Today, tamarind is found in the kitchen of most houses, which we use to make our dishes tasty. We use it in chutney, in the water of panipuri and to bring sourness to the food. Children like tamarind very much.
Apart from enhancing the taste of food, tamarind is also used in the treatment of many diseases. For this reason, tamarind has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. In this article, we will also know how tamarind can be used, and what can be the advantages and disadvantages of tamarind.
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What is Tamarind?
Tamarind is a soft, dark brown pod that grows on a large tree. Its scientific name is Tamarindus indica. It is known as Tamarind in English. Whereas, in Sanskrit, it is called Amalika. Raw tamarind is green in color and after ripening it turns dark brown. Tamarind is found more in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Africa.
Medicinal properties of Tamarind
Tamarind tree has properties like antibacterial, antioxidant, antimalarial, and anti-asthmatic. Along with this, liver protection, heart protection, and stomach cleansing properties are also found in tamarind.
There are so many benefits of tamarind that it would not be wrong to call it a miracle of nature, but there can be disadvantages of tamarind in excess, which are explained further in the article.
Stomach-related problems like colic, constipation, and worms can be avoided by using tamarind. It is used for wound healing, malaria, fever, inflammation, and eye diseases.
Benefits of Tamarind
1) To remove anemia:
Iron is found in tamarind. By consuming tamarind, the body gets a sufficient amount of iron which helps in removing the deficiency of hemoglobin in the body.
2) Increases immunity :
Vitamin-C and polysaccharide elements are found in abundance in tamarind, which works to increase immunity. Scientists have discovered through in-depth studies that polysaccharides have immunomodulatory activities, which can give the body the ability to fight diseases. This study indicates that tamarind can be used to increase immunity.
3) In the process of digestion :
If you have problems related to digestion, then you must consume tamarind. There are many nutrients found in tamarind that work to induce digestive juices (bile acids) that aid in digestion. Due to this, the digestion process works better than before.
4) Controlling Diabetes:
In research related to tamarind, it has been told that tamarind extract has anti-diabetic properties, which help in controlling blood sugar. That’s why consuming tamarind is very beneficial for diabetes patients.
5) Tamarind for heart:
Tamarind has powerful antioxidant properties, which can protect the heart from the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radicals are also considered responsible for coronary heart disease. According to research, consumption of tamarind extract can prevent the accumulation of fat and plaque in the artery walls. Due to this, the risk of heart disease can be reduced. In this research, it has been directly told that tamarind can help in reducing cholesterol. That’s why tamarind is beneficial in preventing heart disease.