14 Best Benefits Of Tamarind Seeds For Skin, Hair, And Health

Many people love the tangy kick that tamarind pulp adds to their dishes but are often unaware of the impressive health benefits of tamarind seeds. Well, maybe after reading about them here, you would think twice before disposing of them! Available mostly during the dry season, tamarind seeds make for a popular snack for many rural populations! Shiny polished black in color and rich in important minerals and nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, amino acids, and vitamins, tamarind seeds offer you a range of nutrition and health benefits! Read on to know further!

Know Your Ingredient: Tamarind Seed

What Is It?
Seed of the tropical leguminous plant tamarind (Tamarindus indica).

What Are Its Benefits?
Used in traditional medicine to aid digestion, manage diabetes, improve heart health, and protect from tonsilitis and throat infections.

Who Can Use It?
Anyone except for people with certain medical conditions or those allergic to legumes.

How Often?
It is safe to consume everyday in moderate amounts.

Caution
Consuming it in excess may cause tooth damage and digestive issues due to acidity.

Tamarind Seeds Benefits

Let us look at the top 14 benefits of tamarind seeds:

1. Diarrhea

The red outer cover of the tamarind seed cures diarrhea and dysenteryⁱ  An intestinal infection caused by a parasite through contaminated food or water that leads to bloody diarrhea with cramps and fever. effectively.

2. Cosmetic

Extracts of tamarind seeds contain xyloglycans, which is used in many cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. They are topically used for treating minor skin rashes.

3. Arthritis

Its anti-inflammatory property eases out joint pain, especially in people suffering from arthritis. Consume ½ a teaspoon of roasted tamarind seed powder twice a day with water to boost joint lubrication which soothes pain.

4. Teeth

Rub tamarind seed powder on your gums and teeth, if you have weak teeth. This is beneficial for heavy smokers with heavy nicotine deposits or tartar and plaque caused by lack of dental and oral hygiene, and consumption of soft drinks. This also removes stain caused by tea, coffee, soda and smoking.

Tamarind seeds can cure all teeth related problems and clean nicotine stuck to your teeth. Consume tamarind seeds fried/roasted, mash them till they are smooth and brush your teeth with a toothbrush.

Did You Know?

The word “tamarind” comes from the Arabic term “Tamar Hindi” which means “Indian date”.

5. Indigestion

Tamarind seed juice is a natural remedy to cure indigestion and increase bile production

. Its rich dietary fiber contains lowers cholesterol. This helps digestion and is a great natural appetizer. This is also useful to treat stomatitis and relieve constipation.

6. Low immunity

Tamarind seeds contain immunity boosting properties that protect you from many diseases and disorders.

7. Cancer

Sticky tamarind seed juice can treat and protect you from colon cancer.

8. Antibacterial

Tamarind seed contain antibacterial benefits that can protect you from pneumonia-causing bacteria, Typhus and Staphylococcus aureus. This also protects from a bacterium that causes skin infections as well as intestinal and urinary tract infections.

9. Cough, Tonsils and Throat Infections

Tamarind seed juice can be a good mouth wash. Gargle with this to get relief from a sore throat. You can mix it with some ginger and cinnamon to treat tonsils, pharyngitisⁱ  A sore throat with pain and irritation that is accompanied by a cold or flu. Symptoms include difficulty talking and swallowing. , cold, cough, and other throat infections.

10. Diabetes

Tamarind seed lowers blood sugar levels. This protects the pancreas, which increases the size of insulin-producing cells.

11. Heart health

Tamarind seed contains potassium that can prove useful for hypertensive and heart patients.

12. Fracture

Tamarind seeds also have significance in bone health and medicine. A thick paste of tamarind seeds is applied on broken bones to cure fractures.

13. Eye drops

Extract tamarind seed juice and put a few drops in your eyes to moisturize. The juice can be heated and applied to cure conjunctivitis. Tamarind seed contains polysaccharidesⁱ  Water soluble carbohydrates that produce constituent sugar to store energy and offer structural support in plants and animals. that have adhesive properties to stick to the eye surface.

