Everyone loves the taste and associated health benefits of a fresh mango but not as commonly talked about are the exceptional healing qualities of mango leaves. Fresh leaves are purplish in colour turning a dark green color as they mature with a paler underside. Because mango leaves are available all the year round they are a perfect helping hand in the home natural medicine chest.
One may make tea with either the softer fresh leaves which produce a beautiful purple coloured infusion or the mature green leaves which produce a vivid yellow infusion.
Simply put a bunch of leaves in a sealed container of warm water and leave overnight. The infusion can be used the following morning. Honey may be added to suit your taste.
Mango leaf tea is effective in the treatment of diabetes, lowering blood pressure, treating restfulness caused by anxiety, it helps break down and flush out kidney stones and it helps with various respiratory ailments such as colds, bronchitis and asthma.
Mango leaf tea is also very helpful in curing dysentery with accompanied bleeding and acts a as general tonic for various stomach problems. Warm mango leaf tea also helps earache if a few warm drops are put in the ear.
Mango leaves can also be burned to ash and the ash used to treat burns - bringing immediate relief (rather like lavender essential oil) The leaves can also be burned and the smoke inhaled for treating sore throats and hiccups.
Just for the ladies out there - The pit of the mango fruit can be dried and used medicinally too - if powdered and a small amount of this powder is applied inside the vagina it creates a tightening action which increases sensation during sexual intercourse.