African Velvet Tamarind

Health Benefits of African Velvet Tamarind

Popularly known as Awin in Yoruba, Icheku in Igbo and Tsamiyar kurm in Hausa, African velvet tamarind is the fruit of a native West African tree (dialium guineense). Especially loved by Nigerian children, velvet tamarind is cultivated not totally for its fruits but as a source of timber and fuel. It is a seasonal fruit with an orange pulp with the velvet shell which has a sweet and tangy taste. Many of you can’t help but stop by at your local fruit vendor to buy some when it’s the season. You love the fruit but probably know nothing about its health benefits.

Different parts of velvet tamarind plant have been scientifically proven to offer a wide range of health benefits, some of them are explained below:

1. Treats Ulcer and Prevents Hypertension

The leave extract of velvet tamarind has the ability to increase gastric mucus secretion. Therefore, a decoration of the leave can be a remedy for gastric ulcer. The leaves are also highly diuretic-promotes the production of urine, making it easier for the heart to pump blood hence, reducing the risk of hypertension.

2. Malaria

According to research, the leave extract inhibits the growth of plasmodium falciparum which causes malaria therefore; taking a decoration can cure malaria.

3. Improves Oral hygiene and cures Tooth ache

The stem used as chewing stick (indigenous tooth brush) contains saponin which adds cleaning effect to the teeth and at the same time removes plaques and caries on the teeth of users. The stem bark decoration is also used to treat tooth ache.

4. Anti-inflammatory and Anti-microbial Properties

The fruit pulp contains abundant vitamin C which fights against microbial infections. The stem bark has the ability to reduce inflammation in bronchial tubes that arises due to bronchitis.

5. Jaundice and Diabetes Management

A decoration of velvet tamarind leaves is used in preparing medicinal solution for curing jaundice. It also lowers blood sugar and increases insulin sensitivity hence, can be used to treat diabetes.

6. Reliefs Menstrual Cramp and stops Diarrhea

The stem bark extract has significant analgesic property hence, can be used to reduce menstrual pain. You can take it along with papaya leaf, salt and water to work effectively. It can also stop diarrhea.

7. Hemorrhoids (pile)

Piles are swollen veins in the anal canal caused by too much pressure in the pelvic and rectal areas and while not life threatening, these veins can be very painful. A study performed on ethanol leaves extract of velvet tamarind showed it to be beneficial for pile treatment.

8. Treats Scurvy and Wounds

The fruit pulp has high scorbutic acid content which is an anti-scurvy vitamin hence used as food supplement. Tender leaves of velvet tamarind, when squeezed and applied on wounds, stimulates the growth of healthy skin and protects the wounds against germs and moisture.

9. Improves lactation and checks genital infections

A review of several studies has concluded that chewing the fruit pulp increase secretion of milk as well as check infections.

10. Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the body

Oxidation damage which involves free radicals - highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons, is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind ageing and many diseases. The abundance of antioxidants in the leaves helps protect the human body from damage caused by these free radicals when taken.

source : wikinut