Mango (Aam)
Also known as
Latin : Mangifera Indica
English : Mango
Sanskrit : Amrah
Hindi : Aam
Marathi : Amba
Tamil : Mamaram
Telugu : Mamidi
Malayalam : Mavu
Kannada : Mavu
Mango is undoubtedly the most loved and praised fruit, indigenous to India. Whether in popularity, nutritive value, production value or versatility in use, it holds a leading edge
over all other fruits. In fact, the mango has so much been identified with India that it has been repeated in the paisley design prominently featuring in fabrics, jewellery and
embroidery denoting Indian culture.
It has been mentioned several times in ancient epics such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Meghadoota by Kalidasa and in works of other authors such as Panini and Amara Sinha.
It holds great sentimental value by being an integral part of all auspicious occasions, the flowers being used in Saraswati Pooja and the leaves serving as decorative festoons at
thresholds, probably owing to their anti-bacterial activity.
Nutritive value�It is an outstanding source of vitamin A and a good source of vitamin c, apart from the usual content of minerals mainly iron, calcium, phosphorous�5,000 IU, consist
of 20% of total soluble solids (sugars)
How it looks�It is a large, spreading evergreen tree with small reddish or yellowish- green flowers, and large fleshy fruits containing a hard fibrous seed.
What we use�Roots bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, seed kernel.
What it does�Roots & bark�astringent, styptic, anti-inflammatory
Leaves�astringent, refrigerant, styptic
Flowers�astringent, refrigerant, styptic, haematinic
Fruits�digestive, carminative, refrigerant, antifungal
Seed Kernel�anthelmintic, constipating, styptic and uterine tonic
How we use it�
In
vomiting�Cold infusion of the tender leaves of mango and jamun with a tsp of honey serves to suppress vomiting and nausea.
In
bleeding from the nose�About 3-4 drops of the juice of the seed kernel, instilled m the nostrils arrests the bleeding immediately.
In
splenomegaly�(enlargement of spleen) Make a habit of drinking the juice of a ripe mango with a tablespoon of honey everyday.
In
blood in motions�A few pieces of the bark of the mango tree are boiled in milk and given along with some honey twice a day until blood stops appearing in motions.
In
dandruff�Make an application of the bark of the mango tree pasted in milk or just plain water, on the head for a few week to rid yourself of dandruff.
In
diarrhoea�During its season, collect mango seeds, dry them in the shade, powder and sieve, and store the powder for such emergencies as diarrhoea. Make small balls of this powder
with jaggery in case of diarrhoea and take one ball thrice a day. The seed powder alone is useful in piles.
In
boils�An application of the mango bark paste on boils just coming up, quickly suppresses them. Internally, an infusion made from the raw mango pulp squeezed into water acts as an
astringent. Raw mango is also rich in ascorbic acid or vitamin C, which quickens healing.
In
insect stings�-To prevent inflammation apply the juice of the mango leaf on the stung area, or even the milk oozing from a plucked stalk of the leaf.
Mango in any form arrests bleeding. The bark, roots, leaves, fruit, flower and leaves - all act as styptic agents.
In
diabetes�Though diabetics cannot enjoy mango fruits; they may find its very tender leaves to be an answer to their plight. The leaves are dried, powdered and stored. Half a tsp of
this powder should be taken twice a day. Even the infusion of the fresh leaves is useful in diabetes.
Panna - A Summer Coolant
Boil an unripe mango in 250ml water and filter the water. Add some powdered cumin, rock salt and palm candy to make a sweet cooling beverage for those hot days.
In
sunstroke�A drink made from boiled, unripe mango with salt and sugar is a wonderful remedy for sunstroke.
