The tamarind fruit has a distinct sweet-sour tanginess that makes it popular in South Asian cooking. However, much lesser known are its leaves which are nutritional powerhouses. These leaves were often used in ancient home remedies and in Ayurveda. Tamarind leaves can be used fresh off the tree but they are also available in a dried form in some stores. The dried leaves usually need to be soaked in water for some time before they’re ready to be used. Here are 7 ways you can use tamarind leaves as an effective home remedy with no side effects.
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1. Helps Treat Symptoms Of Asthma
Take 2 sprigs of fresh leaves and some fennel bulbs. Boil these ingredients in one liter of water. Once it comes to a boil, turn off the heat and let it steep for a few minutes. When it’s completely cooled, strain it and drink the solution. You can add some lemon grass or sugar to make this concoction tastier. It helps keep the airways open so you can breathe much easier. Drink it whenever you find it difficult to breathe and feel an asthmatic attack coming on.
2. Keeps Your Bowel Movements Regular
Eaten food that has you running to the toilet more times than you can count? Drink some tea made of tamarind leaves either fresh or dried. The dietary fiber in the leaf helps to activate the bile ducts and help to relieve diarrhea. It also improves your digestion, preventing you from suffering another bout of diarrhea. If on the other hand, you’re constipated, chew on the pulp of tamarind fruits. The soluble and insoluble fibers within the fruit will helps waste move along within your intestines.
3. Treats Diabetes And Jaundice
An infusion of tamarind leaves taken every day helps to increase the insulin production by the pancreas. This brings down high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and keeps them stable. It’s also very useful in treating jaundice. The tell-tale yellow hue jaundice patients have is due to the excess secretion of bilirubin. Tamarind leaf tea controls the secretion of bilirubin and brings it back to a normal level.
4. It Can Treat Malaria
A decoction of tamarind leaves helps to bring down the high fever that accompanies malaria. The leaves also have an antibacterial effect that acts against the plasmodium malarial bacteria that is injected into the blood when the females anopheles mosquito bites a human. While you shouldn’t depend upon it completely to cure your malaria, tamarind leaves certainly speed up your recovery process.
5. Treats Inflammation And Strengthens The Immune System
When you have an injury that swollen and is taking a long time to heal, tamarind leaves can help relieve the pain. Make a paste of the leaves and apply to the affected areas. The antiseptic properties of the leaf help in treating wounds and prevents the growth of bacteria which would otherwise cause inflammation. A warm poultice can also be applied to rheumatic joints for quick relief. Taken internally it boosts your immune system against bacterial attacks.
6. Relieves Menstrual Cramps
Those few days of the month when you have to carry on with your day in spite of painful cramps are a nightmare for every woman. Popping analgesic tablets throughout the day might numb the pain, but they also come with side effects. Tamarind leaves are a completely safe way to treat menstrual cramps. Make a drink that contains an infusion of tamarind leaves, and papaya leaves with just a pinch of salt. The analgesic effect of this infusion will make those days easier to bear.
7. Say Goodbye To Bad Breath
Bad breath can lower your self-confidence and can keep you at arm’s length from anyone who approaches you. Instead of popping gum, try having a decoction of tamarind leaves. Its antibacterial properties helps in curing bad breath and mouth ulcers as well. Just brew a few fresh or dried tamarind leaves in some water and add the juice of half a lemon. You’ll never be denied a goodnight kiss again.