10 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Mango Leaves That You May Have Not Known

While most of you might love eating mangoes, are you aware of the mango leaves benefits as well? More often than not, it’s just the mango fruit we are obsessed with, given its delicious taste and multiple preparations. However, mango leaves are also rich in medicinal and healing properties. Mango leaves have been used in traditional medicine for many years to treat different health issues. Adding them to your daily health routine can be valuable to your wellness practices.

Next time you get your hands on freshly plucked mangoes, try to get the leaves as well. This article would further let you know how to utilize mango tree leaves to reap its key benefits. Reason to know more!

Know Your Ingredient: Mango Leaf

What Is It?
A long, green leaf taken from the mango tree that has a mild, vegetal taste.

What Are Its Benefits?
It helps with healing burns, lowers blood sugar levels, and treats dysentery.

Who Can Consume It?
Anybody can consume it, especially people with asthma and diabetes.

How Often?
You can drink 1 to 2 cups of mango leaf tea daily.

Caution
None

Medicinal Benefits Of Mango Leaves

The mango leaves are reddish or purplish when tender and new, and grow into a dark green color and have a pale underside.

These leaves are rich in vitamin C, B and A. They are also rich in nutrition. They exhibit powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to their high content of flavonoids and polyphenols (1).

Riya Prasannan, a blogger shared that she uses mango leaves for her oral hygiene. She states in her blog post, “When I was small, our day started by brushing our teeth behind our house. We all stood in a line facing beautiful green paddy fields and brushed our teeth with Umikari (activated charcoal usually made from rice husk), followed by a quick rub with mango leaves (i).” She further adds that none of her village kids who followed this practice had toothaches or cavities below ten years of age.

1. Treating Diabetes

The mango leaves are very useful for treating diabetes. Animal studies suggest that the tender mango tree leaves contain phytochemicals, which may help in treating diabetes (2). The leaves are dried and powdered, or used as an infusion to treat the same. It may also help in treating diabetic angiopathyⁱ  A blood vessel disease that involves damage to cells in the blood vessels caused by high blood sugar/glucose levels. and diabetic retinopathyⁱ  A serious eye disorder that involves vision loss and blindness in people with high blood sugar/glucose levels. (3). Mango tea leaves are very good for this purpose. Soak the leaves in a cup of water overnight. Strain and drink this water to help relieve the symptoms of diabetes. It also helps treat hyperglycemia. The leaves contain a compound called 3 beta-taraxerol, and ethyl acetate extract which synergize with insulin to activate GLUT4 and stimulate the synthesis of glycogen.

Did You Know?

Young mango leaves are purple, yellow, or red in color. The leaves turn dark green only when they mature.

2. Lower Blood Pressure

Mango leaves may help lower the blood pressure as they have anti-hypertensive properties (4). They help in strengthening the blood vessels and treating the problem of varicose veinsⁱ  A condition that occurs when veins become enlarged and overfilled with blood, commonly affecting the leg veins. .

3. Treats Restlessness

Mangiferin, a phytochemical present in mango leaves, possesses anti-anxiety properties that may calm down restlessness experienced by people due to anxiety (5). Adding two to three glasses of mango leaf tea to the bath water helps treat uneasiness and refreshes the body.

4. Gall And Kidney Stones

The mango leaves may help treat kidney stones and gallstones (6). The daily intake of a finely ground powder of mango leaves, which are dried in the shade, with water kept in a tumbler overnight, helps in breaking the stones and flushing them out.

5. Respiratory Problems

The mango leaves are good for all kinds of respiratory problems. It is especially useful for people suffering from colds, bronchitis and asthma (7). 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.

6. Cures Dysentery

Mango leaves may be very helpful in treating bleeding dysentery (7). The leaves dried in a shade should be powdered and then be taken with water two to three times a day to stop dysentery.

7. Ear Aches

Ear ache can be quite irritating. Using this home remedy provides good relief. A teaspoon of juice extracted from mango leaves as eardrops provides relief from earache. Heat the juice slightly before using it.

