Mango leaves are also a useful food and remedy. Many people are familiar with the sweet tropical fruit, but did you know that the leaves of the mango tree are also edible and have many uses?
Young green mango leaves are very tender, so they are cooked and eaten in some cultures. Because the leaves are so nutritious, they are also used to make teas and as food supplements. The leaves of Mangifera indica, a special type of mango, have been used medicinally for thousands of years.
Although the stem, bark, leaves, roots, and fruit are also used in traditional medicine, the leaves are especially believed to help treat diabetes and other health conditions.
Mango leaves can help reduce fat
Mango leaf extract may help control obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome by interfering with fat metabolism.
Many animal studies have found that mango leaf extract inhibits fat accumulation in tissue cells. Another study in mice showed that cells treated with mango leaf extract had lower fat levels and higher levels of adiponectin.
Adiponectin is a cell signaling protein that plays a role in fat metabolism and regulating sugar levels in the body. High levels may protect against obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases.
A study in obese rats showed that rats who ate mango leaf tea on a high-fat diet had less belly fat.
In a 12-week study in 97 overweight adults, those given 150mg of mangiferin per day had lower blood fats and significantly better insulin resistance scores than those given placebo. Lower insulin resistance can improve diabetes.
10 other uses of mango leaves
1. Rich in Antioxidant Compounds
Mango leaves contain several beneficial plant compounds, including polyphenols and terpenoids.
Terpenoids are important for optimal vision and immune health. They are also antioxidants, protecting your cells from harmful molecules called free radicals.
Meanwhile, polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies show that they improve gut bacteria and help treat or prevent conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Mangiferin, a polyphenol found in many plants but especially in high concentrations in mangoes and mango leaves, also has many benefits.
It is an anti-microbial and potential treatment for tumors, diabetes, heart disease, and abnormalities of fat digestion.
2. May Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Many of the potential benefits of mango leaves are due to mangiferin’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Although inflammation is part of the body’s normal immune response, chronic inflammation can increase the risk of many diseases.
Animal studies show that the anti-inflammatory properties of mango leaves may even protect your brain from diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
In one study, mango leaf extract given to rats at 5mg per kilogram of body weight helped fight inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in the brain.
3. May Help Fight Diabetes
Mango leaves can help control diabetes due to its effect on fat metabolism. Elevated triglyceride levels are often associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
One study gave rats a mango leaf extract. After 2 weeks, triglycerides and blood sugar levels were significantly lower.
Another study in rats found that mango leaf extract reduced hyperlipidemia, a condition marked by abnormally high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.
In a study comparing mango leaf extract and oral antidiabetic drug glibenclamide in diabetic rats. Rats given this extract had significantly lower blood sugar than the glibenclamide group after 2 weeks.
4. Mango leaves may have anti-cancer properties
Many reviews demonstrate that the mangiferin in mango leaves may have anti-cancer potential, as it is anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Test-tube studies have shown effects against leukemia and cancers of the lung, brain, breast, cervix, and prostate.
Moreover, mango skin has strong anti-cancer ability thanks to the content of lignans, which is also a type of polyphenol. However, these results are preliminary and should not be considered a cancer treatment.
5. Can treat stomach ulcers
The leaves and other parts of the mango tree have been used historically to aid in the healing of stomach ulcers and other digestive conditions.
One study in rodents showed that taking mango leaf extract at 250–1,000 mg/kg body weight reduced the number of stomach lesions.
Another study in mice showed similar results, where mangiferin significantly improved digestive damage.
6. May support healthy skin
Mango leaf extract can reduce the signs of skin aging thanks to its antioxidant content.
In a rat study, mango leaf extract given orally at a dose of 100mg per kilogram of body weight increased collagen production and significantly shortened the length of skin wrinkles.
One test-tube study determined that mango leaf extract may be effective against Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that can cause staph infections.
Mangiferin has also been studied for psoriasis, a skin condition that causes itchy and dry patches. A test-tube study using human skin confirmed that this polyphenol aids in the healing process of psoriasis wounds.
7. May be beneficial for hair
Mango leaves are said to promote hair growth and the leaf extract can be used in a number of hair products. Antioxidants can protect hair follicles from damage.
8. Improve breathing problems
This remedy is quite simple, we just need to boil mango leaves in water with a little honey. It will be useful for people with colds, bronchitis, asthma or cough is also very effective.
9. Cure kidney stones and gallstones
Puree dried mango leaves in the shade, then soak overnight in clean water and then decant the residue to get clear water to drink. This water has the effect of dissolving the stones and eliminating them out of the body.
10. Mango leaves soothe burns
Burn a handful of mango leaves to ashes, then apply the ash on the affected areas. You will feel good immediately.
How to use mango leaves
Mango leaves can be eaten fresh as a vegetable, for example in rice paper rolls, or you can use it in salads, salads…
In addition, one of the other popular uses is to make tea. You should boil 10-15 fresh leaves in 150ml of water, then let it simmer for a few minutes and use warm.
If fresh leaves are not available, you can buy tea bags. The leaves are also available as powders, extracts, and supplements. The powder can be diluted in water and taken orally, used in skin ointments or sprinkled in bath water.
In addition, a mango leaf capsule called Zynamite contains 60% or more mangiferin. The recommended dose is 140-200mg, taken 1-2 times per day. However, due to the lack of safety studies, it is best to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product. There are no known side effects of using mango leaves.
Although studies are preliminary, mango leaves may have many health benefits including skin, digestion, and weight loss. Therefore, do not hesitate to incorporate this leaf in a healthy diet to be healthier and more beautiful, friends!
Reference source
8 Emerging Benefits of Mango Leaves https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefit-of-mango-leaf#Does-mango-leaf-have-any-side-effects Accessed date: 1/9/2020
Hi everyone, I’m Tony Scotti, an expert in the field of height increase with many years of experience researching and applying height increase methods, and have achieved promising results. I have created increase height blog as a personal blog to share knowledge and experience about what I have learned during the process of improving my own height.
