Babool Leaves ( Barg-e-Babool )برگ ببول

Description

Description:

Babool Leaves / Barg-e-Babool (برگ ببول) are also known as Acacia Nilotica, is used by herbalists to treat fever, gonorrhea, diarrhea, diabetes, eye-watering, dysentery, excessive bleeding, blood clotting and leucorrhoea.

Potential Uses of Babool for Alzheimer’s disease:

In a study, conducted by Crowch and Okello 2009 stated that babool had inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, may be helpful in managing Alzheimer’s disease.2 However, human studies are required to confirm its effectiveness on Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, it is essential first to consult a doctor and only use babool as a herb for Alzheimer’s.

Potential Uses of Babool for malaria

The water extract and ethyl acetate extract of babool was evaluated for antimalarial activity in an animal model by Malviya et al. 2011, and both exhibited antimalarial activity. The extract of babool was found to have the highest anti-malarial activity against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.4 However, these studies are done on animals and not on humans. Therefore, we require more information on its safe usage on humans.

Potential Uses of Babool for digestion:

Babool may have shown anti-ulcer potential when tested on different animal models. The phenolic compounds present in babool might be responsible for the antiulcer activity.2 In another study by Agunua et al. 2005, babool was tested for anti-diarrhoeal activity in animals. Initially, babool showed a relaxation effect followed by a contraction effect in the jejunum (middle part of the small intestine) of the animals. It also showed a 100% reduction from diarrhoeal infection in another animal model.5 Therefore, it might indicate that babool may be beneficial for managing symptoms of diarrhoea.

However, this research is insufficient as these studies are not done on humans. Hence, more studies on humans are required to suggest the potential use of babool for digestion. Therefore, it is essential to first speak with your doctors and only use babool as a medicine.

Potential Uses of Babool for diabetes:

Studies have seen the blood glucose lowering activity of babool extract, in an animal model studied by Kharya et al. 2010. The results showed that the babool extract might have a blood glucose lowering effect. It exhibited a reduction in blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol.2 This means it may help lower the risk of heart diseases as well. Diabetes is a major health condition and requires appropriate diagnosis and treatment from a professional doctor. Therefore, human trials of babool are necessary to provide its potential usage for managing blood sugar levels in humans.

Potential Uses of Babool for heart:

The antihypertensive activity of babool was tested in an animal model and humans (Gilani et al. 1999). The extract of babool was found to lower the arterial blood pressure and give antihypertensive activity.2 In human studies conducted by Omaima et al. 2016, a drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in participants with type 2 diabetes. This suggests that babool may be a potentially useful agent to lower blood pressure, especially in persons with diabetes.5 However, these studies are insufficient and more new studies are required. Therefore, people should take advice from a doctor to stay updated about the latest benefits related to any herb.