Acacia catechu (Acacia catechu)

The Acacia catechu, also known as the catechu, catechu, catechu, cutch tree, black catechu or gum catechu, is a tree native to Asia and belongs to the berry family. It is characterised by its deeply sunken roots, pale yellow flowers and double drupes. It has a wide range of uses, with all parts of it being used in various forms, whether it be bark, wood, leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds or gum. In its place of origin, the plant is used in traditional medicine, but also in the food, textile and furniture industries.

The uses of the tree are very diverse. Acacia catechu bark is used in medicine, where it acts as an astringent. It is part of some medicines for the treatment of diarrhoeal diseases and skin infections, but also for the treatment of gingivitis and oral inflammation. Acacia catechu wood is very hard and resistant to termites, which makes it widely used in carpentry and construction, for example for furniture, wooden structures and flooring. The bark and wood also yields a material known as catechu or katechu, which is used as a dye for leather and cotton. It is also used in the food industry as a natural dye, for example in confectionery. Because of its astringent effect, catechu is also used in cosmetics, where it is a component of some hair and mouthwashes and face masks. The gum obtained from the bark is also used as a glue.