Characteristics of mango leaves

Mango leaves are the foliage of an evergreen tree belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. The leaves grow on large trees that can reach 15 to 30 meters in height and thrive in tropical to subtropical regions worldwide. Leaves droop like ribbons on slender petioles, borne mainly in rosettes at the tips of the branches and numerous twigs. New leaves appear periodically and irregularly on a few branches at a time.

First, they are yellowish, pink, deep-rose or wine-red and in time, they become dark-green and glossy. Full-grown leaves may be 10-32 cm long. Hundreds, perhaps even up to 4,000, small, yellowish or reddish flowers are borne in profuse, showy, erect, pyramidal, branched clusters. 25% to 98% male, the rest hermaphroditic.

Being rich in antioxidants, these leaves are loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. It also has anti-microbial properties. As per studies, these leaves prevent degenerating cells and cell damage.

Mango leaves are rich in vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B. It contains other compounds like steroids, alkaloids, riboflavin, Thiamin, phenolic, beta-carotene, flavonoids, etc.

According to Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, mango leaves are used for thousands of years now for their healing properties. Traditionally, mango leaves have been used for natural healing applications such as treating diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal tract disorders, scurvy, typhoid fever, sore throat, and as a febrifuge.

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

Mango leaves extract

The leaves of Mangifera indica have been used in healing practices like Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Extracts of the mango leaves have been utilized for traditional medicines to cure diabetes, bronchitis, diarrhea, asthma, kidney, scabies, respiratory problems, syphilis, and urinary disorders.

Mango leaves are a rich source of phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant power, particularly mangiferin, a special xanthone, because of their potent antioxidant capacity, and followed by phenolic acids, benzophenones, and other antioxidants such as flavonoids, carotenoids, quercetin, isoquercetin, ascorbic acid, and tocopherols.

Mangiferin, which is also found in the bark, fruit, and roots of mango trees and other plants, has been characterized as a highly potent antioxidant with potential health benefits. Mangiferin has been shown to enhance brain activity and mental alertness.

The phenolics in mango have shown various bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Some research suggests that they improve gut bacteria and help treat or prevent conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Mango leaves oil contains monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, minor quantities of other analogues, and trace amounts of non-terpenoid hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The essential oil from mango leaves also possesses bacteriostatic properties and contains several antimicrobial constituents such as α-gurjunene, trans-caryophyllene, α-humulene, α-selinene, and camphor.

Terpenoids in mango leaves oil are important for optimal vision and immune health. They’re also antioxidants, which protect human cells from harmful molecules called free radicals.

Mango leaves extract can be used as natural preservatives in food applications and as anti-aging compound in cosmetic products.

Also, mango leaves extract present potential use in pharmaceutical applications as chemo-preventive agent of diseases relates with oxidative stress giving their numerous antioxidant and health-promoting properties scientifically demonstrated.
Mango leaves extract

Mango leaves

The leaves of M. indica have been analyzed chemically and reported to contain glucoside and mangiferin which is potent antimicrobial agent.

Chemically, mangiferin is composed of a glucose unit C1→2 chemically bonded to a 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone aglycone, and lately it has been recognized as a potential pharmacophore.

Mangiferin has been demonstrated to possess antiviral activity against herpes simplex type 2 viruses, hypoglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and antiatherogenic activities.

In the leaf oil, 36 compounds were identified. The main components were d-3-carene (20.5%), a-gurjunene (19.2%), b-selinene (13.9%) and b-caryophyllene (13.7%).

Mango leaves extract can be used as natural preservatives in food applications and as anti-aging compound in cosmetic products. Also, mango leaves extracts present potential use in pharmaceutical applications as chemo-preventive agent of diseases relates with oxidative stress giving their numerous antioxidant and health-promoting properties scientifically demonstrated.

Mango leaves

Usage of mango leaves

Various part of mango tree including leaves are indispensable for various religions ceremonies and used as offerings to various deities.

*As a Japanese dish in which tender young mango leaves are steamed and eaten with rice.

*While in India, families festoon their doorstep with mango leaves after the birth of a child to announce their happy news. Mango leaves are often prominently displayed at weddings in India.

*Cold infusion of tender mango leaves and jamun with a tea spoon of honey can be used to suppress vomiting and nausea.

*In order to prevent inflammation due to insect stings, juice of mango leaves can be applied in the stung area or even the milk oozing from a plucked of the leaf.

*Having tea of mango leaves is also useful in curing liver troubles.

*In Uganda, mango leaf are made decoction drink for treating diarrhea. In Benin they add with lemon juice. 

*Dentifrice prepared from mango leaves keeps teeth healthy.

*The leaves has astringent properties and are used in Nigeria as a lotion to relieve toothache, sore gums, and sore throat also as an infusion in diarrhea and dysentery.

Researchers have found that the leaf extract contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory attributes.
Usage of mango leaves