8 Traditional Home Remedies Using Tamarind Leaves, Fruit, Seeds

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD
Tamarind fruit is used worldwide in daily culinary as a souring agent and a spice. Whereas its seeds, leaves, bark and flowers are also useful in various forms as home remedies in treating many diseases.  

In India a side dish, soup or curry without tamarind is difficult to imagine. Whereas in  other countries several acidic substances, fruits, vegetables, acidic substances, vinegar etc are used as substitute for tamarind.

Abscess

1. Tamarind fruit paste in maturation of the abscess:
1 part Tamarind fruit pulp (partially ripened, fully ripened or even the old tamarind can also be used) and ¼ part dehydrated calcium (Choona in Hindi) are taken together and fine paste is made by mixing them together.  This is applied over the abscess. This helps in early maturation of the abscess (suppuration and pus formation, after which the abscess is incised to let out the pus)

Joint pain

2. Leaf paste in joint pain:
1-2 fistful of mature leaves are collected and fine paste is made. This is applied over the joints and wrapped with a cloth. This is very effective against the arthritis and relieves even the joint swelling.

White patches

3. Bark ash in white patches of the skin:
The tree bark is taken and made into ash by burning in open air. This is sieved well and fine ash obtained is collected and stored. To this little sesame oil is mixed and applied over the white patches due to fungal infection. 5-6 days application usually pacifies the complaint. It is useful in treating eczema as well.

Premature ejaculation

4. Seed coat in premature ejaculation:
Tamarind seeds are collected and fried a little in a pan. This helps to take away seed coat. This seed coat is made into fine powder and administered in the dose of 250-500 mg in cases of  premature ejaculation and nocturnal emission.
In non specific leucorrhoea cases also this has significant benefits.
Read related: Vaginal White Discharge – Ayurvedic Treatment, Home Remedies

Nausea, anorexia

5. Flower decoction in nausea, tastelessness and   distension of abdomen:
A fistful of tamarind flowers (fresh) are collected and its decoction is made. To this fried cumin seeds are added and given to the patients in the dose of 50-60 ml two or three times a day. This relieves nausea, tastelessness, mild abdominal pain, diarrhoea and   distension of abdomen.
Read related: Tamarind Fruit, Leaves, Flower, Bark Uses, Research

Joint pain

6. Leaf juice oil in joint pain:
Leaf juice 100ml (decoction of the leaf can also be used for this purpose)  and 200 ml sesame oil are taken and oil is cooked in mild intensity of heat on constant stirring. On confirmation that it is free from moisture content this oil is taken out of fire, filtered and stored.
This oil is effective in degenerative joint disorders associated with severe pain.

Muscular pain

7. Tamarind fruit pulp processed oil in muscular pain:
In the above said method tamarind oil can be prepared even by its pulp. While doing this oil, 50 gram of fruit pulp, 200 ml sesame oil and 800 ml water are to be added.

This oil is useful in muscular pain.
In some of the Indian villages this oil is used to apply the ladies after delivery.

Flatulence

8. Leaf juice soup as a carminative, digestive and anti flatulent:
Mature leaves are taken and cooked well along with little salt and pepper powder (Even the ginger powder or garlic paste, cumin and coriander seeds can also be added).

This can be used during lunch or else it can be taken as a soup as a starter too.
Kitchen remedies have magical power to reverse much simple and moderate kind of discomforts.
Consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD