Wellness Wows (Tamarind)

Beautify and Detoxify With Tamarind

 Opt for a tamarind-rich regime as the tangy fruit flaunts a profile packed with dietary fibre, antioxidants, essential minerals and amino acids. It repairs tissue, boosts growth, braces muscles, and keeps the skin and hair healthy and glossy. The high fibre content also drives smooth digestion and nourishes a healthy gut.

By PRAMITA BOSE

Can you enjoy a plateful of paani puris without its star ingredient tamarind water? Bet you cannot. For that lends the magical touch of tang to your palate and the revelry of tastes begins on a spicy-salty-soury note. It shoots the street-side treat to instant fame. Although many try having dry poochkas or golgappas (with whichever name you call it from any part of India that you reside in) but the relishing indulgence is incomplete without the generous bouts of this brownish acidic liquid. Even expecting mothers love licking the tarty flavours of tamarind included in their pregnancy-friendly diet to address their nauseating episodes and morning sickness in those nine months. This craving happens due to hormonal changes they undergo while carrying and the same changes their sense of taste and smell quite a bit. For some, this leaves a lasting impact.

Healthy Intake

Tamarind seeds dole out a list of health benefits to jot down. Tamarind seeds back digestion process by ensuring regular bowel movements and assuaging constipation, while antioxidants in tamarind seeds improve immunity and reduce inflammation in the body. Tamarind seeds contain potassium, which is useful in sustaining normal blood pressure and research shows that they might help keeping the blood sugar levels within limits by decelerating carbohydrate intake in the body.

Tamarind seeds help consolidate joints and bones with essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and anti-inflammatory properties. The same enhances skin and hair hydration, tightens the roots and improves elasticity. The fibre content renders a satisfying feeling, keeping the stomach seemingly full, which is intended for weight management.

“Tamarind seeds should be consumed in moderation and must be roasted or boiled or ground in powder form. Otherwise they might deter seamless digestion,” alerts clinical dietician Sumaiya Ansari from Fortis Hospital, Kalyan (Mumbai).

Tamarind as a Moisturiser

Tamarind seeds are said to adequately hydrate the skin to make it healthy and supple. “That’s true,” agrees eminent dietician Pranjal Kumat. “It nestles a gentle, smoother skin. A human trial bears testimony to this. It showed tamarind seed extracts to significantly increase the skin moisture content,” she confirms.

“The seed polysaccharides act as moisture-retaining agents called humectants (substances, such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and urea that absorb and synthesise water molecules from the atmospheric air or skin layers down below to the surface. They are essential moisturising agents in skincare and cosmetics that hydrate, soften and improve skin texture by keeping it moist). They form a shielding layer, decreasing water loss,” Kumat details the mechanism.

Skin Saviour

Tamarind seeds reportedly treat acne, skin diseases and breakouts with its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Research corroborates that tamarind seeds are bestowed with specific properties to come in handy. They carry out antimicrobial activity to deter bacteria growth as well as exert anti-inflammatory effects to lessen swelling, redness, heat, pain and irritation. Besides, tamarind extracts have wound-healing traits to aid in acne control, ease eruptions and fix a damaged skin.

Vanishing Act

Do you yearn for a blemish-free glassy skin? Then tamarind seeds are your apt answer and a readily available solution at hand. They remove marks and freckles to get that enviable spotless skin and add shine to its surface.

“Tamarind contains compounds with anti-melanogenesis activity (shrinks melanin production), which has the capacity to lighten pigmentation and create an uneven skin tone. However, the scars disappear gradually and are not wiped out immediately,” stresses Kumat.

Tamarind Peeler

Incidentally, tamarind seeds are used for skin exfoliation. It defines the process of removing or peeling off dead skin cells from the surface of the epidermis using chemical agents or physical scrubbers. It helps cheer up the skin, unclog its pores, reduce acne and improve product absorption. Key methods include physical scrubs/brushes and chemical exfoliants (AHAs/BHAs: alpha-beta-hydroxy acids) that dissolve the dead cells and strip off the arid crust to improve the skin texture and lend it a sunny glow.

Researches establish the fact that tamarind contains organic acids and bioactive compounds that encourage skin renewal. Antioxidant action improves skin silkiness and texture, evident from a series of clinical trials. Finely ground tamarind seeds can act as physical exfoliants.

Allergy Assessment

One logically enquires if a patch taste is necessary for the tamarind seeds before their application on the skin. Can the same cause allergic reaction?

“Since tamarind is a rich source of tartaric acid and natural compounds, it may cause irritation to the skin. Hence a patch test is essential,” recommends ace dietician Ridhima Khamesra.

“Testing on a small area of the skin lowers risk of redness, itching or burning, thus ensuring the ingredient to be safe for your skin type. You may apply a pea size amount on your inner arm and leave it like that for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse the portion thoroughly and observe its effects for 24 hours. If there’s no impact, then tamarind passes the patch test. But if you observe traces of redness, itching or any burning sensation, then you better avoid using tamarind-laced beauty products,” clarifies Khamesra with a word of caution.

Cold Concern

Many avoid tamarind intake because of its tangy taste as that could induce sore throats and cold allergy. In what ways can then tamarind consumption be useful?

“It is tangy no doubt but definitely healthy for the body. When taken in the right proportion, it aids digestion, helps with constipation and improves the gut health,” insists Khamesra.

Tamarind has antioxidants and compounds that are anti-inflammatory and reduce bloating. It can also lower LDL and total cholesterol, thus securing one’s heart health. Further, vitamin C in imli helps with skin glow and obliterates pigmentation.

