Tamarind

Tamarind Overview Information

Tamarind is a tree. Its partially dried fruit is used to make medicine.
People take tamarind for constipation, liver and gallbladder problems,
and stomachdisorders. It is also used to treat colds and fever. Women sometimes use
tamarind to treat pregnancy-related nausea. It is given to children to treat intestinal
worms.
Sometimes a thick paste of tamarind seeds is used as a cast for broken bones.
An extract of tamarind seeds is used in eye drops for dry eyes.
In foods and beverages, tamarind is used as flavoring. It is also widely used in Asian
cooking for chutneys and curries.
How does it work?
Tamarind contains ingredients that might have laxative effects and some activity against
certain fungi and bacteria.
Researchers are studying tamarind as a possible treatment for dry eyes because it
contains a chemical that is similar to mucin found in the eye. Mucin helps protect and
wet the surface of the cornea.

Uses & Effectiveness

Health Benefits
o

Tamarind has multiple benefits as cathartic, febrifuge, antiseptic and refrigent.

Tamarind is used as an Ayurvedic medicine for gastric problem, digestion

problems and cardio protective activity.
o
Tamarind can be used as a mild laxative. The pulp which comes from the pods of
the tamarind tree is a gentle laxative that improves general sluggishness of the
bowels. One to two tablespoons of the pulp in evening can improve bowel
movements.
o
Tamarind is very useful to treat bilious disorders. Being acidic it excites the bile
and other juices in the body.
o
Tamarind leaves are used in herbal tea for reducing malaria fever.
o

Tamarind lowers cholesterol level in the body and helps in promoting healthy
heart.
o
Sore throat is treated when gargled with dilute tamarind pulp.
o

Decoction of tamarind leaves is useful in treating jaundice and ulcers.

Dilute tamarind decoction can help in destroying the stomach worms in children.

Tamarind protects from Vitamin C deficiency.

Tamarind heals the inflammation of the skin to great extent.

Tamarind seeds are used in preparations of eye drops that treat dry eye
syndrome.
o
Being a good source of antioxidants, tamarind helps fight against cancer.
o

Juice extracted from tamarind flowers are used for treating piles

Tamarind is used as blood purifier.

Medicinal Benefits of Tamarind Paste:

As tamarind is available in many forms, one can use tamarind paste for treating several
health conditions. Below is a list of some medicinal benefits of tamarind paste:

o Reduces skin infections

o Pink eye or conjunctivitis

o Boils

o Dry eyes

o Colic

o Diabetes

o Cold

o Severe dysentery

o Chronic diarrhea
o Gall bladder disorder
o Fever
o Indigestion
o Jaundice
o Liver disorders
o Bile disorders
o Gingivitis
o Keratitis or swelling of the cornea
o Leprosy
o Poisoning
o Paralysis

o Pregnancy related vomiting and

nausea
o Production of saliva in the mouth
o Rheumatism or reduction of pain in
the joints
o Sores
o Skin disinfection
o Sunstroke
o Sun screen
o Healing of wounds
o Blood tonic
o Preventing progression of fluorosis
o General body pain
o

Urinary stones

o Nutritional Value of Tamarind:

o

Following are nutritional values present in 100 grams of tamarind.

Calories 239

Pantothenic Acid 0.143 mg

Protein 2.8 gm

Niacin 1.938 mg

Carbohydrates 62.5 gm

Folate 14 mg

Fat 0.6 gm

Dietary fiber 5.1 g

Phosphorus 113 mg

Fat 0.6 g

Iron 2.8 mg

Protein 2.8 g

Calcium 74 mg

Energy 239 kcal

Vitamin C 2 mg

Potassium 628 mg

Niacin 1.2 mg

Sodium 28 mg

Riboflavin 0.14 mg

Zinc 0.1 mg

Thiamin (vitamin B) 0.34 mg

Selenium 1.3 mg

Vitamin A 30 IU

Phosphorus 113 mg

Vitamin K 2.8 mg

Magnesium 92 mg

Vitamin E 0.1 mg

Copper 0.86 mg

Pyridoxine 0.066 mg

Calcium 74 mg

Carotene 18 mg

o
o

o
Insufficient Evidence for:

Dry eyes. Developing research shows that eye drops containing tamarind seed
extract might improve symptoms of dry eye.

Constipation.

Colds.

Fever.

Liver and gallbladder problems.

Stomach disorders.

Pregnancy-related nausea.

Intestinal worms.

Other conditions.
o

o Tamarind Side Effects & Safety

o
o

o Tamarind is safe when used in food amounts. There isn't enough information
available to know if tamarind is safe for use as a medicine.
o

o Special Precautions & Warnings:

o Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Tamarind is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts should be
avoided until more is known.

o Tamarind Interaction

Aspirin interacts with TAMARIND

o Taking tamarind with aspirin might increase how much aspirin the body
absorbs. This could increase the amount of aspirin in the body and might increase
the chance of aspirin side effects.
Ibuprofen interacts with TAMARIND
o Taking tamarind with ibuprofen might increase how much ibuprofen the body
absorbs. This could increase the amount of ibuprofen in the body and might
increase the chance of ibuprofen side effects.

o
o
o