The mango tree enjoys a unique status in our country due to its medicinal, commercial, and ceremonial utilities. It is praised as a heavenly fruit by the Vedas and the Ayurvedic classics describe it as phalashreshtha (the king of fruits).
Almost every part of the mango tree—from the bark to the kernel—has a medicinal use, according to Ayurveda.
MEDICINAL USES
• Unripe mangoes: They contain plenty of starch and acids like citric, oxalic, malic, and succinic. These acids increase the secretion of bile and act as an intestinal antiseptic. Eating one or two small mangoes with honey and pepper controls biliousness and urticarial rash. Tender mango is a rich source of pectin which has an anti-diarrhea effect. It is used for treating summer diarrhea, dysentery, piles, morning sickness, indigestion, and constipation. You can prepare a remedial summer drink for heatstroke from an unripe mango by cooking it in hot ashes and mixing the pith with sugar and water. The curative value of green mango may be attributed to its enormous vitamin C content. It is estimated that an unripe mango will supply as much vitamin C as five to six lemons. It is a good cure for scurvy and promotes resistance against various infections. Ayurveda also warns about the undesirable effects of unripe mango such as throat irritation, indigestion, dysentery-like stools and abdominal colic, if used in excess. Also, do not drink cold water immediately after eating the unripe fruit as there is a chance of coagulation of the sap, which is the causative factor for throat irritation. Sap is the milky juice that runs on breaking the stalk of the tender fruit. However, this sap can be used externally with care in treating scabies, psoriasis, ringworm, and scorpion bites.
• Ripe mango: The ripe fruit is sweet, slightly astringent and has a cooling effect. It reduces vaata and increases kapha. Eating a ripe mango supplies energy, increases appetite, digests food, quenches thirst, and prevents constipation. It is a common myth that mangoes cause dysentery and diarrhea. Mangoes by themselves are devoid of gastrointestinal irritants. The cause of such incidents may be attributed to bacterial infection, which takes place while handling the fruits. However, as the ripe fruit is heavy to digest, it is advisable to eat this along with a pinch of ajwain. Ripe mangoes are a good source of vitamin A, so it is good for the eyes. It is a well-known fact that most diseases are caused due to bacterial invasion into our body through the epithelium—the surface layer of mucous membranes and other body linings. Mangoes help the formation of healthy epithelium, thereby preventing frequent attacks of common infections such as cold, rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. Taking a glassful of mango juice daily, along with honey and milk, is the best general tonic for all ages. Taking a glassful of mango juice after mixing it with half the quantity of fresh carrot juice, once daily for two to three months, helps dissolve urinary stones and prevents urinary infections.
• Kernel: Mango kernels are rich in gallic acid, which has an astringent effect. A paste of mango kernels or dried powder of it, half teaspoonful mixed with buttermilk, can be taken to control diarrhea, dysentery, intestinal worms and bleeding disorders. Mango kernel is used as one of the ingredients in the famous Ayurvedic formula Pushyaanuga choorna, which is used for treating gynecological diseases. It is also used in preparations to keep the hair dark and healthy. Try this ancient recipe: Take fresh mango kernel 150 gm, fresh marigold flower petals 150 gm, pure til oil 300 gm; boil all the ingredients over a slow fire until the petals turn soft and begin to dissolve in the oil. Transfer the mass into an iron vessel and cover its mouth with a tight lid. Bury the vessel in the earth for a month before using it. Apply this oil on the hair regularly.
• Leaves: Mango leaves are considered to be very sacred in our country. As they are astringent in nature, they also can be used to control diarrhea and cholera. Diabetics can take the fresh juice of these leaves along with bitter gourd juice, each 5 ml, twice a day, for at least two months to notice a significant difference in blood sugar levels.
• Flowers: One tablespoonful of dried mango flowers mixed with an equal quantity of honey is used for treating spermatorrhea. You could also make a natural mosquito repellent by burning the dry flowers on coals.
• Bark: Mango bark is extensively used in Ayurveda, both externally in the form of douche and internally in the form of juice for treating menstrual disorders and leucorrhoea.
• Gum: The mango gum is a mixture of tree exudate and mud deposited by white ants. It is fragile and dark brown in color. You can make a pain-relieving liniment by heating it along with lime juice, aloe and turmeric powder. Apply it over sprains and aching joints.
PLEASE NOTE
Eating mangoes does not cause dysentery or diarrhea. Mangoes do not have any intestinal irritants, but the cause of such episodes is the bacterial infection that takes place while eating mangoes with contaminated hands and eating rotten mangoes infested with maggots. However, eating mangoes in excess causes indigestion which can be checked by eating them with a pinch of ajwain and eating a piece of ripe mango peel after eating the pulp. Drinking cow milk sweetened with honey also prevents the ill-effects of excessive intake of mangoes. It can be noted that eating mangoes, which have more fiber, may cause colic, diarrhea and hyperactivity of the intestines. However, their moderate use is found to be effective for high blood pressure and constipation.