Tamarind Health Benefits

Tamarind is an easily available, inexpensive condiment. It can be an effective home remedy for infections, fevers, common cold, fractures, earache, conjuctivitis, scurvy, offensive body odours, diarrhea, burns and sprains.

Tamarind Origin

The tamarind pulp is an essential ingredient in Indian cooking. The fruit comes from a tree that is large with small compound leaves, yellowish flowers with reddish streaks and fleshy, brown fruits. The pulp contains pectin and tartaric acid. Tamarind has many medicinal virtues.

Tamarind Medicinal Properties

The Tamarind Root Barks have astringent, emmenagogue and constipating properties. The leaves are astringent, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, anti fungal and diuretic in nature. The fruits have refrigerant, digestive, carminative, laxative and antiseptic qualities.

Tamarind Home Remedies

It is used to treat the following conditions:

• A Natural Remedy For Infections, Fevers and Cold

  Tamarind leaves and pulp are effective in treating infections, cold and fever. You can consume a decoction of tamarind leaves and turmeric for this. Alternatively a tamarind sherbet made from tamarind pulp, milk, cloves, sugar and cardamom can be consumed. Tamarind rasam is also a popular remedy. Boil a dilute tamarind pulp decoction with some ghee, black pepper powder and salt. This opens up the pores and the nasal blockage is cleared. Read other Cold Home Remedies.

• Tamarind Heals Fractures

  Tamarind helps bone heal. Tamarind pulp is mixed with sesame oil and warmed. This is applied as a poultice on the fracture.

• Earache Relief

  Instill warm tamarind decoction to soothe the pain and for its antibiotic property.

• Tamarind Prevents Cancer

  Tamarind is a good source of antioxidants, mainly vitamin C, flavanoids, carotenes, vitamin B complex, etc. These antioxidants can help fight cancer. Tamarind can be added to the diet as a preventive medicine.

• Cure For Conjuctivitis

  Wash the eyes with the tamarind seed decoction. The polysaccharide present in the seeds will soothe the eye.

• A Natural Cure for Scurvy

  The tamarind pulp is rich in Vitamin C and is useful in treating this condition. A thin decoction of the pulp can be consumed with some sweetener or salt and pepper.

• Relief From Offensive Body Odour

  Soak a towelette with tamarind decoction and pat it on the sweaty parts. This helps close the pores and prevent body odor.

• Diarrhoea Medicine

  The tamarind pulp is laxating, but the seeds are an astringent! Consume a ground mixture of tamarind seeds and cumin seeds to tighten the bowels. Read other Indigestion Home Remedies.

• Tamarind is Soothing on Burns

  Roast the tamarind leaves dark brown and grind it with sesame oil. Apply this mixture on the burn to promote quick healing and less scarring.

• Tamarind Heals Sprains

  Boil some tamarind in hot water to create a slushy mixture. Add salt to this and apply on the swelling or sprain.

Indian Language Glossary:

English	Latin	Sanskrit	Hindi	Marathi	Tamil	Telugu	Malayalam	Kannada
Tamarind tree	Tamarindus indicus	Cinca, Tintrini	Imli	Chincha	Puli Amilam	Chintapandu	Puli, Kolpuli	Huli, Amli