Fabaceae
Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: Tropical Africa (cultivated India and Asia)
Also known as: Indian Date, Imli, Asam Jawa, Tamarindo
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
FruitLeafBark
Therapeutic Uses
Constipation (mild gentle laxative), dyspepsia, liver protection, type 2 diabetes, antimicrobial, fevers. Traditional Ayurvedic digestive and liver herb. Rich in tartaric acid — unique medicinal acid.
Herbal Actions
Laxative (mild — tartrates), digestive, antifungal, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory
Active Constituents
Tartaric acid (15–20% — primary sour taste), potassium bitartrate, citric acid, sugars, flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, naringenin), pectin, vitamins B1 and C, iron, calcium
Preparation Methods
🍵 Decoction💊 Capsule🍯 Syrup
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 10g tamarind paste dissolved in 250ml warm water, 2x daily |
| Tincture | Standardized extract: 500mg 3x daily |
| Notes | Tamarind paste or dried fruit: 10–20g daily as mild laxative or digestive. For blood sugar: 200–500mg dry extract daily. Extremely nutritious culinary ingredient — eat as food for mild medicinal benefits. Traditional liver-protective tonic in Ayurveda. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: High fluoride absorption: caution in fluorosis-endemic areas. May potentiate aspirin absorption. Caution with antidiabetics.
Side Effects: GI upset at high doses. Laxative effect. Increased aspirin absorption. Generally very safe.