Tamarindus occidentalis Gaertn., Tamarindus offi cinalis Hook.'s Relationship with Humans
Wood very hard, and close grained and takes a fine polish, it is resistant and durable but susceptible to termite attack (Hiwale 2015). It has been used in making furniture, wheels, mallets, rice pounders, mortars, pestles, plows, well construction, tent pegs, canoes, side planks for boats, cart shafts and axles, and naves of wheels, toys, hubs, oil presses, sugar presses, tools and tool handles, turnery, etc.
Tamarind products, leaves, fruits, and seeds have been extensively used in traditional medicine (Hiwale 2015; Lim 2012, PROSEA 2017).
The most common and widespread use of tamarind is the edible tamarind fruit, which is available worldwide in pod form, as a paste or concentrate (Lim 2012). Tamarind pulp is used for making various chutneys, sauces, jams, jellies, marmalades, preserves, confection, cakes puddings, beverages and drinks.
Tamarindus indica is also planted for its ornamental value.