Evidence supporting the use of: Tamarind
For the health condition: Constipation (children)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) has a longstanding history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in South Asia and Africa, where it is employed as a natural remedy for constipation in both adults and children. The pulp of tamarind fruit contains organic acids (including tartaric acid), dietary fiber, and certain sugars that are believed to exert a mild laxative effect. In traditional practice, tamarind pulp is often consumed directly or prepared as a sweetened beverage to relieve digestive discomfort and promote bowel movements.
Despite its widespread traditional use, scientific studies specifically evaluating tamarind's laxative effects in children are limited. Some animal studies and small clinical observations suggest that the fruit may increase intestinal motility and stool frequency due to its fiber content and osmotic properties. However, these findings are not robustly confirmed in large, well-controlled human trials, especially in pediatric populations.
Major pharmacopoeias and herbal compendia note tamarind's traditional application for constipation, but most official guidelines do not list tamarind as a first-line treatment for pediatric constipation. Thus, while tamarind is traditionally used for this purpose and plausibly exerts mild laxative effects, the current evidence base is modest and primarily anecdotal.
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apricot
bacillus coagulans
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basil
beet
myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blackberry
blueberry
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carrot
chamomile
chicory
cinnamon
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
grape
green banana
guar gum
cellulose
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus reuteri
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mannitol
moringa
nettle
orange
pear
phellodendron amurense
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
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prune
psyllium
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raspberry
rhizome
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
tomato
triphala
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seaweed
watermelon
squawvine
cascara sagrada
tangerine
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
blackboard tree
root tuber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
polyphenols
senna
peach
indigo leaves
soursop
Agar
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Amomum
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Bitter Grass
Bael
Butternut
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Coconut
Curry leaf
Cascaroside
Cactus
Cynomorium
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cyclanthera pedata
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Celosia
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthrone
Date
Eclipta
Fig
Fruit
Fiber
Frangula
Fructan
Guava
Galactomannan
Galactooligosaccharides
Glucofrangulin
Galangal
Hydroxycellulose
Hygrophila
Honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Long Pepper
Indian Kinotree
Jalap
Jungli-bean
Karaya Gum
Kefir
Lactitol
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Ligustilides
Luffa
Lodhtree
methylcellulose
Mucilage
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Osmanthus
Oryza Sativa
Phyllanthus
Palmyra
Phaeophyceae
Polysaccharides
Plantago
Phosphate Salt
Probiotics
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
Rubiaceae
Rhamnus Nakaharai
Rhubarb
Ricinoleic acid
Sennosides
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Solanum indicum
Slippery Elm
Sulfated polysaccharide
Tea
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Yerba buena
Yacon
Zucchini
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Tamarind
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Blood Poisoning
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Dehydration
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Edema
Fatigue
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Gout
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hypertension