Tragacanth is a plant. The sap-like material (resin) of the plant is used to make medicine.
Botany
The tragacanth species comprises low-growing, thorny shrubs native to the mountainous regions of the Middle East. Gum tragacanth is obtained from the branches and taproots. The gum dries as it exudes and must be collected rapidly. The name "tragacanth" derives from the Greek words tragos (meaning "goat") and akantha ("thorn"), which describe the appearance and texture of the crude gum.
It is also an ingredient in toothpastes, hand lotions, denture adhesives
In foods, tragacanth is important for stabilizing and thickening ingredients in salad dressings, foods, and beverages.
In pharmaceutical products, tragacanth is used as a binding agent.