What are the Health Benefits of Mango Leaves? (Medicinal importance of mango leaves)

5 minutes read. 

    

You may be familiar with mango fruits and all its health benefits with the creamy sweet palatable taste it gives that makes everyone crave it

But are you aware that mango leaves are edible also and offer more health benefits benefit than fruits?

When it comes to the Prevention and cure of some diseases, mango leaves become a better option than fruits.

The extracts from mango leaves (MLs) have been studied for their biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, lipid-lowering, hepato-protection, and anti-diarrheal. (3)

I prepared this article to help you understand the hidden health benefits of mango leaves. Feel free to skip ahead.

What are mangoes?

The English word mango (plural “mangoes” or “mangos”) originated from the Portuguese word, manga, from the Malay mangga, probably ultimately from the Tamil man (“mango tree”) + kay (“fruit”). (1)

A Mango, scientifically known as Mangifera indica L., is a juicy stone fruit belonging to the family of Anacardiaceaein the order of Sapindales and is grown in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical countries such as South and Southeast Asia. India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, Brazil, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the Philippines are among the top mango producer countries.

In traditional medicine, the different parts of the mango tree (fruit pulp, extracts of fruit kernel, leaves, and stem bark) are used for their health

properties. (2)

Decoction of mango kernel was reported to be used in the treatment of diarrhea, hemorrhages, and bleeding hemorrhoids for its

vermifuge and astringent properties, extracts of unripe fruit, bark, and leaves are used for their antibiotic activity, while an aqueous stem bark

extract from Mangifera indica is used in Cuba as a remedy for diarrhea, fever, gastritis, and ulcer.

Leaves of the mango plant have been studied for their health benefits, which are attributed to a plethora of phytochemicals such as mangiferin, followed by phenolic acids, benzophenones, and other antioxidants such as flavonoids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and tocopherols. (2)

Mango leaves (MLs) are the potential source of minerals, viz. nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins, viz. A, B, E, and C.

A major bio-macromolecule present in mango leaves is protein.

Nutrition Facts of mango Leaves; (2, 3)

Nutritional ComponentComposition
Total  protein18.5 percent
Fat4.31 percent
Carbohydrate 30.60 percent
Vitamins 
Vitamin A121 mg
Vitamin B189 mg
Vitamin C30 mg
Vitamin E10 mg
Minerals 
Sodium (Na)   28 mg
Potassium (K)589 mg
Calcium (Ca)368 mg
Magnesium (Mg)98 mg
Iron (Fe)343 mg
Zinc (Zn)14 mg
Phosphorus (P)480 mg
Nitrogen (N)2 gm
Manganese (Mn)3 gm

Phytochemicals in mango leaves

What is phytochemical?

Phytochemicals are chemical compounds produced by plants, generally to help them resist fungi, bacteria, and plant virus infections, and also consumption by insects and other animals. The name comes from the Greek φυτόν ‘plant’ (4)

In simple terms, Phytochemicals are curative or healing chemicals (agents) found in plants.

According to one scientific research in 2020, Tannins and phenol were found in large amount in mango leaf extract, flavonoid, and saponins were also found in moderate quantity while alkaloid was found in a little amount. (3)

What’s the medicinal importance of mango leaves?

Mango leaves contain a lot of beneficial chemical compounds to remedy various diseases, most importantly as diabetes medication, blood tonic, hepatitis, and wound healing.

Flavonoids as an antioxidant, steroids as a hormone supply, gallic acid as antifungal and antiviral properties, and tannins as diarrhea remedies are some of the compounds that can be benefited from mango. (2)

Health Benefits of mango

Here are some of the scientifically proven health conditions you may use mango leaves to remedy:

  1. Diabetes medication

Mango leaves have been reported to be very useful for managing diabetes. The tender leaves of the mango tree contain tannins called anthocyanidins that may help in treating early diabetes.

The leaves can be dried and powdered or used as an infusion to treat the same. It also helps to treat diabetic angiopathy and diabetic retinopathy.

The leaves should be soaked in a cup of water overnight, strained, and to be administered as a drink to help relieve the symptoms of diabetes. It also helps in treating hyperglycemia.(5, 6, 7,8,9)

2. Improves digestion (constipation)

Rich in prebiotic fiber which helps in the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, this helps to reduce or lower acidity problems, prevent constipation and prevent a number of diseases associated with a gastrointestinal tract like inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and antibiotics-related disorders. (10, 11,2)

 I hope you’re getting value. Let’s move down a bit to understand more.

3. Boost memory and amnesia

 Mango is rich in glutamine which helps to boost memory, and also rich in vitamin B6 which is essential for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)production, an essential neurotransmitter.

In 2020, a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study in which 70 healthy young adults (18 to 45 years) received 300 mg mango leaf extract and a matched placebo, on separate occasions, separated by at least 7 days. (12)

The results of the study showed that a single dose of 300 mg mango leaf extract significantly improved performance accuracy across the tasks in the battery, with domain-specific effects seen in terms of enhanced performance on an Accuracy of Attention fac tor and an Episodic Memory factor. Performance was also improved across all three tasks. (13 ,14)

3. Cures respiratory complicated diseases

Mango leaves are good for all kinds of respiratory problems. It is especially useful for people suffering from colds, bronchitis, and asthma.

