Acacia concinna herb Shikakai pods use in medicine

The benefits of Acacia concinna are extracted from the pods of the shrub. Acacia Concinna grows in abundance in the hot, dry climates of Central Asia and the Far East. The pods of this plant are rich in saponins which are foam forming substances. Acacia concinna is known in Ayurvedic medicine as Shikakai.

Acacia concinna for hair
The fruit pods, leaves and bark of Acacia Concinna are dried, powdered and made into a paste at home. While this paste does not produce the normal amount of lather that a regular shampoo would, it is a good cleanser.

Vaccine and immune system
Immunological adjuvant activities of saponin extracts from the pods of Acacia concinna.
Int Immunopharmacol. 2006 Nov. Kukhetpitakwong R, Hahnvajanawong C, Homchampa P, Leelavatcharamas V, Satra J, Khunkitti W. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Pods of Acacia concinna (Leguminosae) contain several saponins. In this study, four saponin fractions which were acetone fraction (AAC), aqueous fraction (WAC), hydromethanolic fraction (HAC) and methanolic fraction (MAC) were generated and their haemolytic activities and surface activities were determined in comparison with quillaja saponin (QS). In conclusion, the results indicated that MAC at a dose of 40 microg could be used as vaccine adjuvant to increase immune responses.

Constituents of Acacia concinna pods
Pods of Acacia concinna (Leguminosae) contain several saponins including kinmoonosides A-C, triterpenoidal prosapogenols named concinnosides A, B, C, D, and E, together with four glycosides, acaciaside, julibroside A1, julibroside A3, albiziasaponin C, and their aglycone, acacic acid lactone.

Home 5htp benefit side effects dosage