Tamarind - traditional medicine

Tamarind fruits and leaves have been used in traditional South Asian medicine. Taken internally or applied externally, a range of conditions are treated including sore throats, sunstroke and stomach upsets. Some of these uses are mirrored by Western medicine.

Tamarind remedies

A photograph of tamarind seeds housed in Kew's Economic Botany Collection.

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Image: Tamarind seeds play a role in traditional medicine where they have been used as treatments for many illnesses including fevers and intestinal infections.

Tamarind seeds are used traditionally to treat diabetes, fevers and intestinal infections. They are also used in the treatment of both diarrhoea and as a laxative. This activity could be associated with a group of protein compounds known as lectins that are present in tamarind.

The fruits are used to flavour drinks given to patients with fever. When prescribed in this way, the tamarind is often mixed with lime, honey, milk and spices.

Pulp from the seed pods is applied to painful joints and is mixed with salt and used as a gargle to treat sore throats. It is given to people who are suffering from sunstroke and those who have had too much alcohol to drink.

A photograph of tamarind leaves housed in Kew's Economic Botany Collection.

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Leaves are boiled and applied to swollen joints, boils and sprains. Infusions of the leaves are used to treat jaundice.

This information is provided for general interest only. It is not intended as guidance for medicinal use. Further information on using herbal medicines is available.