Tamarind

Tamarindus indica

Physical Characteristics

Tamarindus indica is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

Probably originating in tropical Africa, it is now widespread through the tropics and subtropics.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed Seedpod Edible Uses: Coffee Drink Seedpod - raw or cooked. An acid flavour[398 ]. Harvested when fully grown but still green and tender, they are used as a seasoning and also to make juices and paste[296 ]. The immature pods are used in a variety of ways, being eaten fresh mixed with spices, pickled like green mango, or added whole to soups, stews and sauces[301 ]. The pods are 5 - 15cm long[302 ]. When fully mature, the pods contain a sticky paste which can be eaten raw , used to make drinks, jellies, syrups etc, and, mixed with salt, is a favourite flavouring in the curries of India[296 , 301 , 303 ]. This paste is usually quite sour due to its content of tartaric, acetic and citric acids[307 ], though sweet forms can also be found[298 ]. The sweet-fruited forms are considered a delicacy and are eaten raw[301 ]. Mixed with water, the pulp makes a pleasant lemonade-like drink[298 ]. Mature seeds - dried then toasted or boiled and the shell is removed[298 ]. The seed can be ground into a flour[298 ]. The roasted seed is also used as a coffee substitute[301 ]. Young leaves - raw or cooked. An agreeably sour flavour, they go well cooked with other blander leaves[298 ]. Young leaves can be added to salads[298 , 301 ]. Seedlings, when about 30cm tall, are used as a vegetable[301 ]. Flowers - raw in salads or cooked[298 , 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic Antidiarrhoeal Antirheumatic Aperient Astringent Cardiac Digestive Dysentery Febrifuge Hypoglycaemic Laxative Malaria Ophthalmic Parasiticide Poultice Refrigerant Tonic Urinary The bark is astringent and tonic and its ash may be given internally as a digestive. Incorporated into lotions or poultices, the bark may be used to relives sores, ulcers, boils and rashes. It may also be administered as a decoction against asthma and amenorrhea and as a febrifuge[303 ]. Leaf extracts exhibit anti-oxidant activity in the liver, and are a common ingredient in cardiac and blood sugar reducing medicines[303 ]. Young leaves may be used in fomentation for rheumatism, applied to sores and wounds, or administered as a poultice for inflammation of joints to reduce swelling and relieve pain[303 ]. A sweetened decoction of the leaves is good against throat infection, cough, fever, and even intestinal worms[303 ]. The filtered hot juice of young leaves, and a poultice of the flowers, is used for conjunctivitis[303 ]. The leaves are warmed and tied to affected areas in order to relieve swellings and pains, particularly sprains[348 ]. They are also used for bathing sores or to bathe persons suffering from measles or allergies[348 ]. The leaves and flowers are used to make a sweetened tea that is drunk by children as a remedy for measles[348 ]. They were also used in a preparation which was drunk in early Guyana as a malaria remedy[348 ]. A decoction of the flower buds is used as a remedy for children's bedwetting and urinary complaints[348 ]. The fruit is aperient and laxative[348 ]. A syrup made from the ripe fruit is drunk in order to keep the digestive organs in good condition, and also as a remedy for coughs and chest colds[348 ]. The flesh of the fruit is eaten to cure fevers and control gastric acid[348 ]. The fruit pulp may be used as a massage to treat rheumatism, as an acid refrigerant, a mild laxative and also to treat scurvy[303 ]. Powdered seeds may be given to cure dysentery and diarrhoea[303 ]. The plant contains pyrazines and thiazoles[348 ]. The seed contains polyoses[348 ]. The bark yields proanthocyanidin and hordenine[348 ].

Known Hazards

None known