African black velvet tamarind is one of the most uncommon fruits of west Africa. The name knows as Ichiku or Ichilikum in Africa. It is a seasonal fruit that is grown In tropical areas in Africa and other tropical places in Asia like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The fruit has a velvet shell, and because of the shell, it got the name velvet tamarind. It has brown circular seeds inside and orange pop with a sweet tangy flavor. It can be eaten fresh, dried, or soaked in water and then drunk as juice
The seeds are utilized for a variety of applications, including culinary, medicinal, and traditional uses. Traditionally, black velvet tamarind, which contains the roots, leaves, and bark of the black velvet tamarind tree, has been used to treat a variety of ill-health issues.
health benefits
African black velvet fruit has several health benefits as it is packed with lots of nutrients that help with promoting good health. The essential health benefits of the fruit are:
01) Cures MAlaria
Black velvet tamarind is effective in curing malaria. Taking the decoction of black velvet tamarind can prevent the growth of plasmodium falciparum, which is the cause of malaria. Therefore, the malaria patient will recover quickly.
02) gastric ulcer
The second benefit of black velvet tamarind to human health is the treatment of gastric ulcers. This tamarind increases mucus secretion in the stomach to help treat gastric ulcers and protect the colon against cancer cells. Consumption should be within the recommended serving amount.
03) Controls hypertension
Potassium is found in black velvet tamarind that is able to control the heartbeat and make the heart easier in pumping blood. Black velvet tamarind can lead to lowered blood pressure, or in other words, reduce hypertension.
04) Anti-inflammatory
Almost all kinds of tamarinds contain vitamin C In the pulp, A major benefit of the vitamin C in the pulp of the black velvet tamarind is the ability to fight infection caused by microbes. In addition, it can also reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes because of bronchitis
05) TREATS DIABETES
As included in the Diabetes Treatments With Natural Sources and Activities, black velvet tamarind is also beneficial to treat generative diseases, such as diabetes. It is able to lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity.
06) Boosts immune system
Antioxidant added with vitamin C is a good combination to perform the health benefit of black velvet tamarind. The combination is very useful to boost the immune system of our body. Therefore, long-term consumption of black velvet tamarind in the recommended intake will ensure long-term health from microbial and fungal infection.
07) Lowers cholesterol level
The other health benefit you can get from consuming black velvet tamarind is fulfilling your need for dietary fiber. The dietary fiber from the sticky pulp of Black velvet tamarind is very useful to reduce the bad cholesterol in the blood.
08) Cures dry eyes
In research studies by research gate, it has been determined that the compound in black velvet tamarind decoction is similar to mucin in the eye. The mucin in our bodies is beneficial. It protects and moisturizes our cornea. Therefore, the black velvet tamarind’s compounds are now planned to be used as one of the ingredients for eye drops as the treatment for dry eyes.