Astragalus adscendens, A. gummifer, A. brachycalyx, and A. tragacanthus
also known as Goat’s Thorn, Locoweed, Shiraz Gum, Gum Elect or Gum Dragon
Gum Tragacanth is a viscous, odourless, tasteless, water-soluble mixture of polysaccharides obtained from the sap of several species of Middle Eastern Astragalus roots
The sap is drained from the root of the plant and dried. The gum seeps from the plant in twisted ribbons or flakes which can be but doesn’t have to be powdered. It absorbs water to become a gel, which can be stirred into a paste. The gum is used in veg-tanned leatherworking as an edge slicking and burnishing compound and is occasionally used as a stiffener in textiles.
It is used in pharmaceuticals and foods as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, and texturant additive (code E413).
Also, it is the traditional binder used in the making of artists’ pastels, as it does not adhere to itself the same way other gums (such as gum arabic) do when dry. Gum Tragacanth is also used to make a paste used in floral sugarcraft to create life-like flowers on wires used as decorations for cakes. It makes a paste which dries brittle in the air and can take colourings. It enables users to get a very fine, delicate finish to their work. Additionally, it has traditionally been used as an adhesive in the cigar rolling process used to secure the cap or flag leaf to the finished cigar body.
The Gum is less common in products than other gums, such as gum arabic or guar gum, largely because most Tragacanth is grown in Middle Eastern countries which have shaky and largely unstable trade relations with countries where the gum is used. Commercial cultivation of Tragacanth plants has generally not proved economically worthwhile in the West, since other gums can be used for similar purposes.
Gum Tragacanth is also used in incense making as a binder to hold all the powdered herbs together. Its water-solubility is ideal for ease of working and an even spread. Only half as much is needed, compared to gum arabic or something similar.
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We aim to despatch within 2 working days of receipt of order but will inform you if this differs for some reason for any product you may have ordered. We use a tracking service which requires your parcel to be signed for and you will be able, in many instances, to track the progress of your package from door to door.
Orders to destinations outside the EU will have a customs and excise declaration - customers from outside the UK should make themselves aware of any local restriction on imported plant material and the Natural Herbalist can accept no liability for custom and excise intervention in your order at transit or delivery stage.
PLEASE READ – IMPORTANT
ALL ORDER WILL ONLY BE DESPATCHED USING TRACKED AND SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WHERE APPROPRIATE (some countries provide tracked OR signed for only rather than both)
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TRACKING NOT ONLY INFORMS YOU OF WHERE YOUR PARCEL IS BUT ALSO IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS WITH DELIVERY THAT ONLY YOU CAN CORRECT SUCH AS MISADDRESSED PARCELS, NOT BEING IN WHEN YOU HAVE TO SIGN FOR THE PARCEL OR RE-ARRANGING A DELIVERY TO SUIT YOUR SCHEDULE.
AVOIDING USE OF TRACKING WILL ONLY LEAD IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES TO YOU LOSING YOUR ORDER WHERE YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED BY THE CARRIER TO COMPLETE DELIVERY.
PLEASE USE THE TRACKING SERVICE – IT IS SIMPLE AND EASY TO USE AND WILL HELP YOU AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
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YOU WILL BE REQUIRED BY YOUR DOMESTIC POSTAL SERVICE TO SIGN FOR YOUR PARCEL UPON ITS DELIVERY – IF YOU ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO SIGN FOR YOUR PARCEL YOUR DOMESTIC CARRIER WILL LEAVE A NOTICE FOR YOU TO CONTACT THEM REGARDING YOUR ARRANGEMENT FOR A MORE SUITABLE TIME FOR DELIVERY OR YOUR COLLECTION OF THE ITEM FROM THE SORTING OFFICE – THEY WILL NORMALLY ALLOW UP TO THREE WEEKS FOR YOU TO ACCOMPLISH THIS.
IF, FOR SOME REASON, YOU DO NOT RE-SCHEDULE A SUITABLE TIME FOR YOUR LOCAL CARRIER TO RE-DELIVER YOUR PARCEL, IT MAY BE RETURNED ULTIMATELY TO US. THIS IS BY NO MEANS CERTAIN AND ALWAYS TAKES LONGER THAN THE OUTWARD JOURNEY BUT ONLY UPON RECEIPT OF THE RETURNED PARCEL WILL A REFUND ON THE PURCHASE PRICE BE MADE. WE WILL NOT SEND THE ITEMS AGAIN NOR REFUND THE ORIGINAL CARRIAGE CHARGE.
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