Drinking a decoction made by boiling mango leaves in water with a little honey helps to cure cough effectively. It also helps in curing voice loss. (15,16)

4. Lowers blood pressure

Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the diseases that come secretly. It is difficult to know someone has hypertension without measuring his blood pressure. One way to lower high blood pressure is to consume mango-leaf tea.

 Some of the compounds in mango leaves are proven to lower high blood pressure through angiotensin inhibitor in the kidney, where blood pressure upshot start before reaching the heart. However, drinking the boiled water of mango leaves will gradually lower blood pressure. (17, 18)

5. Healing Wounds/burns

Burns are skin conditions that are injured by contact with hot objects, such as hot water, hot oil, exhaust, ironing, and more. In general, the burned skin will bubble, blister, and be watery.

Many ways can be done to overcome or eliminate the burns; there is a simple way to overcome burns as first aid which is using mango leaves. Take the dried mango leaves and burn them into ash, just sprinkle the ash over the wound. (19, 20)

6. Treating kidney disease

The kidney works for disposing of metabolism waste such as calcium oxalate and calcium citrullinated that occurs in the human body (Kidney stone).

The kidney will systematically throw the excess fluid out of the body as much as 750 ml 1500 ml per day.

If the kidney doesn’t work properly, or in the medical world is well known as kidney failure, the rest of the body’s metabolism will not be released, it will be toxic instead.

One of the health benefits of mango leaves is treating kidney disease, this is done by consuming water from mango leaves, it will prevent the occurrence of infection in the kidney and also destroy kidney stones that inhibit urination (peeing).(21,22,23)

7. Healing gut (intestine)

Gut disease is a condition that can cause unbearable pain such as bowel irritation, swelling, and a hot feeling in the joints.

Although all joints in the body can be attacked by the gut, the most frequent are fingers, knees, ankles, and toes. Mango leaves are capable of healing the gut. (24, 25,2)

8. Keeps cholesterol in check

Mango has a high level of vitamin C, pectin, and fibers that help to lower serum cholesterol levels.

Fresh mango is a rich source of potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps to control heart rate and blood pressure. (26, 27,28)

9. Fights cancerous cells

Antioxidants like quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid, and methyl gallate present in mango protect the body against colon and breast cancer. (29,30, 31, 32)

10. Aphrodisiac properties (improve sex hormone)

Mango has aphrodisiac properties and is also called the ‘love fruit’. Mangoes increase the virility in men. Vitamin E, which is abundantly present in mangoes, helps to regulate sex hormones and boosts sex drive.(33, 34,35)

11. Anti-bacterial (anti-typhoid)

In 2013, one research investigated the anti-typhoid properties of mango leaf extract against antibiotic sensitivity. The result of the demonstrated strong inhibition on salmonella typhi which is a bacterial that causes typhoid. (36, 37)

The study thus suggested that the demonstration of the antibacterial activity of mango leaf extract against salmonella this an indication that there is the possibility of sourcing alternative antibiotic substances in mango leaves for the development of newer antibacterial agents.

However, more studies are needed on this case study to conclude says the scientist.

Side Effects

Mango leaves, powder, and tea are considered safe for human consumption. Few studies on animals suggest no side effects.

 In 2014, a study investigated the long-term toxicity of mango leaf extract in mice and rats for three months. The result demonstrated no obvious abnormalities in both animal. (38)

Conclusion

Mango leaves contain a lot of beneficial phytochemical (healing) compounds to remedy various diseases, most importantly as diabetes medication, blood tonic, hepatitis, and wound healing.

Flavonoids as an antioxidant, steroids as a hormone supply, gallic acid as antifungal and antiviral properties, and tannin as a diarrhea remedy are some of the compounds that can be benefited from mango.

Mango leaves (MLs) are the potential source of minerals, viz. nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins, viz. A, B, E, and C.

A major bio-macromolecule present in mango leaves is protein.

You can use mango leave extract to remedy so many health issues such as diabetes, cancer, constipation, improve memory and amnesia, asthma, high blood pressure, wound healing/burns, kidney disease, improve intestinal health, cholesterol control, improve sex hormone, and cure typhoid.

All these medicinal properties of mango leaves have been scientifically proven by many researchers both in humans ad in animals. And so far, no side effect has been recorded from the consumption of mango leaves both in humans and in animals.

I hope you get the value worth your time. I appreciate the time you spend with me. Leave a comment if you like this post. So tell me have you ever used mango leaves as medicine to remedy any health issue? Do you have any questions as regards this topic I didn’t touch here? Feel free to share with me in the comment below.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The content provided in living Good Blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It’s not intended to provide medical advice or take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal doctor. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Living Good Blog takes no responsibility for possible health consequences of any person(s) reading or following the information in this educational content. Viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medication, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Spread the message