Tamarindus indica

Tamarind








Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) (from Latinization of Arabic: تمر هندي tamar Hind
"Indian Date") is a tree in the family Fabaceae. The genus Tamarindus is
monotypic (having only a single species)




Medicinal uses


Phytochemical
studies revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, sesquiterpenes,
alkaloids and phlobatamins and other extracts active against both gram
positive and gram negative bacteria, at temperatures of 4–30 °C (39–86
°F). Studies on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum
bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts on the test organisms
showed that the lowest MIC and
the MBC were demonstrated against Salmonella paratyphi, Bacillus
subtilis and Salmonella typhi and the highest MIC and MBC was exhibited
against Staphylococcus aureus.
Throughout Asia and Africa it is common for health remedies.
In Northern Nigeria, fresh stem bark and fresh leaves are used as
decoction mixed with potash for the treatment of stomach disorder,
general body pain, jaundice, yellow fever and as blood tonic
and skin cleanser. In Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines and Javanese
traditional medicine use asem leaves as a herbal infusion for malarial
fever, the fruit juice as an anti-septic, and scurvy and even cough
cure. Fruit of the tamarind is also commonly used throughout South East
Asia as a poultice applied to foreheads of fever sufferers.
Tamarind is used as in Indian Ayurvedic Medicine for gastric and/or digestion problems, and in cardioprotective activity.
In animal studies, tamarind has been found to lower serum cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Due to
a lack of available human clinical trials, there is insufficient
evidence to recommend tamarind for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia
(high cholesterol) or diabetes.
Based
on human study, tamarind intake may delay the progression of
fluorosis[disambiguation needed] by enhancing excretion of fluoride.
However, additional research is needed to confirm these results.
Excess consumption has been noted as a traditional laxative.
Other medicinal uses include: Anthelminthic (expels worms), antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, asthma, astringent,
bacterial skin infections (erysipelas), boils, chest pain, cholesterol
metabolism disorders, colds, colic, conjunctivitis (pink eye),
constipation (chronic or acute), diabetes, diarrhea (chronic), dry eyes,
dysentery (severe diarrhea), eye inflammation, fever, food
preservative, food uses (coloring), gallbladder disorders,
gastrointestinal disorders, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, indigestion,
insecticide, jaundice, keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), leprosy,
liver disorders, nausea and vomiting (pregnancy-related), paralysis,
poisoning (Datura plant), rash, rheumatism, saliva production, skin
disinfectant/sterilization, sore throat, sores, sprains, sunscreen,
sunstroke, swelling (joints), urinary stones, wound healing (corneal
epithelium)






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