Tamarind is a good dietary item in convalescence and helps treat sore throat, rheumatismal pain, indigestion and many other ailments.

Botanical: Tamarindus indica L.

Family: N.O. Leguminosae (Fabaceae)

Synonym: Tamarin, Sampalok, Imlee, Tamar hindi, Tamarindus officinalis (Hook).

Habitat:

Tamarind is native to Asia and tropical Africa. It grows wild throughout the Sudan.

Description:

Tamarind is an evergreen, tropical tree that grows up to 20 meters in height.

The fruit, a brown pod-like legume, contains soft acidic pulp with many large, hard-coated seeds. The pulp dehydrates to a sticky paste enclosed by coarse stands of fiber.

Part Used Medicinally:

The fruits, seeds, pulp, leaves, and bark

Constituents:

Tamarind is rich in calcium, vitamin B and C. It also contains citric, tartaric and malic acids, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, gum, pectin and fiber.

The pulp is rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.

The seeds contain starch, albumin, and semi-drying oil.

Medicinal Uses:

Tamarind has cathartic, astringent, febrifuge, antiseptic, refrigerant properties.

It is effective in treating sore throats and aids sensory restoration in paralysis cases.

Tamarind improves gingivitis, digestion and flatulence. It aids against allergy and memory loss.

Tamarind infusion is a refreshing summer drink. Tarmarind tea reduces malaria fever.

Tamarind pulp is good for convalescence to maintain a slightly laxative action of the bowels.

The pulp has antiscorbutic, antiseptics and vermifuges properties and therefore helps treat dysentery, jaundice, erysipelas, hemorrhoids, vomiting and motion sickness.

The pulp can alleviate sunstrokes, Datura poisoning, alcoholic intoxication and rheumatismal pain. It is also a good sore throat gargle.

Tamarind extracts are effective in treating conjunctivitis.

A decoction of tamarind leaves helps treat jaundice and expel worms in children.

Tamarind bark decoction mixed with salt is effective in asthmatic attacks.

Dried or boiled tamarind leaves and flowers are used as poultices for swollen joints, sprains and boils.

Lotions and poultices made from tamarind bark can treat on open sores and caterpillar rashes.

Powdered tamarind seeds are effective in chronic diarrhea and dysentery.

Eye drops made from tamarind seeds are effective in treating dry eye syndrome. These polysaccharide drops are more effective in alleviating symptoms such as blinking trouble, ocular burning, and the sensation of having something in one's eye.

Tamarind seed extract is effective in lowering blood cholesterol and sugar levels.

An infusion of tamarind roots is effective in chest complaints, scabies and leprosy.

Caution:

No drug interaction has been reported for tamarind.

Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran