Gum Tragacanth

Gum Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from the dried and ground up sap of several species of Middle Eastern plants of Astragalus family, more commonly known as "goat's thorn" and "locoweed". The gum is sometimes called Shiraz gum, shiraz, gum elect or gum dragon. Iran is the biggest producer of the best quality of this gum.

Tragacanth has many uses in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paints, incense and cigar making. Common uses include;

Emulsifier and thickener: In foodstuffs and creams for skincare

Gelling agent: In foods and cosmetics

Textiles: Stiffener (like starch) for collars and fitted pieces

Burns: Made into a paste with water, as a natural treatment for burns

Pastel paints: As a binder to hold the pigments

Incense making: Very cost effective binder to hold the powdered herbs together

Cigar making: Used as an adhesive to secure the cap or "flag" leaf to the cigar body