ARABIAN GUM

6th May 2024

Photo Credit: JalpaMalam (Getty Images), CANVA

QUOTATION

Speak of me as I am. Nothing extenuate,

Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak

Of one that loved wisely, but not too well;

…

of one whose subdued eyes,

Albeit unused to the melting mood,

Drops tears as fast as the Arabian trees,

their medicinable gum.

OTHELLO: Othello, Act 5, Scene 2

ARABIAN GUM (Senegalia senegal)

The Arabian tree which produced Gum Arabic is probably Senegalia senegal. Gum Arabic can be made from other types of Acacia but this species has traditionally been harvested for gum. John Gerard (1597) describes a type of Acacia, the Egyptian Thorne, a tree growing in Egypt, Palestina, Lombardy and Syria as the source of ‘Gum of Arabia’ or ‘Gum Arabick’. The hardened resin was used in medicine for a range of problems including eye and skin complaints, St Antony’s Fire, Shingles and burns.

Senegalia senegal is native to Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsular and India. It is a member of the Legume Family (FABACEAE).

More Information

Folger Shakespeare: Search Shakespeare’s Works

Gerard, J. 1597 The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes (1636 edition accessed via Archive.org)

Kew Plants of the World Online: Senegalia sengal