A Scientific Evidence-based Review of Tamarind usage in Indian Folklore Medicine

Abstract

Currently, the paradigm shift of folklore medicine is obvious among the public and researchers. Study based on traditional medicine around the world has become prominent with the addition of pharmacological studies to scientifically prove the effectiveness of the concerned medicine. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L. of family Fabaceae) alone or with a combination of other herbs has been proved to be effective for treating many ailments such as arthritis, dysuria, dental diseases, ulcer, sexual dysfunction, etc. It also exhibits pharmacological actions such as antimicrobial, anti-dysentery, anti-coagulant, hepatoprotective, anti-asthmatic, and anti-diabetic. The pharmacological effect of the fruit or the pulp, leaves, flowers, kernel, and inner bark has been studied. Furthermore, different species of tamarind have also been studied. Numerous studies such as chemical, analytical and biological were conducted to confirm the same. The clinical studies of tamarind match with folklore practices with respect to pharmacological actions, still some are yet to be explored. This study focuses on reviewing the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and nutritional effects of tamarind. Hence it can be concluded that the folklore practice and modern medicinal practice interact with each other. Thus, the folklore practices without being neglected can be extended for the support of scientific evidence through detailed researches.