Babool, or Vachellia nilotica, belongs to the family of Leguminosae. It is a mid-sized, thorny perennial plant found in the sandy and dry regions of India. With a series of beneficial antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, astringent, properties, there is a wide range of uses of Babool for therapeutic purposes.

This article focuses on how to use Babool, its significant benefits, precautions to take while using it and people who need to avoid using it. 

Babool has great recognition in the dental healthcare field owing to its amazing power in promoting dental and oral health. However, it offers various other health benefits too. They are as follows:

• Promotes Oral Health: Chewing a few pieces of Babool plant's bark can promote oral health. Apart from strengthening your teeth, it can heal your gums since it is rich in astringent properties. It has the power to fight germs and bacteria that cause dental cavities, tooth decay and gum diseases. Burning the peel and pods to get ash and using it for brushing your teeth can lessen toothache.
• Can Treat Diarrhoea: One of the many uses of Babool is its potency in curing diarrhoea. Using the bark of Babool can help treat diarrhoea because the astringent property of Babool helps eliminate the toxins that generate in the body caused by indigestion. It can also boost metabolism, strengthen the intestine, and control loose motion.
• Helps Control Cancer: In a medical study, the flower, gum and extract of Babool leaf were examined to find its anti-cancer action. It has been found effective in lessening the growth of cancer cells and tumour growth and thus can be used to control cancer. However, cancer is a life-threatening health condition which requires proper diagnosis and treatment. So, it is always a good idea to consult a physician before making any decision.
• Acts as an Antioxidant: Babool is a highly effective source of natural antioxidants, as per a scientific study. Babool's antioxidant properties can help treat Diabetes, inflammation and cancer. The phenolic compounds found in Babool might be the source of its antioxidant property. This natural compound may battle against the free radicals that harm you as they are associated with numerous ailments, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
• Boosts Libido: A natural aphrodisiac found in the pods of Babool can be used as a traditional remedy to enhance sexual desire and energy in both males and females. Moreover, it can be beneficial to treat various other sexual issues, such as premature ejaculation. Having the mix of a pod in powder form with honey two times a day can help boost the quality of semen and treat common sexual problems in men.
• Treats Diabetes: It is found that the extract of Babool can work to lower the blood glucose level. It can also help lessen cholesterol and triglycerides. Diabetes is a serious health condition and needs proper diagnosis and management. Therefore, it is wise to consult a doctor before using Babool for treating diabetes.
• Heals Mouth Ulcers: One of the medicinal uses of Babool is that its soft leaves can be helpful in healing mouth ulcers. Similarly, you can use it to relieve pain, stop bleeding gums, and strengthen your teeth.
• Stops Hair Fall: Babool leaves are highly beneficial in stopping hair fall and promoting hair growth. Consider applying the paste extracted from Babool leaves on your scalp and let it sit there for around 15-20 minutes. Then, wash it with warm water along with the shampoo. Doing so can stimulate your hair growth and prevent hair fall.
• Promotes Skin Health: Using the leaves of Babool helps to heal skin-related problems such as drying skin, flakiness and itching. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiseptic properties of Babool leaves might be beneficial in treating different skin conditions. In addition, the Babool leaves help to sustain the skin's liveliness and glow.
• Lessens Cough and Cold: The bark of Babool can be beneficial in treating various symptoms related to cough and cold. It also helps alleviate a sore throat. In addition, the compounds in the plant can help liquefy the excess mucus while giving relief from cough and cold.
• Joins Fractured Bones: The gum of Babool can work effectively to lessen arthritis pain. It can also aid in joining fractured ends of bones with its natural healing compounds.

To get the best medicinal uses of Babool you can follow the methods mentioned below:

• Take ½ to 1 teaspoonful of Babool powder that comes from its bark with a cup of hot water. You can consume it by mixing with tea or honey one to two times a day.
• Consuming ½ -1 teaspoonful of the powered form of Babool bark, leaves, or pod can help get relief from leucorrhoea.
• You can chew Babool bark or take it in liquid form by boiling the bark with water that helps lessen cough.
• The juice or paste of the Babool leaves can be used to lessen the redness and swelling of the eye.
• An effective and easy way to derive the benefit of Babool is by consuming 1-2 of extract capsules along with water after meals.
• You can also take ¼ to ½ teaspoonful of Babool gum in powder form, mix water to it and boil it for 2-3 minutes and consume once daily.
• Chewing Babool bark or twig is an effective way to improve your overall dental and oral health.

There are some noteworthy uses of Babool which you can get while utilising it. However, remember that, like other Ayurvedic herbs, Babool has some side effects too.

Like other Ayurvedic plants Babool is well known for its benefits in the medical field. However, it also has some notable side-effects. They include:

• Nausea
• Bloating
• Loose motion
• Conjunctivitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Rash

You can easily avoid the above-stated side effects by following some precautionary measures.

Following are the precautions one must follow before consuming Babool:

• If you have any respiratory issues, consult your doctor before consuming Babool
• Avoid taking this herb while having constipation
• During breastfeeding, stay away from consuming Babool
• Avoid taking Babool during pregnancy

Furthermore, there are some individuals who must avoid Babool altogether to stay away from its side effects.

Considering the precautions in mind, people who must stay away from consuming Babool are as follows:

• Individuals suffering from allergies
• People suffering from respiratory illness
• Person having nausea

So, here are the top health benefits and the uses of Babool that have made a strong impact in the medical world. If you want to opt for the Ayurvedic treatment of Babool, make sure you are entirely aware of its nature, features, side effects, benefits, and preventive measures.