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

Soothe your throat and nourish your skin with this simple tangy ingredient.

Medically reviewed by Eva De Angelis, Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist
Written by Tanya Choudhary, B.Desgn, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition
Edited by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health
Fact-checked by Moksha Gandhi, BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach  • 

While you might love the tangy intense flavor of tamarinds in your food, most probably you are using the pulpy juice and throwing the seeds away? Well, maybe after reading about the tamarind seeds’ benefits here, you would think twice before disposing 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!

protip_icon 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

Tamarind seeds is good for managing diarrhea
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The red outer cover of the tamarind seed cures diarrhea and dysenteryi  XAn 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

Tamarind seeds helps remove dental stains and plaques
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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.

protip_icon 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 seeds helps relieve coughing and throat infections
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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  XA 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.

Image: Getty

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 helps manage broken bones
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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  XWater 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.

protip_icon 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.

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.

4 incredible advantages of tamarind seeds (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Tamarind seeds are generally discarded after extracting tamarind juice. But the minerals and nutrients in the seeds can benefit you in multiple ways. These seeds can effectively manage diarrhea, arthritis, indigestion, cough, throat infections, and tonsils. They also promote cardiovascular, oral, and skin health. In addition, these seeds can boost the immune system as they have anti-bacterial properties. Tamarind seed juice is also used as eye drops for its moisturizing effects and clearing eyesight. It may help treat conjunctivitis too. Try including tamarind seeds in your routine to reap all its benefits.

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 (4).

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

Key Takeaways

  • Tamarind seed is a popular snack with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Traditional medicines like Ayurveda use it extensively.
  • It promotes overall health by aiding digestion, dental well-being, and immune boosting.
  • The anti-inflammatory effect alleviates arthritic pain, and the anti-bacterial activity protects against pneumonia and other infections.
  • Tamarind seed contains hyaluronic acid, making it an effective anti-aging ingredient.
tamarind seeds benefits

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Dental erosion protection by fermented shrimp paste in acidic food
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20068304/
  2. Effect of Tamarindus indica L. on the bioavailability of aspirin in healthy human volunteers
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8980919/
  3. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Tamarindus indica Linn. (Fabaceae): a narrative review
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6704379/
  4. Satietogenic Protein from Tamarind Seeds Decreases Food Intake Leptin Plasma and CCK-1r Gene Expression in Obese Wistar Rats
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6341364/
  5. Tamarind: A diet‐based strategy against lifestyle maladies
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6848808/
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