Karuvelam (Vachellia nilotica)

Karuvelam, babul in Hindi, is the gum arabic tree, a thorny native tree of dry India, Africa and the Middle East. Its twigs are a classic datun for cleaning teeth, its gum goes into winter gond laddoos, and its bark was used to tan leather. Tamil karuvelam is now often used for seemai karuvelam, the invasive mesquite, which is a different tree. Older books call babul Acacia nilotica.

Botanical name: Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb.
Family: Fabaceae
Tamil: Karuvelam
Hindi: Babul
Sanskrit: Babbūla
Parts used: Bark in lists, Gum, Pods
Habit: Thorny dry-country babul tree; Tamil karuvelam also names invasive mesquite
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Karuvelam

It is a small to medium tree with dark, rough bark and a rounded or flat crown.

Pairs of long, straight, white thorns grow at the base of each leaf.

The leaves are feathery and twice-divided into many tiny leaflets.

Bright golden-yellow flowers form round, fluffy balls on short stalks.

The pods are grey, hairy and pinched between the seeds like a string of beads; mesquite has yellow catkins and flat, unpinched pods.

Traditional use of Karuvelam

Household

Fresh babul twigs are chewed into a brush and used to clean teeth.

Indian village practice

Kitchen

The dried gum, gond, is fried in ghee and mixed into laddoos eaten in winter and after childbirth in North India.

North Indian food practice

Craft

The bark and pods are rich in tannins and were used to tan leather and dye cloth brown.

Indian craft practice

Modern notes on Karuvelam

Babul gum is a form of gum arabic, a natural thickener and stabiliser in foods.

Pods and leaves are a valuable dry-season fodder for goats and sheep.

Extracts of bark and twigs have been tested against mouth bacteria in laboratories.

It fixes nitrogen and is planted for fuelwood and soil improvement.

Karuvelam safety

The thorns cause painful wounds, so wear boots and gloves around it. Buy edible gond from a clean food source.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows wild from Africa through the Middle East to India, often on village tank beds and black soils.

Bees visit the yellow flowers, and goats spread the seeds in their dung.

It tolerates seasonal flooding as well as drought.

Related plants

Also in Fabaceae

Questions about Karuvelam

Is babul the same as seemai karuvelam?

No. Seemai karuvelam is invasive mesquite.

What is gond?

Edible gum from babul and similar trees.

How do I tell Karuvelam from mesquite?

Babul has round yellow flower balls and beaded pods.

Is babul native to India?

Yes.

Is Karuvelam used for teeth?

Yes. Its twigs are a common datun.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.