Ayurveda says “Mango fruit is aphrodisiac, mango seed oil is good for hair and skin, leaves and bark are useful in IBS, diarrhoea and dysentery.”
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With the onset of summer, mango – the king of fruits has flooded the market. The bright yellow colored fruit is relished by everyone almost every day. With the start of summer season raw mangoes which are suitable for pickling keep women busy. Mangoes are available in different varieties. Mango lovers throng fruit stalls to buy the ripe mango of their choice.
Mango belongs to the family “Anacardiaceae”. It has the scientific name “Magnifera Indica” and is widely found in India and south East Asia. Mango trees have deep roots and reach the height of 40 ft – 120 ft . Young mango leaves are copper in color and matured ones have deep green color. The flowers of mango tree are mostly male which supply pollens and few are bisexual which help in formation of fruits.
Ayurveda Medicinal Properties of Mango
Bark, leaves, flowers, seed, raw and ripe fruits of mango have myriad medicinal uses. Texts of ayurveda mention various herbal preparations using different parts of mango tree. These preparations are used to normalize a variety of health conditions.
Medicinal properties of leaves, bark and seeds
These parts are astringent to taste (kashaya rasa) and after digestion (vipaka) it shows pungent taste (katu rasa) . These are light to digest (laghu) and reduce body heat and act as coolants (sheeta veerya). They cause dryness of body tissues (ruksha). These plant parts of mango balance Kapha dosha and Pitta dosha.
Medicinal properties of unripe mango
Unripe mango or raw mango has three tastes sour taste (amla rasa), astringent taste (kashaya rasa ) and pungent taste (Katu rasa). Raw fruit dries body tissues (ruksha) and improves taste. It imbalances pitta dosha, vata dosha and blood (rakta dhatu).
Medicinal properties of ripe mango
Ripe mango fruit is sweet to taste (madhura rasa) and has a tinge of astringent taste (kashaya anu rasa). It balances vata dosha, pitta dosha and is heavy to digest (guru). It increases sliminess and mucous secretion (snigdha and picchila)
Ayurvedic Uses and Benefits of Mango bark, leaves and Flowers
Mango tree is treasure house of medicinal properties. All its parts are very useful in improving health. Here are few uses, benefits and home remedies with mango tree parts
Bark, flower, leaves and seed kennel are used to prevent bleeding and to heal chronic wounds. These also help in controlling IBS (irritable Bowel Syndrome), diarrhoea and dysentery. The seed kernel helps to eliminate intestinal parasites and to control dysfunctional uterine bleeding which happens during menopause, PCOS or PCOD. Seed kernel and tender leaves are useful in urinary tract infections. Bark and seed kernel of mango are used in ayurvedic treatment for PCOS or PCOD. These herbal preparations help to reduce inflammation of uterus. Mango leaves reduce vomiting sensation.
Mango seed for hair and skin
Mango seeds have myriad uses. It is used in preparation of oil, mango butter and mango seed powder for hair.
Mango seed oil
Mango seed oil is used on hair to prevent dandruff and hair loss. This oil is also used to increase glow and health of skin.
Mango butter which is extracted from kernel of mango seeds is used in cosmetic industry to prepare body butters and moisturising lotions.
Mango seed powder
Mango seed powder is used as hair pack along with other herbs like fenugreek seed powder, hibiscus powder etc to increase hair shine, growth and scalp health.
Mango kernel powder is boiled in water till it becomes semi solid. This cooked paste is given along with curd three times daily in diarrhoea .
Mango Leaves Home Remedies
- Usually tender leaves of mango are crushed with black pepper seeds. This mix is administered in stomach pain diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Fresh jamun leaves and tender mango leaves are crushed along with pinch of turmeric, a small piece of jaggery, little bit of curds and small quantity of water. The fine paste thus obtained can be applied on scars and marks created by psoriasis and eczema. This helps to get back the natural skin colour.
- Mango tea prepared by yellow ripe leaves of mango is energising and revitalising.
Mango Flowers for skin diseases
Mango flower tea helps to heal many skin diseases and is an excellent body coolant. This tea is very useful in ayurvedic treatment for cystitis and UTI
Ayurveda Health Benefits of Ripe Sweet Mango
Ripe mango normalizes vata and pitta. It helps as best natural ayurvedic remedy for constipation and normalize digestion. Consumption of ripe mango increases hemoglobin in blood and is very useful in treating anaemia. Ayurvedic texts eulogize the uses of ripe mango as an aphrodisiac. It is known to rejuvenate male reproductive system and increase quality and quantity of semen. It also increases sexual energy (as it nourishes rakta dhatu and boosts strength of shukra dhatu) and stamina. Thus mango can be considered as best ayurvedic medicine for erectile dysfunction and low libido. Ripe mango strengthens the body, increases body bulk and increases glow of skin
Ayurvedic Nutritional facts of mango
Texts of Ayurveda commend its nutritional and medicinal value. The following are nutritional facts of mango
It increases Body Weight:
Mango is rich in carbohydrates .Therefore helps to gain weight and energy. Ayurveda acharyas have indicated, that mangoes cause “Brimhanatwa” (increase in weight) and increase “Bala” (strength). This fruit is strongly recommended in ayurveda weight gain therapy or brumhana therapy
Best remedy for anemia:
Persons who suffer from anemia are benefited by this fruit as it contains iron and copper. (Read copper water benefits for hair) .The presence of vitamin C in mango helps in complete absorption of iron from diet. Hence its use is indicated in “Pandu” (anemia) in ayurveda.
Mango is rich in dietary fiber. High fibers in mango fruit help to relieve constipation. This property helps to normalize doshas and help to expel body toxins. This has a double benefits. Since this fruit is aphrodisiac and also relieves constipation , this is highly recommended in erectile dysfunction due to constipation.
Good aphrodisiac fruit :
This fruit is a good source of a variety of minerals and vitamins which help to increase sexual energy. Hence ayurveda acharyas call this fruit as “Vrishya”. This means the one which help in erectile dysfunction, to increase quality and quantity of semen and act as aphrodisiac. Mango fruit is considered as Vajikarana Food in ayurveda.
Increases fairness and glow of skin:
Natural vitamins of mango (Vitamin A, Vitamin C) help to relieve clogged pores of skin and increases fairness and glow of skin. Hence this fruit is known for its property of “Varnya” in ayurveda. It helps to maintain the integrity of skin layers.
Different parts of mango tree are known to help in following conditions
Can Diabetes patients eat Mango ?:
Research scholars from Austarlia have found that mango is very useful in diabetes patients. But this fact has yet to be evaluated. Persons suffering from diabetes can eat this fruit in limited quantities as it is high in glycemic index. One suitable option for diabetic patients to enjoy mangoes is ,to reduce portion of carbohydrates (rice, wheat, ragi , jowhar) in diet and add mango in its place. Keep checking blood sugar level daily when you consume mango.
Ayurvedic Way of Eating Mangoes
- Do not forget to add or sprinkle a pinch of dry ginger powder or 1 tea spoon of ginger juice to a glass of mango smoothie or mango fruit slices. This nullifies the imbalances which happen during digestion of mango.
- Never mix mangoes with milk. Mango and milk are opposite in nature. This combination forms opposite foods which can imbalance doshas in body.
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