermore, certain species yield precious seed oils that are extracted for their nourishing and healing applications in topical treatments.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Analytical biochemistry (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Acacia has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Amines, Condensed Tannins, Fatty acids, Fluoroacetate.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Amines | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Condensed Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fatty acids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fluoroacetate | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hydrolyzable Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Kessane | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenes | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chrysin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flavonoids
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Metabolites
Amines
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Condensed Tannins
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Fatty acids
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Fluoroacetate
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Hydrolyzable Tannins
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Kessane
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Tannins
- Metabolites
Terpenes
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
chrysin
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
Activities
Acacia has 8 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Anthelmintic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Acacia has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include adiposity, burns, cancer, diarrhea, inflammation.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| adiposity | Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| burns | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melanoma | Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mood disorders | Frontiers in psychiatry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| substance dependence | Frontiers in psychiatry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| viral infections | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| honey | Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AAq | Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acacia honey | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extracts | Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| decoctions | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts of Acacia and Eucalyptus leaves | Analytical biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infusions | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |