Unique Mango Cures

An Indian legend tells the story of a mango tree that grew from the ashes of the sun princess, who had been incinerated by an evil sorceress. The Emperor fell in love with the mango ripened and fell to the ground, the beautiful sun princess emerged. Thus, the mango became a symbol of love in India, and a basket of mangoes is considered a gesture of friendship.

Native to Southeast Asia and India, the mango is purportedly the most widely consumed fresh fruit in the world, with worldwide production exceeding 17 million metric tons a year; Mexico is the largest exporter of mangoes in the world. The mango is a member of the Anachardiaceae family which includes poison ivy, cashews and pistachios. Cultivated for over 6000 years, the mango comes in over 50 varieties, ranging in colour from green, yellow, to reddish, often tinged with purple, pink, orange-yellow, or red. It is also known as manga, mangga, mangot, mangou, and mague in different parts of the world.

Besides being eaten in their sweet raw form, mangoes are used extensively in the Subcontinent for a variety purposes. For example, mangoes are dried, ground into a powder called amchur, which is used in the preparation of a number o foods as well as chutneys. And there are the ever popular achars made from mangoes.

But beyond the mango’s culinary uses and symbolism of friendship, the fruit has a number of medicinal uses.

1. In the subcontinent mangoes are used as blood builders when taken with milk. Because of their high iron content they are recommended in the treatment of anemia and are beneficial to women during pregnancy and menstruation.

2. People who suffer from muscle cramps, stress and heart problems can benefit from the high potassium and magnesium content of mangoes.

3. Unani physicians have found mangoes very effective in treating ailments affecting the kidneys as well as tuberculosis.

4. Raw mangoes have been known to help in breaking down kidney and bladder stones.

5. Safoof-Khasta Anba is used to provide extra heat and relieve allergies.

6. Anba (Maghz Biryan), which comprises a power (safoof), is an aphrodisiac tonic.

By Dr Aftab Saeed

The writer is part of the Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University.