“The key is moderation in terms of the consumable quantity of tamarind,” volunteers Khamesra.

Ansari views that “even though the taste of tamarind is sour and may not appeal to many due to the much-anticipated pharyngitis or a discomforting cold, if consumed in limited doses, it may rather prove beneficial meting out various health benefits. It is good for digestion, relieves constipation and acts as a mild laxative too.”

The antioxidants present in it help boost the immune system and mitigate inflammation. The potassium content maintains heart health and regulates blood pressure levels. Moreover, it may help checking blood sugar levels and infections due to its antimicrobial features.

“Having it warm in the form of a soup or rasam may help alleviate the chances of developing a swollen, sensitive throat that causes acute pain and difficulty in swallowing,” assures Ansari.

Tamarind Treat

A wholesome recipe on tamarind:

Tamarind Lentil Curry (Imli Dal)

Ingredients (Serves 1):

·  Tamarind pulp

·  ¼ cup lentils (toor dal or masoor dal)

·         1 tbsp tamarind pulp

·         1 cup water

·  ¼ tsp turmeric powder

·  ½ tsp cumin seeds

·  2 crushed garlic pods

·  5-6 curry leaves

·         1 small dried red chilli (optional)

·         2 tsp oil or ghee

·         Salt to taste

·         1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

Method of Preparation:

·         · Wash and pressure cook dal with turmeric and water (2-3 whistles). Mash lightly

·         · Soak tamarind pulp in warm water, strain and add to the cooked dal. 

·         · Simmer for 5 minutes and add salt

·         · Heat oil/ghee, add cumin, garlic, curry leaves and chilli

·         · Pour tempering (tadka) over dal and simmer for 2 minutes

·        · Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot

Key Benefits:

·          · High in plant protein for muscle repair

·          · Tamarind provides antioxidants, aids in tissue repair and reduces oxidative stress

·         · Supports digestion and gut health 

     · Lentils are a combo of protein and amino acids

 

Summer Sip

Tamarind Electrolyte Drink (Imli Sharbat)

Tamarind is hailed as a natural cooling agent perfect to beat the sweltering heat in summer. Countries in the tropical zone like India face intense heat and tamarind juice can be a refreshing drink to keep the body hydrated. It is also acknowledged as a pure, organic coolant in Ayurvedic branch of medicine. It helps the body temperature dip, emerges as a digestive facilitator and is commonly consumed as a reinvigorating drink or in soups as an energiser.

Ingredients (Serves 1):

·         · 1 tbsp tamarind pulp

·         · 1 cup of chilled water

·         · 1 tbsp jaggery (adjust to taste)

·         · A pinch of black salt

·         · ¼ tsp roasted cumin powder

·         · Few mint leaves (optional)

 Method of Preparation:

·         · Soak tamarind pulp in warm water and strain

·         · Add jaggery and mix until dissolved

·         · Add black salt and roasted cumin powder

·         · Mix well, add mint if desired

·        · Serve chilled

 Key Benefits:

·         · Natural electrolyte replenishment

·         · Tamarind provides essential minerals (magnesium, potassium) to the body

·         · Helps combat heat stress and prevent dehydration as well as fatigue

·     · Provides quick energy and antioxidant support. Works as a natural rehydration drink

 

Hair Mask

Tamarind Seed-Based Hair Mask:

Ingredients:

· 2 tablespoons of tamarind seed powder

· 2 tablespoons of curd (yogurt)

· 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

· 1 teaspoon of castor oil (optional)

Method of Preparation:

· Soak tamarind seeds overnight to soften

· Remove the outer coating and grind the seeds into a fine paste or dry them and prepare a powder

· Combine the tamarind seed paste/powder with curd, coconut oil and castor oil

· Mix thoroughly to obtain a smooth, uniform consistency

Method of Application:

Apply the prepared mask evenly to the scalp and hair roots

Gently massage for 5-10 minutes to enhance absorption and circulation

Leave the mask on for 30-40 minutes

Rinse thoroughly using a mild shampoo

Benefits:

Helps curtail dandruff and scalp irritation

Strengthens hair shafts, reduces frizziness and stops breakage

Improves hair texture and glaze, making the strands smooth and tameable

May support hair growth with regular application

 

Hair Care

Strikingly enough, tamarind is good for hair and scalp health. Who doesn’t want to see her hair being free of knots and tangles? A bad hair day could leave the tresses matted, dull, wiry and in an unruly state. It’s time to reset your crowning glory to regain its attractive status.

“Tamarind (particularly its pulp and seeds) comes as a blessing to a mop of human crop as it offers several benefits owing to its rich nutritional and bioactive composition,” shares Kumat.

Tamarind is equipped with the power of antioxidants. It comprises polyphenols and flavonoids that help fight oxidative stress, which can damage hair follicles and contribute to premature greying.

It acts as a natural scalp cleanser. The presence of organic acids, such as tartaric acid provides mild exfoliation, helping drain out excess oil, dirt and product buildup from the scalp. In fact, this abundant dose of tartaric acid in tamarind makes it a valuable cleaner of copper and bronze tools, appliances and utensils.

This apart, tamarind exhibits antimicrobial activities that may help control dandruff and minor scalp infections. It renders a conditioning effect. The fruit seeds are rich in polysaccharides that form a fortified coating on hair strands, enhancing sleekness, manageability and lustre. Tamarind seeds consist of essential minerals (e.g. magnesium and potassium) and proteins that may strengthen hair and curb breakage or split ends.

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