Tamarind is a name used in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the fruit of the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica Linn.), a plant in the legume family. It is distributed in Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and Yunnan. It has the effects of clearing heat, relieving summer heat, harmonizing the stomach, and eliminating food stagnation. It is commonly used to treat heatstroke, loss of appetite, malnutrition in children, morning sickness, and constipation.
Tamarind
Tamarind is a name used in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the fruit of the tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica Linn.), a plant in the legume family. It is distributed in Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and Yunnan. It has the effects of clearing heat, relieving summer heat, harmonizing the stomach, and eliminating food stagnation. It is commonly used to treat heatstroke, loss of appetite, malnutrition in children, morning sickness, and constipation.
Chinese Name : 酸角
Latin Name : Tamarindus indica Linn.
Aliases : Sour Dumplings, Manmu, Sour Plums, Tongxuexiang
Authentic Producing Area : Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Sweet and sour in taste; cool in nature. Enters the Heart and Stomach meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Clears heat and relieves summer heat; harmonizes the stomach and eliminates food stagnation.
Indications
Heatstroke, loss of appetite, childhood malnutrition, morning sickness, and constipation.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Decoct 15–30 g; or prepare as a paste.
Precautions
Not suitable for individuals with excessive stomach acid.
Pharmacological Actions
1. Antibacterial effects. 2. Effects on the urinary system. 3. Other effects: Mild laxative effect.
Relevant Discussions
*Herbal Medicine of Southern Yunnan*: “Treats phlegm caused by alcohol that accumulates in the stomach.” *Chronicle of Sichuan Chinese Medicinal Herbs* (1979 edition): “Clears heat and promotes fluid production; aids digestion and eliminates food stagnation; expels parasites. Used for heatstroke, heat-related fluid depletion, thirst and dry throat, abdominal pain due to parasitic infestation in children, and food stagnation.”
Applications
Related Compatibility
To treat phlegm caused by alcohol that obstructs the stomach: Simmer tamarind with white sugar to make a decoction; take one qian in the morning and evening. (*Herbal Medicine of Southern Yunnan*)
Notes
In folk medicine, tamarind is used as a sour seasoning and to make refreshing beverages.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Harvest in spring and sun-dry.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
The fruit is oblong, 3–6 cm long, and approximately 1.5 cm in diameter. The surface is dark brown; the pericarp is relatively thick and hard, containing 3–10 seeds. The seeds are oblong or nearly round, with a reddish-brown surface that is smooth and glossy. They have a faint odor and a sour taste.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
A plant of the Fabaceae family, known as tamarind.
Morphological Characteristics
An evergreen tree, 6–20 m tall. The bark is dark gray and irregularly fissured. The leaves are even-pinnate, arranged alternately; the petioles are short and stout; there are 14–40 leaflets, which are oblong, 1–2.4 cm long and 4–9 mm wide, with a blunt or slightly notched apex, a nearly rounded, asymmetrical base, and are glabrous on both surfaces with entire margins.Flowers are arranged in axillary racemes or terminal panicles; the calyx tube is spindle-shaped, with 4 lanceolate lobes; the corolla is yellow with purplish-red stripes, with the upper 3 petals well-developed and the lower 2 reduced to scale-like structures;there are 3 stamens, with filaments fused below the middle, and 3–5 spiny, stunted stamens; the ovary is stalked and contains numerous ovules. The pod is thick and fleshy, cylindrical, straight or slightly curved, grayish-brown, 3–6 cm long, and about 2 cm wide; when ripe, the fruit is reddish-brown and sour in taste.Each pod contains 3–10 seeds, which are nearly rectangular, reddish-brown, and glossy. Flowering occurs from May to August, and fruiting from July to December through May of the following year.
Distribution Area
It is distributed in Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and Yunnan.