TAMARIND - HEALTH BENEFITS

Tamarind or Imli , is botanically known as Tamarindus Indicus, belongs to family leguminosae. It is a native of Africa, but is now grown in most tropical countries. It is found throughout India.

The mineral and vitamin content of tamarind are calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin, niacin, and vit. C. The pulp contains tartaric acid and other acids, sugars like invert and pectin. The ripe fruit or tamarind pulp is widely used in culinary preparations such as sambar, rasam, and chutney

Fruits, seeds, leaves and flowers are used.

MEDICINAL USES

Indigestion- It is an effective remedy for indigestion, loss of appetite, and tastelessness. Rasam- a soup of tomato with tamarind pulp, coriander seeds, black pepper, curry leaves, ginger and garlic , either drink straight or with plain steamed rice

Pulp of the ripe fruit is effective in the treatment of bilious vomiting, flatulence, and indigestion. It is also useful in constipation. An infusion of the pulp mixed in water is paticularly useful for loss of appetite and lack of inclination for food intake . For better results black pepper, cloves, cardamom and camphor may be added to the infusion after straining .

The ash obtained by heating the bark with salt can be given in doses of 6-12 centigram fort colic and indigestion with beneficial results

Fever- Make an infusion of one teaspoon  fruit pulp in one cup water and drink or a sherbet made by boiling its pulp in half a litre of milk, a few dates, cloves, sugar, cardamoms and a little camphor is effective in fevers

Sore throat- Dilute the pulp with warm water and gurgle. The medicine should be prepared by boiling tamarind in water. A powder of the dried leaves  can also be beneficially used as a gargle for sore throat. An infusion of the bark is equally useful for the purpose

Cold- Tamarind, pepper soup is considered an effective home remedy for colds. It is prepared by boiling a very dilute tamarind water in a teaspoon of hot ghee and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder for a few mts. This steaming hot soup has a flushing effect. It gives relief in common cold and also clears nasal blockage

Scurvy- Tamarind pulp , being rich in Vit . C, is valuable in preventing and curing scurvy

Dysentery- The tamarind milk drink is very useful in treating dysentery . Pulverised seeds with an equal quantity of cumin and sugar taken 2-3 times a day

Burns- The tender leaves of tamarind  are a useful  remedy for  treating burns. The leaves should be warmed over fire and powdered fixely. This preparation is useful  in removing any gritty particles. It is mixed  in gingely oil and applied on the burnt part. Wounds gets healed with in a few days

Blood clot/ swelling due to injuries- After removing the seeds and fibre , mix the pulp 3 teaspoons with one teaspoon  salt and half cup water. Mix throughly and heat the mixture in a container. When bearably hot  , apply on the affected areas . Wash with water the next day and repeat for 3 days

Edema- The leaves prevent edema and help in the growth of normal skin

Inflammation of joints- Crushed with water and made in to a poultice , the leaves are applied on inflamed joints and ankles. It reduces swelling and pain. The oil keeps the affected part well protected against moisture and entry of harmful germs

Diarrhea- Coverinf of tamarind seeds , dry ginger, rocksalt and yavani are mixed together and taken with fresh butter milk . It checks diarrhea quickly

Bleeding piles- The paste of tender leaves of tamarind is mixed with water , strained and added with salt. It is useful in bleeding piles.

Vegetable of tamarind leaves fried with oil and ghee, cooked in curd and pomegranate and added with dhanyaka and dry ginger should be given

Liquid gruel soured with tamarind is also useful

Cough- Epicarp of tamarind fruit 1 part, haridra 2 parts , sarjarasa 3 parts, punanava 1 part and jati leaves 9 parts- this is made in to a wick and fumigated. It relieves cough

Fracture- External application of the hot paste of tamarind fruit mixed with sour gruel and oil sudates and relieves pain and swelling

Fruit pulp of tamarind is finely pressed and mixed with lime . This is applied to the site of injury followed by fomentation

Eye- The juice of tamarind leaves mixed with milk is rubbed in a vessel and then applied to the eyelids. It allays redness, secretion, pain and congestion

Ear diseases- In earache , oil processed with  juice of tamarind is efficacious

Ringworm- Local application of the juice of tamarind leaves cures ringworm

Snake poison- Leaf juice of tamarind 160 ml mixed with  salt 20 gm is taken in snake poison