8 Amazing Health Benefits of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica)

8 Amazing health benefits of tamarind

Tamarind’s ripened fruits taste sweet and sour, are used for medicinal and culinary preparations, and are found in every South Asian Kitchen. Tamarind is good for constipation and acts as a blood purifier, improving blood quality. However, the consumption of raw fruits can lead to acidity and hyperacidity. Here, we will discuss some of the important medicinal benefits of Tamarind for health and well-being.

1. Prevent constipation: The sticky pulp of Tamarind is a rich source of dietary fibre, facilitating bowel movements, thus helping to get rid of constipation. These fibres also protect the colon’s inner lining from toxins, reducing the impact of cancer-causing chemicals.  Eating 10-20 grams helps in bowel movements, and tamarinds act as natural laxatives. You may like: Best yoga poses for constipation 
2. Control heart rate: Tamarind contains iron, potassium, calcium, copper, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. Potassium is good for strengthening the heart, while iron helps form blood. Its pulp lowers cholesterol and promotes a healthy heart.
3. Painkiller: When the mix of pulp, leaves, and flowers is applied over swollen and painful joints, it provides instant relief. Tamarind leaves crushed in water are used to treat the inflamed part. Please also Read: Natural Painkillers
4. Used as medicine: It is effective in treating fevers and sunstroke and good for paralysis too.  It is helpful for throat gargling and is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
5. Good appetiser: The recipe of tamarind, jaggery, salt, and chillies is a good appetiser and also effective for digestion. Its pulp is softened in water and consumed to enhance appetite. Being acidic, it stimulates bile and other juices in the body.  Dilute tamarind decoction kills stomach worms in children.
6. Check stomachache, diarrhoea, and vomiting: The mixture of ripe tamarind + onion juice + ginger juice, when taken in the dose of 30 ml, eases the symptoms of stomachache, gaseous problems, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
7. Thirst quencher: The syrup of tamarind and sugar is an effective thirst quencher. It also helps to ease the burning sensation.
8. Nutrition: It contains tartaric acid, rich in vitamin C, cures scurvy and protects from colds.  Its seeds are used as eye drops to fix eye problems. A decoction of tamarind is used in cases of jaundice and ulcers. It is also full of antioxidants and helps to fight free radicals and cancer.

What are the different side effects of eating tamarind?

• It can show allergic reactions.
• Damages tooth enamel
• Induces acid reflux
• Promotes vasoconstriction or narrowing of the blood vessels.
• Interacts with antibiotics
• Produces laxative effects
• Sometime, it makes the weaver’s cough worse.