We all have eaten the king of fruits, mango- a sweet, tropical delight that comes from magnificent mango trees. Since antiquity, the tree has been known to mankind and revered for its sweet, pulpy delicious summer fruit. While mango is indeed super delicious, ever tried the lush green mango leaf?
Interestingly, they are edible too! Botanically known as Mangifera Indica, from the Anacardiaceous family, mango leaves are the foliage of the mango tree. The leaves have been integral to Indian Ayurvedic medicine and were also used in traditional Chinese medicine in the old days. The article delves into the benefits of these luscious green leaves with an easy-to-make tea recipe.
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Native to Asia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, mango trees have been growing wild since ancient times and are considered sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism, appearing in ancient religious texts, and historical documents. Historically, mangoes gained attention when ancient Indian kings planted the trees in gardens and along roadsides as they felt the trees symbolized prosperity. Mango seeds were carried with travelers from Asia to many parts of the world and over time, mangoes were extensively cultivated to create new varieties with improved flavour and texture. Wherever mango trees are grown, the leaves are readily available, they can be harvested easily from wild or cultivated trees. Mango leaves primarily used in Asia are oblong shaped and pointed at both ends with a smooth and glossy appearance and display a light green veining. Young mango leaves are tender, and succulent with purple-red and green hues while mature ones become dark green, developing a tough and somewhat chewy consistency. They can be consumed raw or cooked and added to various dishes.
What Makes Mango Leaf Special?
While fruits are the most consumed element of the mango tree, mango leaves are a secondary crop that has been used medicinally and in culinary preparations for thousands of years in Southeast Asia. The leaves grow on large mango trees which thrive in tropical to subtropical regions across the globe. Mango leaves are harvested when tender and adored for their high nutritional properties besides traditional and culinary uses. The leaves are incorporated into a vegetable, utilized raw, or cooked along many savoury preparations. The leaves can also be dried and used as a nutritional tea and health supplement.
Nutritional Benefits of Mango Leaves
Mango leaves boast a rich nutritional profile, offering essential vitamins and minerals crucial for overall health. They are a natural source of:
- Vitamin C that can bolster the immune system
- Vitamin E that actively helps to fight against oxidative stress
- Vitamin A that supports healthy organ function
- Calcium and phosphorus that promote bone and dental health
- Potassium that helps to maintain fluid balance in the body
- Additional nutrients include iron, magnesium, B vitamins, and nitrogen
- Antioxidants like terpenoids and polyphenols that possess potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Culinary Uses Of Mango Leaves
Mango leaves have a mild, vegetal flavour suited for raw and cooked preparations. Young Mango leaves are preferred for culinary use due to their tender texture and are used in spreads, dips, and salads, stirred into rice dishes, and used for making chutneys. Soft mango leaves can also be incorporated into soups, curries, and stir-fried food preparations, or steamed and served as a side dish. In Burma, the leaves are a staple in many curries. In South India, they are used in various authentic South Indian recipes. Apart from culinary uses, fresh Mango leaves can also be soaked in water overnight and squeezed to release their juices in the morning and can be consumed in the morning as a nutritional drink. Dry mango leaves can be ground into a powder and consumed as an herbal health supplement. What’s more? Mango leaves pair well when cooked along with shallots, ginger, garlic, chili peppers, curry leaves, coconut, spices including turmeric, mustard seeds, asafoetida powder, and all legumes. One exclusive way to use mango leaves is to steep it into medicinal tea.
Traditional Use Of Mango Leaves
One of the most well-known traditional uses of Mango leaves in India is to use them as a decorative door hanging which is known as a Torana (gateway in Sanskrit) in Indian culture. In many houses in southern parts of India, dark green mango leaves are strung along doorways mainly at the entrance of houses. Associated with deities and gods in the Hindu religion, it is believed that the leaves are an embodiment of God, and keeping them at the entrance will bring good luck and prosperity to the house. People also string them up in religious ceremonies and during weddings as a blessing of prosperity and fertility. The leaves are also placed on altars as a symbol of the deities. Scientifically, mango leaves become sturdy when mature, which allows them to last for several days. Therefore, the dark green color allows the leaves to purify the air and they continue to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Symbolically it is viewed as cleansing energies, and as people walk through doorways lined with these leaves, their energies are cleansed, protecting the household against evil.
