Mango fruit is a mouth-watering fruit, but it has great medicinal values. It’s all parts are useful right from the roots to tender shoots.
Summers seem joyous with myriad mangoes all over. The thought of Mangoes is mouth-watering, but did you know it has great medicinal values. The bark, leaf, flowers, fruit,seed and root offer a variety of medicinal purposes.If you have travelled on road especially in warmer regions like UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Central India you will be awed by the beautiful sight of Mango trees. The large ever-green trees with widely spreading branches and dark coloured bark with leaves crowded at the end of the branches and numerous mangoes (green /yellow) hanging down is festive to the eyes. The fruits come in varied sized right from small lemon sized ones to large baseball sized ones.
Some Interesting facts of Mango:
1. The king of fruits, Mango is the national fruit of India.
2. Though its popularity is in the midst of summerif observed it is introduced during Vasant Panchami (March/April) . In Hindu tradition, mango leaves are a must during festivals. They are considered auspicious and spread positivity. We even décor our home entrance door by hanging up the leaves as an epitome of fortune and blessing.
3. There are almost 24 varieties of mango. Right from Alphonso of Ratnagiri to Malda of West Bengal, from Dasheri of UP to Totapuri and Raspuri of
4. A great variety of dishes are prepared with mango depending on culinary arts – Aamchur(dry mango powder), pulpy mango seekarane, satiating mango juice, mango shrikhand, raw mango rasam, tender mango pickle, kacchaaam chutney, ambyasatt (mango jam), famous aampanna, mango rice etc. Apart from these mango cake, mango ice cream, mango mousse, mango candy, umpteen combinations of mango salad etc.
5. Ripe mangoes are to be eaten after a meal. They should not be eaten alone or in large quantities because they can aggravate the doshas, especially Pitta dosha.
6. Sour fruits are not to be blended with milk, as it is not compatible by nature. So always choose mango juice than mango milkshake.
7. Mangoes are rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The fruit contains Vitamins A, B and D, and richer Vitamin C.
Medicinal uses and health benefits of Mango:
Mango is used in Ayurveda preparations to treat numerous disorders. It’s all parts are useful right from the roots to tender shoots. But, the pharmacodynamics of ripe and unripe mango are different and so are their therapeutic actions. Elaborating on few,
1. Raw mangoes are sour and astringent in taste. They are great appetizers but can vitiate the blood tissue. Sun dried slices of unripe mango is effective in scurvy.The fried skin peel is given with sugar in heavy menstrual bleeding in women.In bleeding dysentery, the powder with honey and milk is used. The unripe fruit is fried (or boiled) and pulp is macerated for preparing a recipe with sugar and spices. This is useful in sunstroke and sudden tiredness due to exposure to heat. The dried powder form is a household spice used for various preparations. Excess consumption of sour mango makes the digestion weak, vitiates the blood, constipating and causes bloating. In such times, use ginger water/cumin seeds decoction with salt to mitigate the effect.
2. Ripe mangoes are sweet and lubricating to the body tissues.
1. It is helpful in constipation. The insoluble fibre in mangoes, aids the elimination of waste from the colon and helps prevent constipation.
2. It is a cardiac tonic, blood coagulant and useful in haemorrhagic disorders1
3. Useful in seminal abnormalities
4. Mango juice is a great remedy for reducing heat strokes and exhaustion.
5. It is bulk promoting.
6. Good for the skin Nutritional contents in Mango makes skin lubricated and therefore prevents sagging and wrinkling.
7. Mango helps in treat certain disorders arising from deficiency of Vitamin C, as it is a huge source.
8. Research adds that mango is anti-cancerous, reduces inflammation in the body, antioxidant2,3.
Medicinal uses and Health benefits of other parts of mango tree
1. Bark: Its powder is used in medicinal formulations to cure infections, menstrual irregularities, heavy menses, loose stools, dysentery and skin problems. The decoction from bark powder is helpful in treating inflamed gums as a mouth rinse.
2. Leaves:The decoction is useful in treating diarrhoea and diabetes. The smoke by burning leaves is inhaled for relieving hiccup and throat infections. The ash obtained by burning leaves is used as a dusting powder in burns, scalds and bruises. Like the bark, infusion of leaves is useful in tooth-ache, bleeding gums and sore throat. The leaves are anti-emetic i.e., they are useful to check nausea and vomiting.
3. Gum/Resin:The resinous gum is a great source for treating skin problems in the form of ointments.
4. Seeds and Kernel: It is used to treat diarrhoea, piles, uterine problems and heavy or abnormal menstrual bleeding. Seeds powder is used in formulations to treat worm infestations and urinary problems. Oil prepared from mango seeds is useful to treat hair fall.
5. Flowers are pale yellow, aromatic greenish yellow in colour. They are blood purifiers and appetizers. Flower powder is used to treat wounds and burns.
So, enjoy the season of mangoes before it ends. Eat and treat your body, mind and soul to the goodness of this marvellous king of fruits- Mango.
Disclaimer:This article does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249901/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452255/
Baby Ganeriwala, K. S. Gudaganatti, U B Bolmal. Mangifera Indica (Amra) And Its Seed Kernel – An Useful Drug. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research. 2016;4(11):75-83
Sanmathi Puneeth
Shubha Ayurvedic Centre & Sriranga Ayurveda
Basavanagudi, Bangalore-560004.
Ph:. 7829488352, 080-26627717
srirangaayurveda.com
