Tamarind is a sweet and tangy seasoning spice used in many South Asian cuisines. The tamarind tree is quite huge with long heavy branches and thick leafage. The trees reach a height of about eight feet. Once a year, the trees bear curved pods in good number of each and every branch. These pods have brown colored pulp covering two to ten hard brown seeds in it.
The health benefits of Tamarind are:
3. Tamarind is a rich source of tartaric acid. Tartaric acid is responsible for the tangy flavor in tamarind; however, it is also a potent antioxidant. This helps to protect the body against the harmful effects of free radicals.
4. Tamarind pod is rich in several volatile phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have several health benefits. Some of the phytochemicals present in tamarind are limonene, geraniol, safrole, cinnamic acid, methyl salicylate, pyrazine and alkylthiazoles; each of them distinct properties which benefit the health in one way or the other.
5. Tamarind is also a rich source of several minerals including copper, calcium, selenium, magnesium, potassium, iron as well as zinc.
- Potassium is a mineral that’s crucial for life. It’s necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work normally.
-Iron is an essential mineral responsible for production of Hemoglobin.
- Copper is involved in a lot of body processes, but its main functions are to help keep heart and blood vessels healthy
Similarly other minerals also have an important role to play in the body.
7. Tamarind is helpful in treating bile disorders.
9. Tamarind drink is helpful in treating heat strokes and it is a cooling drink during summers.
10. The heated juice of tamarind is helpful in curing conjunctivitis.
11. Herbal doctors make eye drops from tamarind to cure dry eye syndrome. The sticky nature of tamarind makes it possible for eye drops to stay on the surface of the eyes much longer than any other eye drop.
Tamarind storage:
Fresh tamarind pods can be purchased in the early summer and late spring months. Tamarind is processed into blocks, slices, paste, tablets and balls. You can buy this processed tamarind from the market but make sure it is a reputed brand. Old and odd smelling tamarind should not be used, make sure they are fresh.
The health benefits of Tamarind are:
3. Tamarind is a rich source of tartaric acid. Tartaric acid is responsible for the tangy flavor in tamarind; however, it is also a potent antioxidant. This helps to protect the body against the harmful effects of free radicals.
4. Tamarind pod is rich in several volatile phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have several health benefits. Some of the phytochemicals present in tamarind are limonene, geraniol, safrole, cinnamic acid, methyl salicylate, pyrazine and alkylthiazoles; each of them distinct properties which benefit the health in one way or the other.
5. Tamarind is also a rich source of several minerals including copper, calcium, selenium, magnesium, potassium, iron as well as zinc.
- Potassium is a mineral that’s crucial for life. It’s necessary for the heart, kidneys, and other organs to work normally.
-Iron is an essential mineral responsible for production of Hemoglobin.
- Copper is involved in a lot of body processes, but its main functions are to help keep heart and blood vessels healthy
Similarly other minerals also have an important role to play in the body.
7. Tamarind is helpful in treating bile disorders.
9. Tamarind drink is helpful in treating heat strokes and it is a cooling drink during summers.
10. The heated juice of tamarind is helpful in curing conjunctivitis.
11. Herbal doctors make eye drops from tamarind to cure dry eye syndrome. The sticky nature of tamarind makes it possible for eye drops to stay on the surface of the eyes much longer than any other eye drop.
Tamarind storage:
Fresh tamarind pods can be purchased in the early summer and late spring months. Tamarind is processed into blocks, slices, paste, tablets and balls. You can buy this processed tamarind from the market but make sure it is a reputed brand. Old and odd smelling tamarind should not be used, make sure they are fresh.