Tangy, yet sweet, imli aka tamarind is unarguably a palate pleasing fruit. No wonder it has carved a special place for itself in the Indian kitchens, in the form of chutneys, digestive candies, pickles, and more. However, the uses of this deep and brown colored pulpy fruit, goes beyond just being a kitchen staple. It can be used to rejuvenate and revamp your skin and hair. Packed with assorted vitamins, such as Vitamin C, antioxidants including carotene, minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, this mushy fruit can easily makes its way into your daily skincare regimen
Skin Benefits of Tamarind:
Wondering what would be the effects of applying tamarind topically to your skin? Nothing, but pure beauty! Read on to know in depth about the benefits tamarind has in store for the skin:
1. Lightens Your Skin:
The pulp of tamarind can be used to lighten the skin tone. Just soak 30 grams of this fruit in 150 ml hot water for 10 minutes. Extract the pulp. Mix ½ a teaspoon turmeric powder to this extract. Apply evenly on cleansed skin and leave for 15 minutes. Wash off with tepid water to reveal a fairer and more radiant skin. This pack is ideal for oily skin and can be used by 3 times a week for a glowing skin.
2. Natural Skin Exfoliating Agent:
Tamarind is a wonderful source of alpha hydroxyl acids. AHA, as it is commonly referred to, is one of the major ingredients in various leading exfoliating creams available in the market. These ingredients possess the potential to eliminate the dirt and impurities that lie deep inside the skin, unclogging the clogged skin pores.
Mix one teaspoon tamarind extract with one teaspoon rock salt and 1 tbsp milk cream or yogurt. While milk cream is ideal for dry skin, yogurt works well for oily skin. Mix all the ingredients well. Apply the mixture evenly on your face and using your finger, massage in gentle, circular motions for 5 to 7 minutes to eliminate the dead cells and reveal a clean and clear skin.
3. Innate Skin Bleaching Properties:
Give your skin natural bleach effects with pure and natural tamarind extract. Mix one teaspoon of tamarind extract with one teaspoon each of lemon and honey. Apply this mixture on your face and wash off after 15 minutes for a visibly lighter skin.
4. Natural Remedy For Cellulite:
Are you in search of a good, yet affordable exfoliating agent to eliminate cellulite from your body? Then tamarind could be your answer. Mix 2 teaspoon of fresh tamarind extract with 1 teaspoon each of sugar and lemon juice and half a teaspoon baking soda. Mix the ingredients well. Apply on the skin and using a brush, scrub gently in circular motions. This one will lessen the visibility of cellulite. Make sure you do it before you get your skin waxed as it could otherwise cause blisters. This remedy is just for people with oily skin.
5. Natural Skin Hydrating And Toning Properties:
A bowl of boiled and cooled tamarind water can be used as a natural skin toning and moisturizing agent. Just add 15 grams of tamarind to boiling hot water and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of green tea to the water and simmer for another 5 minutes. Strain both the liquids and mix well. This can be used as a natural skin toning and hydrating agent. All you have to do is allow the mixture to cool and apply.
6. Natural Anti-aging Agent:
Tamarind is packed with various acids, antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins that combat the free radicals. These free radicals can cause premature aging. Apply a pack made with gram flour, tamarind extract, semolina, and honey, on a regular basis, to prevent these damages and give your skin that radiant and youthful look.
7. Removes Dark Circles Around The Neck:
The dark shades on the neck are common in women than men. While many of us resort to bleaching agents as instant solutions, here is one natural ingredient which could have longer lasting effects. Mix in 1 teaspoon tamarind concentrate with 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp rose water. Apply this on the neck and leave for about 20 minutes. Wash off with rose water or warm water. Doing this for a period of time could help in eliminating the darkness completely.
8. For Blemish-Free Skin:
Packed with AHA, tamarind is an established anti-blemish agent. It is also known to act as a natural remedy for pigmentation. Just apply freshly prepared tamarind juice on the face to ease the blemishes and pigmentation and reveal a clear skin.
9. Cure For Inflammatory Skin Conditions:
The Vitamin C, A, and other antioxidants present in tamarind enables it to act as a natural cure for various inflammatory skin conditions, including pimples and acne. Just mix tamarind extract with turmeric powder and fresh yogurt. Apply this pack on your face and allow it to dry. Wash off with warm water and apply a good moisturizer exclusive for oily skin. This will not only combat the skin eruptions, but also ensure that your skin gets a glow.
Hair Benefits of Tamarind:
10. Prevents Hair Loss:
Tamarind is known to strengthen hair and prevent hair loss. Soak a lemon sized ball of tamarind in water for 10 minutes. Extract the liquid and massage it all over your scalp and hair. Dip a towel in warm water and squeeze out the extra water. Use this hot towel to cover your hair and scalp. Leave as such for half an hour. Rinse off thoroughly with a good shampoo followed by a conditioner. This can be repeated twice a week to prevent hair loss.
Health Benefits of Tamarind:
Let us now discuss how regular usage of tamarind is beneficial as it contains various nutrients in different proportions that are desired by the body. The tamarind benefits are as follows.
11. Antiseptic:
Tamarind is used as an antiseptic to heal wounds and to prevent infections from spreading in the body.
12. Bilious disorders:
Tamarind is an effective cure for bilious disorders. it plays an indirect yet very important role in controlling the cholesterol levels in the body. Dietary fibres in tamarind binds to bile salts formed from cholesterol and decrease its re-absorption. This helps excrete bad cholesterol and keeps your heart healthy.
13. Malaria:
Tamarind mixes well in herbal tea and is used for treating malaria fever.
14. Jaundice:
A decoction of tamarind leaves is used in preparing medicinal solutions for curing jaundice and ulcers.
15. Inflammation:
Inflammation is a very serious skin care problem and also affects a few internal organs of the body that can cause a great deal of discomfort and even pain for some. Tamarind is a good medicine for treating inflammation of the skin.
16. Cancer:
Tamarind is a good source of antioxidants and helps in curbing the growth of cancerous products in the body by preventing free radicals from being formed which conduct unwanted reactions in the body.
17. Eye drops, stomach worms, sore throat:
Tamarind when mixed with other solutions makes an effective treatment for eye cleansing and for relieving stomach worms. Sore throats are also cured by such solutions.
18. Laxative:
Tamarind pulp is used as a mild laxative. This impacts the sluggishness of the bowels and a few spoonfuls of the pulp can improve bowel movements considerably.
19. Piles:
Tamarind juice, extracted from its flowers is used in the treatment of piles.
20. Blood purification:
Tamarind in general participates in the purification of blood, and hence including it in daily meals is extremely beneficial.
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