Gond Katira (also known as Tragacanth gum) is a natural gum obtained from the dried sap of several species of the Astragalus plant, mainly found in the Middle East and parts of Asia, including Iran, Iraq, and India. It is widely used in traditional medicine, cosmetics, food preparation, and even textiles.

🧪 Scientific and Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Astragalus gummifer, Astragalus microcephalus, etc.

Common Names: Gond Katira (Hindi/Urdu), Tragacanth gum, Dragon gum, Gum Elect

Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)

Part Used: Dried sap/gum exuded from the plant’s bark

Physical Characteristics

Appearance: Translucent, odorless, ribbon-like flakes or crystals

Color: Off-white to yellowish or light brown

Texture: Brittle when dry; swells and becomes jelly-like in water

Taste: Bland or slightly sweet

🌊 How It Reacts in Water

Gond Katira swells up to 30–50 times its volume when soaked.

Becomes a gel-like substance — ideal for cooling drinks, desserts, and medicinal purposes.

🩺 Medicinal and Health Benefits

Gond Katira has been used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Persian medicine. Here are its key benefits:

  1. Cooling Agent

Acts as a natural body coolant — popular in summer drinks like sharbat.

Prevents heat strokes and dehydration.

  1. Digestive Health

Soothes the stomach lining and aids in digestion.

Mild laxative — helps relieve constipation.

  1. Reproductive Health

Used as a postpartum tonic in Indian households.

Believed to boost male virility and female fertility in Unani medicine.

  1. Anti-inflammatory

Helps reduce swelling, especially in cases of burns or injuries (external application).

Sometimes used for joint pain and arthritis.

  1. Weight Gain

A calorie-dense food that helps in healthy weight gain, especially for the underweight.

  1. Skin Benefits

Used in traditional cosmetics to treat acne, sunburn, and dryness.

Helps retain moisture and improve elasticity.

🍽️ Culinary Uses

Common Preparations:

Sharbat (sweet drinks): Soaked Gond Katira mixed with rose syrup and milk or water.

Ice creams and jellies: Natural thickener and emulsifier.

Laddoos and barfis: Combined with edible gums, nuts, and ghee — especially for postpartum recovery.

Kheer (rice pudding): To enhance texture and richness.

🧴 Cosmetic and Industrial Uses

Used in creams, lotions, and face masks for its hydrating and anti-aging effects.

In the textile industry, it serves as a thickener or stiffening agent.

Also used in inks, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals.

🛑 Precautions & Side Effects

Not recommended in excess — can cause bloating or gas due to high fiber.

Should be properly soaked before consumption; raw pieces can be hard to digest.

People with allergies to legumes or gums should avoid it.

🧊 How to Use Gond Katira

Soak 1–2 teaspoons in water overnight or for at least 5–6 hours.

It will expand into a jelly-like form.

Rinse well before using in food or drink to remove any impurities or smell.

🏪 Where to Find It

Available at Ayurvedic stores, herbal shops, Indian grocery stores, and online.

Often labeled as “Tragacanth Gum” or “Edible Gum”.

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