Introduction: 

Tamarind, scientifically known as Tamarindus indica L., belongs to the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae). It is cultivated almost throughout India. Tamarind is a multipurpose plant as almost all parts of the tree are used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and textile industries. Tamarind is a plant with many medicinal benefits owning to the vast variety of active compounds present in it. The name ‘tamarind’ comes from the Persian word ‘tamar-i-hind’, meaning ‘date of India’, as it was first thought to be produced by an Indian palm. It is known as ‘amlika’ in Sanskrit, indicating its ancient presence in the country. The tamarind tree is also mentioned in the Indian Brahmasamhita scriptures between 1200 and 200 BC. At present, the tamarind tree is considered to have originated in Madagascar. It is cultivated in Africa, Asia, Australia and America.^1,2 

Nutritional Value of Tamarind: 

Tamarind has good nutritional value. As per the World Health Organization, tamarind fruit is rich in all essential amino acids (except tryptophan). The nutritional value of raw tamarind per 100 grams is as follows:^2,3 

Table 1: Nutritional value of tamarind per 100 g 

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Therapeutic Uses of Tamarind:  

Tamarind is a rich source of many phytochemicals and essential amino acids, and hence it has many therapeutic uses.² The therapeutic properties of tamarind are given below. 

• Anthelminthic (expels worms) 
• Antiviral  
• Antioxidant 
• Antifungal  
• Antibacterial  
• Wound healing  
• Carminative (relieves gas) 
• Laxative (cures constipation) 
• Expectorant (helps clear mucus from the throat) 
• Blood tonic (supplement usually consumed to produce more blood in the body) 
• Antiulcer 
• Anti-diabetic 
• Anti-asthmatic 
• Anti-pyretic (reduces fever)¹ 

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Benefits of Tamarind:  

Tamarind is beneficial for many health conditions because of its high nutritional value and therapeutic activities. The benefits of tamarind for health conditions and organ systems are given below.  

1. Benefits of tamarind for the heart 

Tamarind is a good source of flavonoids. Consuming flavonoids from fruits and vegetables is good for the heart. Consuming tamarind might help prevent a heart disease called atherosclerosis, in which there is a deposition of fatty material on the inner walls of blood vessels.² The pulp of tamarind fruit is an excellent source of potassium which helps in controlling the heart rate and blood pressure. Tamarind is also rich in carotene, which helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels harmful to the heart.⁴  

2. Benefits of tamarind for the immune system 

Tamarind is a rich source of many nutrients, especially vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenes, and vitamin B complex. These compounds possess potent antioxidant activity. These nutrients are beneficial in improving and strengthening the immune system.⁴ 

3. Benefits of tamarind for iron deficiency anaemia 

Tamarind fruit drink can help to manage iron deficiency anaemia as it contains vitamin C, which increases the bioavailability of iron in the body. Tamarind can also be used as a blood tonic. Blood tonics are supplements which are consumed to improve the formation of blood cells.¹ 

4. Benefits of tamarind for stomach and the liver 

Tamarind fruit is used as a laxative. Tamarind fruit content causes muscle relaxation, thereby helping in the management of diarrhoea. Tamarind seeds have antioxidant effect and protective role against free radicals. Thus, they show a protective effect on stomach ulcers.² 

Most liver diseases are caused due to apoptosis (programmed cell death). In acute alcohol-induced liver toxicity, tamarind leaves showed anti-apoptotic and liver-protective effect.² 

5. Benefits of tamarind for cancer 

Tamarind is a rich source of many antioxidant compounds. Antioxidant activity is considered beneficial for many health conditions like cancer. In cancer, there is oxidative damage. The seed extract of tamarind has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, thereby helping to deal with cancer.² 

6. Benefits of tamarind for diabetes 

Tamarind seed extract can be used as nutritional support and can be combined with diabetes medicines for managing diabetes. The seed extract shows pancreatic protective effect with its anti-inflammatory properties, blood glucose regulation, and reversal of damage to pancreatic tissue.² 

7. Benefits of tamarind for skin 

Tamarind use has shown beneficial effects on skin infections, boils, and other skin disorders.¹ A compound found in tamarind is used as a natural additive compound in sun creams as it shows immunoprotection and protection from ultraviolet damage.² 

8. Benefits of tamarind for other diseases 

• Tamarind, when tested in a study, was found to be effective in managing allergic asthma and cough because of its anti-allergic properties.²  
• Tamarind fruits are used as an antipyretic (fever-reducing) agent. 
• Tamarind leaves are effective in the management of malaria.²  
• Tamarind juice is very effective in the management of conjunctivitis when taken in a heated form.⁴ 

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How to Use Tamarind? 

