Witnessed by: Western · Unani
Gum Tragacanth (Astragalus gummifer), of the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. A low, dense, spiny cushion-forming shrub of rocky mountain slopes; native range: the dry mountains of Iran, Kurdistan and Asia Minor. Globally recognized as katira in Arabic, and tragacanth, goat's thorn in English. The part used is dried gummy exudate (gum), tapped from incisions in the stem and root. Pale, horn-like flakes or curled ribbons, odourless and nearly tasteless, which swell into a thick, slippery mucilage in water without fully dissolving.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
GUM TRAGACANTH
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Gum Tragacanth
- Scientific name
- Astragalus gummifer Labill.
- Family
- Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Form
- Part used
- dried gummy exudate (gum), tapped from incisions in the stem and root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- mucilaginous · bland
- Unani
- bland
Temperature
- Western
- cool, moist (Galenic: 1st degree)
- Unani
- cold, moist (1st degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- lungs · digestion · bowels · mucous membranes
- Unani
- lungs · intestines · bladder · stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- demulcent, emollient, mild bulk laxative, pharmaceutical suspending and emulsifying agent, pectoral
- Unani
- mulayyin (emollient laxative), mughazzi (demulcent, coats and soothes), dafi-e-suaal (relieves cough)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- oesophageal or intestinal stricture, where the swelling gum risks mechanical obstruction if not taken with sufficient fluid
- Toxicity
- essentially inert and very safe; occasional contact dermatitis reported among gum-handlers
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