Five UGM students have successfully concocted a balm for healing wounds and, as an antiseptic, Tamarinda Balm, using tamarind leaves (Tamarindus indica).
The idea of utilizing tamarind leaves originated from Muadz Fikri Gunawan, Khansa Auliya Putri Dewanto, Cokorda Keigoputra Pemayun, Abdi Cahyo Negoro, and Fitria Desy Nur Fajar, who sought to provide an alternative herbal skin care product not only effective in accelerating wound healing but also devoid of antibiotic resistance and allergic reactions, rashes, or redness on the skin.
“Numerous skin care products promise wound healing. However, many of them cause allergic reactions, rashes, and redness on the skin, usually due to the addition of fragrance oils or hazardous synthetic chemical excipients,” said team leader Muadz Gunawan on Wednesday (October 11).
“Additionally, antibiotic medications that support wound healing can lead to antibiotic resistance.”
Hence, they formulated a safe and effective wound care product using a phytopharmaceutical approach based on natural compounds safe for the skin.
They used tamarind leaves, known for containing bioactive compounds beneficial as antiseptics and potentially aiding wound healing.
“Tamarind trees are quite abundant in Yogyakarta, but their utilization has been suboptimal, so we made an effort to process them to be more beneficial and economically valuable,” said Gunawan.
Fitria Nur Fajar explained that tamarind leaves contain bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. These compounds possess strong antiseptic activity and effectively prevent wound infections.
Using tamarind leaves can naturally clean wounds and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Moreover, tamarind leaves also contain wound-healing properties, stimulating the growth of new skin cells and expediting the wound-healing process.
“Furthermore, it helps reduce the risk of permanent scar formation,” she added.
If there is inflammation at the wound site, tamarind leaves can also help reduce swelling and redness around the wound, as they contain anti-inflammatory compounds.
Tamarind leaves also have antioxidant properties that protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals. This accelerates the healing process and prevents complications.
In addition to using tamarind as the main ingredient, Tamarinda Balm also contains lavender essential oil, which is rich in terpenoids, linalool, and linalyl acetate, making it a potential antioxidant, antibacterial, anxiolytic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent.
The addition of lavender essential oil also provides a relaxing effect.
“We have also added vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, protecting the skin from oxidative stress and expediting wound healing,” said Khanza Dewanto.
Fitria Nur Fajar added that the product is developed in a balm form for convenience. Balm enhances topical adhesion and facilitates penetration into the skin tissue.
Tamarinda Balm is now available in the market. It costs Rp12,000 per unit and can be ordered via Instagram: @pkmugm_tamarinda.balm. If you are seeking an herbal solution for wound healing, don’t hesitate to try this product made by UGM students.
Author: Ika
Photographer: Donnie