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Health Benefits Of Mango Leaf Extracts
Mango leaves are packed with several antioxidants and plant compounds, and they offer the following health benefits:
Combats Inflammation In The Body
Mango leaves are rich in terpenoids and polyphenols. These compounds help to protect against disease and fight inflammation in the body. Terpenoids are important for optimal vision, and they also bolster immune health. Loaded with antioxidants, they protect our body cells from harmful free radicals. anti-inflammatory properties can also protect the human brain from conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Fights Onset Of Chronic Ailments
Several potential benefits of mango leaves result from Mangiferin, a polyphenol found in many plants but in especially high amounts in mango plants and mango leaves. The component has anti-inflammatory properties and is an anti-microbial agent. This makes it helpful in the treatment of tumors, diabetes, heart disease, and fat digestion abnormalities.
Protect Against Abnormal Fat Gain
Mango leaf extract can inhibit fat accumulation in tissue cells. By interfering with fat metabolism, the extracts can help manage symptoms of metabolic syndrome and protect against fat gain, diabetes obesity, and heart ailments.
Treats Stomach Ulcers
Owing to its polyphenols content, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, mango leaf as well as other parts of mango tree have historically been used to aid stomach ulcers and other digestive anomalies. The extracts also help to keep the digestive system in good health by fuelling the growth of healthy gut bacteria.
Supports Skin Health
Mango leaf extract has also been used to reduce signs of skin ageing. The presence of Vitamin C and antioxidant content can increase collagen production. Mangiferin in the leaves also helps to fight psoriasis, a skin condition that causes itchy, dry patches. Ash from burnt mango leaves is topically applied to the skin to heal skin wounds.
Augments Hair GrowthMango leaves are said to promote hair growth; hence mango leaf extract is widely used in several hair products. Mango leaves are rich in antioxidants, that can safeguard hair follicles from getting damaged. The leaves also contain potassium, magnesium as well as flavonoids. All these are hair-befitting components that prevent premature greying of hair and boost hair growth.
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Various Uses Of Mango Leaves
The benefits of these leaves do not end here. Widely available as a powder, extract, and supplement, mango leaf powder can be diluted in water and consumed. Mango leaves are also popularly used throughout Asia in many kinds of tea. The leaves can be steeped fresh or dried, made into a tea, and consumed as a beverage. The powder can be used as a skin ointment. Fresh leaves can be used in baths as they can help to alleviate anxiety and stress. Whole mango leaves, loose-leaf tea bag tea, and mango leaf supplements are also available. In some places, cooked mango leaves are also eaten. Tender leaves can be eaten fresh as well.
Precautions Before Consuming Mango Leaf Extracts
Whether you eat them as a food infused into tea or consumed as a powder, it is best to talk to a health professional specifically before taking supplements. Mango leaf products are generally considered safe for human consumption, but your healthcare provider can tell you about dosage, harmful effects if any, and possible interactions with other medications before taking any form of mango leaf.
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Overall, mango leaves offer a blend of nutritional benefits, traditional remedies, and cultural symbolism deeply rooted in various ethnic practices. And so, let us bring you the most famous way of consuming these green tender leaves or extracts which is by making an aromatic, therapeutic, and refreshing tea.
Mango Leaf Cinnamon Tea
Ingredients:
- 8 to 10 fresh mango leaves
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 inch piece of ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 crushed cloves
- Juice of half a lemon
Method
- Wash the mango leaves under running water to remove dirt
- In a pan, bring the water to a boil over medium heat
- Add the washed mango leaves to the boiling water and let it simmer for about five minutes
- While the mango leaves are simmering, add the sliced ginger, cinnamon stick, and cloves to infuse additional flavour into the tea
- After simmering, remove the pan from heat and let the tea cool for a few minutes
- Strain the tea to remove the mango leaves, ginger, cinnamon and cloves
- Stir in honey for sweetness
- Squeeze in the juice of half a lemon for a refreshing twist and added flavour
- Enjoy refreshing hot mango leaf tea
Nutrition
Mango leaf tea offers a unique combination of flavours, incorporating the natural sweetness of mango leaves with the warmth of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, and a hint of citrusy freshness from the lemon juice. Mango leaf’s Vitamin C bolsters immunity and fights harmful radicals. Antioxidants like terpenoids and polyphenols in mango leaves possess anti-inflammatory properties that help fight swelling. Ginger has antioxidant properties that help to improve digestive health and reduce inflammation in the body.
References:
- Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Bioactivities
Manoj Kumar,1 , Vivek Saurabh,2 Maharishi Tomar, 3 Muzaffar Hasan,4 Sushil Changan,5 Minnu Sasi,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7920260/
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669017307434
3.https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2022/vol11issue3S/PartG/S-11-2-272-970.pdf
