Both the African and Australian varieties have tannin-rich bark. Preliminary account of Acacia usage by Aborigines in part of the Great Sandy Desert, Western Australia.  pp. Professional chefs frequently use it for enhancing flavors of a number of desserts, creams, ice creams, chocolates, granolas, breads and sauces. (2001). Wattle is a subsidiary brand of Home Control AS. Wattle Day's popularity surged around the time of World War I. For over 6000 years aboriginal people used to parch and mill wattleseed from around 100 species of Acacia, to make a coarse flour which was then baked into seed cakes. A. aneura), weapons and implements. Hegarty, M.P., Hegarty, E.E. Pouring an acacia-infused tea on cuts is an especially effective remedy. The first species ever discovered … Health Benefits. … The poultice was then held firmly over painful areas such as the head or small of the back to relieve the aches from colds and flu. Of these, wattleseeds, leaves or timber of over one hundred species have been used by Indigenous Australians for thousands of years as food, medicine or materials for tools and weapons. Materials with this property are often used to reduce irritation and inflammation. One of the more important uses is the oil that is found in the leaves and can be used as an antiseptic. A green dye is obtained from the seed pods. (1995). Using acacia for coughs can keep your throat from becoming sore as well as ease or prevent symptoms, including losing your voice. Marrfurra, P. Scientists are trying to find out its medicinal properties, in fight against cancer. Acacias provided a range of traditional foods; from seed to sweet gums to the animals (or their products) that used them for shelter and food. Traditional use of Acacia by indigenous Australians. Most of the time, the acacia in food or medicine is Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to May. Wattles produce edible seeds and nutritious flour can be made from the crushed seeds of several species. Uncooked seed from a small number of species were plucked from the pods and eaten raw as a ‘snack food’ (e.g. Latz, P. Bushfoods and Bush Tucker. This can be helpful for stopping heavy bleeding and washing bacteria from the cut. Traditional uses and benefits of Silver wattle The essential oil is soothing and reducing the nerves, astringent and antiseptic. Acacia gum has a naturally sticky texture. Through trial and error over the last 65,000 years or so, indigenous Australians developed detailed knowledge about which acacias they found best for particular uses. IAD, Alice Springs, NT. Grounded seeds and pastes are used to flavor breads, muffins, desserts, pancake batter etc. Leaves and pods of acacias were rubbed with water to produce a soapy lather for washing (A. auriculiformis, A. holosericea, A. leptocarpa). Infusion - preparation made by pouring boiling water onto finely divided material and leaving it for some time to steep before straining without pressing the residue – best used fresh. The gum has been shown to be especially effective in easing stomach or throat discomfort. (eds) Australian Dry-Zone Acacias for Human Food. (1993). Wednesday 5 August 2020, Historic photos of Wattle Day celebrations in Australia, Choirs and wattle songs (lyrics, music & recordings), Colour in your own Wattle Badge or Wattle picture, Meet the Wattle Day Association Committee, Wattle Day Association Inc. Strategic Plan 2020 – 2022, How the Wattle Day Association began in 1998, Submission to the Australia 2020 Summit (19-20 April 2008), List of current members and WDA membership form. In arid areas of Australia, seed from about 40 acacia species was used for food (Devitt 1992), although some, such as A. victoriae (Gundabluey) were preferable to others. Other uses of Golden Wattle: A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers. They used acacias routinely for a very wide range of purposes: from food and medicines, to utensils such as digging sticks and barbs, weapons (clubs, shields, boomerangs, spear throwers, spear shafts and heads), for musical instruments such as clap sticks; firewood, ash, glues, string, dyes and waterproofing, sandals and head decorations, ceremonial items and seasonal signals. The gum excreted from the wattle tree bark was also used, put in water with a high nectar flower such as the bottle brush to make a natural cordial like a … List of various diseases cured by Acacia Decurrens. Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory, Darwin. This high tannin content also helps in the treatment of mouth ulcers and throat inflammations. One study conducted on rats showed that Acacia arabica could potentially treat diabetes in the future. A green dye is obtained from the seed pods. 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