Handbook of Energy Crops. Some feel that the thorn bush of Exodus 3 was Acacia nilotica , the fire, the parasite Loranthus acaciae. Pods were used by the ancient Egyptians. Trees tapped for gum arabic. Tender pods and shoots used as vegetable, and used as forage for camels, sheep and goats, especially in Sudan, where it is said to improve milk from these animals.
Seeds are a valuable cattle food.
Roasted seed kernels, sometimes used for flavoring and when crushed provide the dye for black strings worn by Nankani women. Trees used in Sudan for afforestation of inundated areas. Folk Medicine Zulu take bark for cough, Chipi use root for tuberculosis. Masai are intoxicated by the bark and root decoction, said to impart courage, even aphrodisia, and the root is said to cure impotence. Astringent bark used for diarrhea, dysentery, and leprosy.