Sweet Thorn
Vachellia karroo · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (21 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Sweet Thorn, scientifically known as Vachellia karroo, is a versatile medicinal plant native to Southern Africa. Renowned for its hardy nature, various parts of this acacia are utilized in traditional healing to treat ailments ranging from skin infections and inflammation to digestive issues and respiratory distress, offering significant therapeutic potential.
Names
Common Names
- Sweet Thorn
- karroothorn
- karrothorn
- sweet-thorn
- Acacia
- Cape Acacia
- Cape Mimosa
- Cape Thorn
- Cape Thorn Tree
- Cape Thorn-Tree
- Cape gum
- Gum-Arabic Tree
- Karoo Mimosa
- Karoo Thorn
- Mimosa Gum Arabic Tree
- Mimosa Thorn
- Sour Thorn
- Sour-Thorn
- Sweet Thorn Acacia
- Sweet-Thorn Acacia
- Thorn Tree
- Umbrella thorn tree
- White Galled Acacia
- White Whistling Thorn
- White-Thorn
- Whitethorn
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Aromo Sudafricano
German:
- Karoo-Dorn
- Weissdorn
French:
- mimosa odorant
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Vachellia karrooSynonyms
- Mimosa capensis
- Acacia hirtella
- Mimosa reticulata
- Acacia dekindtiana
- Acacia karroo var. transvaalensis
- Acacia reticulata
- Acacia horrida var. transvaalensis
- Acacia inconflagrabilis
- Acacia karroo
- Acacia hirtella var. inermis
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Vachellia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Vachellia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions within Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing in the Balearic Islands, which are part of the Baleares archipelago. Its range also extends to the island of Corse and the territory of Sardegna. Additionally, the species is present in Portugal. Finally, it is documented as growing within the borders of Spain.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Karoo aloe, utilizes various anatomical structures for its medicinal properties. The thick, succulent leaves are often employed in traditional remedies to treat skin ailments or digestive issues due to their moisture-retaining properties and chemical composition. The roots are also highly valued and are frequently prepared as decoctions to address internal ailments and inflammatory conditions. Additionally, the bark of the plant can be harvested to create infusions used for its specific therapeutic effects, making the entire structure of Vachellia karroo a vital resource in indigenous medicine.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances & environmental engineering (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Vachellia karroo has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Phytosterols, Proanthocyanidin, Tannin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phenols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytosterols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proanthocyanidin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Terpenes | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flavonoids
- Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
Phenols
- Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
Phytosterols
- Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
Proanthocyanidin
- Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
Tannin
- Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
Terpenes
- Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine
Activities
Vachellia karroo has 5 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimalarial, Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| herbal medicine | Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |