Tamarindus indica
Tamarind
Tamarindus indica, commonly known as tamarind, is a versatile tropical tree prized for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Its tangy fruit pulp, seeds, and leaves are utilized in traditional medicine to treat digestive issues, reduce inflammation, and manage fever. This ancient plant remains a vital staple in holistic healing.
- Scientific name: Tamarindus indica
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is completed within the genus Tamarindus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tamarindus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Tamarindus indica, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 酸豆 (suāndòu), while in Javanese, it is called asem jawa. It is known as Tamaryndowiec indyjski in Polish and as Tamarindo in Basque. Finally, in Tamil, the plant is commonly called புளி (puḷi).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 酸豆 | Wikidata |
| jv | asem jawa | Wikidata |
| pl | Tamaryndowiec indyjski | Wikidata |
| eu | Tamarindo | Wikidata |
| ta | புளி | Wikidata |
| oc | Tamarind | Wikidata |
| ms | Asam jawa | Wikidata |
| hu | tamarindusz | Wikidata |
| to | Tamaline | Wikidata |
| bn | তেঁতুল | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing in both Egypt and Libya. Its presence extends into the Macaronesia region, specifically within Cape Verde. Furthermore, the species is established in West Tropical Africa. Within this tropical zone, it is documented in both Benin and Burkina.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Tamarindus indica, offers various therapeutic benefits through several of its different anatomical components. The leaves, often referred to as the leaf in singular form, are frequently utilized in traditional remedies for their cooling properties and ability to treat inflammation. The stem bark is also highly valued, often prepared as a decoction to aid in digestive issues or to reduce fever. Additionally, the fruits serve as a primary source of nutrition and medicine, providing a tart pulp used to alleviate various ailments. Even the seeds play a role in medicinal applications, often being processed to treat skin conditions or digestive distress.- Total parts
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 28
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| stem bark | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit pulp | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem-bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed coat | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pulp | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Tamarindus indica has 55 reported phytochemicals identified across 65 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, antioxidants, lupeol, phenol, saponins.
- Total chemicals
- 55
- Scientific sources
- 65
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| antioxidants | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-Methyl-2-furoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-O-Methyl-d-glucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Tamarindus indica has 13 reported activities identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiapoptotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Tamarindus indica has 45 reported medicinal uses identified across 56 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, malaria, wound healing, Staphylococcus aureus, antidiabetic.
- Total uses
- 45
- Scientific sources
- 56
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aeromonas hydrophila | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus cereus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |