Knowledge of Sampalok as an herbal medicine
Scientific name: Tamarindus officinalis Gaertn .; Tamarindus indica Linn .; Tamarindus occidentalis Gaertn .; Tamarindus umbrosa Salisb.
Common name: Sampalok (Tagalog); Tamarind (English)
Tamarind is a large tree commonly planted in low-lying areas and even in cities and vacant lots. These large trees are also commonly seen on the side of the road as ornamental plants. Its leaves are small but clusters when grown while its sour fruit is oblong and bulging. Its fruit is usually used as a sourdough in porridge cooking, or as a sweetener to be eaten as candy.
What are the nutrients and chemicals available in Sampalok?
Different parts of the tamarind plant can contain many types of chemicals and nutrients that can have health benefits:
The plant contains oils, citric, acetic, butyric and oxalic acids, tannin and pectin.
It also contains carbohydrates, and the essential minerals potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium
The flesh of the fruit contains citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, bitartrate of potash, sugar, gum, vegetable jelly (pectin), parenchyma, and water. Its fruits are also rich in vitamins B and C.
The bark has tannin
What part of the plant is used as medicine, and how are they used?
Some parts of the plant can be used as medicine such as:
Leaves. The leaves can be boiled and drunk and washed on the affected part of the body. It can also be ground and used as a poultice.
Flowers. The fruit can be crushed and mixed with the drink to cure. Eating the fruit itself is also effective for certain conditions.
Wood bark. The bark of the tamarind tree can be boiled and given to the sick. It can also be crushed and applied to the skin.
Bones. Bones are often crushed and stewed and given to the sick.
What diseases can Sampalok treat?
1. Fever. Taro leaves can be bathed or wiped on a patient with fever. This will help reduce the patient's fever. Drinking the crushed flesh of tamarind fruit mixed with water will also help.
2. Constipation. Eating ripe tamarind fruit with a glass of water is a great softener for dirt.
3. Asthma. Drinking chopped tamarind bark can help relieve asthma symptoms. Drink it after meals and before bed.
4. Boil. The crushed bark of the tamarind tree is an effective poultice on the skin affected by the boil.
5. Sharpening of joints and heels. The crushed tamarind leaf can also be applied to the drying condition of the joints and feet to alleviate the condition.
6. Afternoon throat. Water soaked in tamarind fruit can be rinsed to relieve sore throat condition. Mumming can also help with the bark of the tamarind tree.
7. Rheumatism. Crushed cheap tamarind leaves are applied to joints that suffer from rheumatism.
8. Diarrhea. Drinking tamarind leaf juice to cure diarrhea. Drinking crushed bone marrow is also effective for diarrhea conditions.
Disclaimer: Herbs can help with a variety of ailments. But many of them do not yet have enough education and no certainty yet. Mediko.PH cannot guarantee that they are effective because the effects of herbal medicines may work on some, but others may not work. As with any medicine, it is important to consult your herbal doctor.
