Health Benefits Of Tragacanth Gum Herb (Gond Katira)

Tragacanth gum is the sap of the thorny shrub tragacanth, which is a thorny and low-growing shrub. It is mostly found in the mountainous regions of the Middle East. Iran is the highest producer of this tree gum, which is also called Gond Katira in Hindi.

This gum is odorless, tasteless, and a water-soluble mixture obtained from the sap of the plant and then dried. Tragacanth gum has varied uses, which is not limited to consumption and includes uses in several other industries. Tragacanth Gum also an important part of Ayurvedic treatment due to its medicinal properties and offers different health benefits

Tragacanth Gum is derived from the roots and the stem of the plant by making an incision. The incision is generally made 5 cm below the ground level. The sap is then collected and dried as flakes or crystals. 

Health Benefits of Tragacanth Gum or Gond Katira

Several health benefits are associated with Tragacanth gum. The best part, however, is that this sap cools the body during summer and in winters, it heats up the body. Check out some health benefits of tragacanth gum below:

1. Treating heat stroke as the gum acts as a cooling agent. During summers, a drink can be prepared by soaking the gum in water and then making a drink out of it after it has become fluffy.
2. It is effective for treating constipation due to its purgative properties.
3. Tragacanth gum is effective in increasing libido and also for treating sexual inadequacy or weakness in men,
4. Gond Katira sap has anti-aging properties, which is beneficial for your skin health as it delays the development of wrinkles and fine lines.
5. Gond Katira gum is a part of herbal treatment for women who have small breasts and wish to increase their size.
6. Tragacanth gum is great for a new mother's health who becomes weak after delivery. It is said to be beneficial for both the mother and the baby.

How to Consume Tragacanth gum

Tragacanth gum can be a part of several food items that we consume on a daily basis. It includes:

• Dressings for salads, in sauces, mayonnaise as well as the base of condiments
• As a thickener for ice cream
• Used for making puddings as well as laddoos, especially during the winters
• As cake decoration flowers

Other Uses of Tragacanth gum

Apart from consumption for health benefits, Tragacanth gum is also used in several other industries. Some of the other uses include:

• Polish for leather goods or for leather dressing
• In textile print paste for silks and crepes
• For hardening calico
• In ointments and creams as thickener or lubricants, in lotions for hair or hand as it increases the shelf life
• In toothpaste as it acts as a suspending agent
• As adhesive in the cigar to secure it

Side Effects of Tragacanth gum

Since tragacanth gum herb has lots of health benefits but also you must be cautious about its side effects and also restrict the consumption amount. Some of the precautions include:

1. Consuming sufficient water to prevent choking or blockage in the intestine
2. Checking for sensitivity for natural gums or quillaia bark, which can cause breathing problem

In case you have a concern or query, you can always consult the best general physicians online & get answers to your question via online doctor consultation.