India is the largest producer of tamarind products in the world. The most valuable used part of the tamarind tree is the fruit, as it contains a sweetish, acidic pulp, which is used for souring curries, sauces, chutneys and certain beverages. Although, almost every part of the tamarind tree is used.^1,4 

• Tamarind products, leaves, fruits and seeds have been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and traditional African medicine.¹ 
• The pulp of the fruit has been extensively used for ages as a spice in Asian dishes, especially in the southern part of India. It is also used as a preservative.^1,4 
• The edible pulp of ripe fruit is used as a flavouring agent in soups, jams, chutneys, sauces and juices.⁴ 
• The flowers are used for producing honey.⁴ 

Side Effects of Tamarind: 

The side effects associated with tamarind use are given below. 

• Tamarind seeds contain certain compounds that decrease digestion. So it is recommended to consume them after boiling or keeping them inside water. 
• Long term use of tamarind may cause loss of tooth surface (dental erosion) due to its acidic content.² 

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Precautions to Take With Tamarind:  

There is no sufficient data on the safe usage of tamarind during pregnancy and lactation. Avoid taking tamarind or consult your doctor before taking tamarind during these times. 

Interactions With Other Drugs: 

Owing to the presence of many therapeutically active compounds, tamarind can show interaction with other drugs.  

• The fruit extracts of tamarind contain a chemical compound that is found to improve the bioavailability of anti-inflammatory drugs (For e.g. ibuprofen), thereby increasing the absorption of anti-inflammatory agents in the blood. So, avoid taking tamarind along with anti-inflammatory drugs.¹ 
• Tamarind is also found to increase the bioavailability of the antiplatelet drug aspirin, thus increasing the absorption of aspirin in the blood. So avoid consuming tamarind if you are on antiplatelet drugs like aspirin.⁵ 

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Frequently Asked Questions: 

Is tamarind good for diabetes? 

Tamarind seed extract can be used as nutritional support and can be combined with anti-diabetic agents for managing diabetes.² 

Can tamarind be taken during pregnancy? 

There is no sufficient data on the safe usage of tamarind during pregnancy, so avoid taking it. 

Is tamarind good for the heart? 

Yes, tamarind is beneficial for the heart. Tamarind contains a high amount of potassium which helps in controlling the blood pressure and heart rate. Tamarind also helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels and prevents the risk of atherosclerosis (heart disease).^2,4 

Are there any side effects of tamarind? 

Tamarind seeds decrease digestion, and long term use of tamarind may cause loss of the surface of teeth, known as dental erosion.² 

How to use tamarind? 

Almost all parts of the tamarind tree are used, including its pulp, fruit, seed, leaf, flower, bark, etc.^1,4 

References: 

1. Saideswara Rao Y, Mary Mathew K. Tamarind. Handbook of herbs and spices. 2012:512-33. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284506160_Tamarind 

2. Kuru P. Tamarindus indica and its health related effects. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2014 Sep 1;4(9):676-81. Available from: https://pubag.nal.usda.gov/catalog/5552205 

3. U.S. Department Of Agriculture. FoodData Central. Tamarind, raw. 2022. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167763/nutrients 

4. Thombare P, Kumar S, Kale P. Tamarind: Value Added Products and its Health Benefits. [Internet]. 2022;(5). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341069628_Tamarind_Value_Added_Products_and_its_Health_Benefits/link/5eab96e345851592d6ae6ff9/downloadhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/341069628_Tamarind_Value_Added_Products_and_its_Health_Benefits 

5. Lim JW, Chee SX, Wong WJ, He QL, Lau TC. Traditional Chinese medicine: herb-drug interactions with aspirin. Singapore medical journal. 2018 May;59(5):230. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5966631/ 

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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