Gum Tragacanth (Astragalus gummifer, Astragalus spp.) is a small thorny, scraggly shrub in the pea family which produces a gum resin that is valued for many industrial, medicinal and food applications.
Although Gum Tragacanth can be produced by other species of Astragalus, A. gummifer is often believed to be the original source.
In foods, Gum Tragacanth is mainly used as a food additive for use as a thickener for sauces and salad dressings, but also as an emulsifier to give water/oil based foods (like ice cream) the right texture.
Gum Tragacanth is most importantly used in the manufacture of jelly candies, to give a jelly consistency, like gum drops! Gum Tragacanth is considered GRAS in the US as an emulsifier.
Industrial applications of Gum Tragacanth are numerous, but mainly based on its use for thickening products, such as dyes, glues, paints, and also a binder for making lozenges.
Gum Tragacanth is also used in the manufacture of incense sticks as a fragrant resin to bind the other woody powders and fragrant materials and for it to burn evenly.
It has also been used in crafts such as calligraphy and textile printing due to its gel forming properties.
Medicinally, Gum Tragacanth is used in traditional and modern medicines, and has both topical and internal uses.
Topically, it is used for its demulcent property, soothing burns and irritated tissues.
Internally, Gum Tragacanth is useful for soothing the throat and for coughs, it has also been used for promoting immune system health, and also for its anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antinociceptive activities.
Through scientific investigation, Gum Tragacanth has been found to exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and wound-healing activities.
In agroforestry, it can help improve soil as it has nitrogen fixing ability and can be tapped regularly, as well as used for fire wood.
One study demonstrated that tragacanth gum nanoparticles loaded with curcumin enhanced its bioavailability and sustained its antioxidant activity, showing potential for drug delivery systems. Another study highlighted the gum’s effectiveness in accelerating wound closure in animal models, suggesting its utility in chronic wound management.
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*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.