Gum Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from the sap that exudes near the roots of thorny Astragalus plant species. It is a valuable and traditionally used gum that serves as a natural thickening agent in food products and as a binding agent in pharmaceutical formulations. It is also valued for its beneficial effects in hair-thickening creams and shampoos.
The gum is water-soluble, odorless, and brittle, which makes it easy to grind into powder. Higher-quality grades are typically white and more fragile, while lower grades are less white in color and tend to be thicker and more resilient.