Identity:
The mango is known as the “king of fruits.” In Sanskrit it is called amra or chuta. In Bengali and Hindi it is called aam or amra-phal.
The mango tree grows tall, with a large, dense canopy. The leaves are simple, alternate, and about 8–10 inches long, with a reticulate venation pattern.
The tree bears fruit from December to March, and the fruits ripen from June to July. Raw mangoes are green.
Uses:
Ayurvedic texts clearly describe the mango as a fruit with many beneficial properties. For example:
- Tender (unripe) mangoes increase blood and bile.
- Semi-ripe mangoes increase bile.
- Fully ripe mangoes improve complexion, nourish the flesh and reproductive fluids, and increase strength.
Drinking milk mixed with mango increases both vitality and vigor. But if mangoes are eaten in quantities exceeding one’s digestive capacity, they can do more harm than good. One must remember that no fruit—not just mangoes—should be eaten at night.
Mangoes are naturally cooling, but nowadays all kinds of fruits are artificially ripened, so it’s difficult to say anything definite about their cooling nature.
Naturally tree-ripened ripe mangoes do not cause boils. But most mangoes sold in the market are artificially ripened while still unripe. This is why those with excess bile in their constitution often develop boils after eating them. Tree-ripened mangoes, however, do not cause this problem.
Medicines are made from the leaves, bark, flowers, seeds, and sap (latex) of the mango tree.
Dried and powdered tender mango leaves, taken in small amounts daily, help cleanse the bowels and bladder.
Almost everyone knows about the use of mango leaves for burns. If mango leaves are burned and the ashes are mixed with ghee or coconut oil and applied to the burn, it heals very quickly—this is well tested.
If the kernel of the mango seed is dried, powdered, and taken in small amounts for a few consecutive days, it helps reduce leucorrhea in women.