14. Skin health

Tamarind seed extracts are beneficial for skin care. Tamarind seed boosts skin elasticity, provides hydration and smoothness. This contains hyaluronic acid that helps in skin moisturization and smoothes fine lines and wrinkles. Tamarind seed is water-soluble, hence it is used for serums, gels, facial toners, moisturizers and masks. This also acts as an anti-aging formula.

Trivia

While the tamarinds from Asia have longer pods with 6 to 12 seeds, African and West Indian varieties have shorter pods with 1 to 6 seeds.

Now that you know the benefits, let us talk about how to use tamarind seeds in your diet.

How To Use Tamarind Seeds

Here are a few simple and tasty ways to incorporate tamarind into your meals:

• Smoothies: Blend powdered tamarind seeds into your morning smoothies for a tangy twist and extra nutrient boost.
• Soups: Add ground tamarind seeds to soups or broths to enhance their flavor and health benefits.
• Roasted Snack: Roast the seeds and sprinkle some salt to enjoy them as a crunchy, nutrient-packed snack.
• Tamarind Seed Tea: Boil the seeds for a tea base packed with minerals and antioxidants.

Experiment with these easy ideas to make the most of tamarind seeds in your everyday diet.

While there are several benefits of tamarind seeds, excessive usage may result in a few side effects. Learn what they are below.

Tamarind Seed Side Effects

Tamarind is acidic and can erode tooth enamel (1). Thus, extracts of tamarind seed may also harm the enamel layer. It is advisable to rinse your mouth after consuming it or consider consuming it in moderation to protect your dental health.

Tamarind can also interact with certain medications and have an impact on their effectiveness. According to a study, it interacts with aspirin and can lead to a significant increase in the plasma levels of aspirin and salicylic acid (2). This might affect the dosage recommendations set by healthcare professionals.
Another study noted that tamarind leaf extracts exhibited mild irritant properties due to the presence of organic acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid (3). Thus, tamarind seed extract may also showcase similar effects.

Infographic: 4 Incredible Advantages Of Tamarind Seeds

Tamarind is a tropical fruit that is commonly used to add flavor to Asian cuisines, like curries and pickles. However, like tamarind pulp, tamarind seeds offer therapeutic purposes and health benefits as well that many people are unaware of. Check out the infographic below to learn about some of the most remarkable advantages of tamarind seeds.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it good to eat tamarind seeds every day?

Possibly yes. Despite the lack of scientific evidence on the recommended daily intake of tamarind seeds, a couple of them every day seem to be safe.

Can tamarind seeds reduce belly fat?

Yes. Tamarinds have antioxidants, antiviral and antibacterial properties, blood glucose‐lowering, and other protective properties that help boost kidney health (5). There are many other ways they may help protect your kidney and other organs. You may consider exploring tamarind benefits to learn more about its positive effects on your health.

Is tamarind good for kidneys?

Yes. Tamarinds have antioxidant, blood glucose‐lowering, and other protective properties that help boost kidney health (5).

Is tamarind good for the liver?

Yes. Tamarinds contain antioxidants and help lower blood glucose and cholesterol. They also help boost liver enzymes (5).

How do you eat tamarind seeds?

You can eat tamarind seeds raw or roasted. You remove the seed coat and fry, boil, or ground the seeds into powder.

Image source: 1

Illustration: Best Benefits & Uses Of Tamarind Seeds For Skin Hair & Health

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Eva De AngelisLicensed Dietitian Nutritionist

   

Eva is a licensed dietitian nutritionist who is passionate about food, nutrition, wellness, and cooking. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Universidad ISalud, a postgraduate diploma in Nutrition, Gastronomy, and Health from the Argentine Society of Clinical Nutrition, a culinary diploma, and a mid-level technical degree in Food Science.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Moksha GandhiHealth & Wellness Writer

Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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