8. Heal Burns

To heal burns on the skin and scalds, burn a handful of mango leaves to ashes (7). Apply this ash on the affected area. It provides relief.

9. Treats Hiccups And Throat Problems

If you are suffering from hiccups or throat problems, mango leaf is a good home remedy (8). Burn a few mango leaves and inhale the smoke. This helps to cure hiccups and throat problems.

10. Stomach Tonic

Put some mango leaves in warm water, close the container with a lid, and leave it overnight. The next morning filter the water and drink it on an empty stomach. The regular intake of this infusion acts as a good stomach tonic and helps prevent various stomach ailments (8).

Anecdotal evidence suggests that it can play a role in effective weight loss, a healthy immune system, and improved skin, hair, and heart health as well.

Quick Tip

You can add ginger root and honey to your mango leaf tea to add some spice and flavor to it.

From these benefits, it is clear that mango leaves contain several vitamins and minerals, but here is a detailed list for you.

Nutritional Profile Of Mango Leaves

Just like the fruit, mango leaves are also rich in various nutrients. They are commonly used for livestock feeding; however, their rich nutrient profile makes them suitable for medicinal purposes. Mango leaves are rich in proteins, and important minerals such as nitrogen, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, sodium, copper, iron, manganese, and vitamins A, B, and C (ascorbic acid) (1).

Apart from these, mango leaves also contain various plant compounds, especially phenolic compounds such as tannins, terpenoids, and flavonoids. These phenolic compounds can help protect the body from chronic diseases (1).

These nutrients are why mango leaves offer so many health benefits. So how do you include this in your diet? Can you cook with mango leaves? Read on to find out more about it.

Culinary Uses Of Mango Leaves

Mango leaves are not just for decoration. They have various culinary uses that can enhance your dishes. Here are some ways you can incorporate them into your cooking:

• Infusions: You can use mango leaves to make a herbal infusion. Simply boil the leaves in water to create a flavorful tea that can be enjoyed hot or cold.
• Flavoring: Fresh mango leaves can be added to curries, soups, and stews to give them a unique flavor. Just toss in a few leaves while cooking, and remove them before serving.
• Garnish: Use mango leaves as a garnish for salads or other dishes. They add a fresh look and a hint of flavor.
• Wraps: In some cultures, mango leaves are used to wrap food before cooking, imparting a subtle sweetness and aroma.
• Pickling: Mango leaves can be used to enhance the flavor of vegetables and fruits.

Always wash the leaves thoroughly before use, and enjoy experimenting with this versatile ingredient in your cooking!

While mango leaves provide various benefits to one’s health, they also may cause some adverse effects. Find out more about them in the next section.

Side Effects Of Mango Leaves

Anecdotal evidence suggests that mango leaves may cause allergic reactions like wheezing, swelling, itching, and redness. Furthermore, one long-term study on rats exposed to mango leaves at various doses showed slight increases in body weight, fat weight, and cholesterol levels (1). However, more research in humans is warranted in this regard. But if you experience any of the above symptoms, stop consuming the leaves and seek immediate medical help. Talking to a doctor before adding mango leaves to your diet is important, especially if you have existing health issues or are taking medication.

Infographic: 5 Important Health Benefits Of Mango Leaves

While we commonly consume mangoes, their leaves are rich in medicinal properties that can provide various health benefits to you. We have rounded up the 5 important health benefits of mango leaves you should know about. Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mango leaves poisonous?

No, mango leaves are not poisonous and are generally considered safe for consumption.

Can we eat raw mango leaves?

Yes, you can consume fresh raw mango leaves if they are available in your neighborhood.

Are there any anti-inflammatory benefits to using mango leaves?

Mango leaf extract is rich in bioactive polyphenols and is said to possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the body. One animal study showed that it reduces inflammation of the liver tissue, preventing the progression of liver damage (9).

How to prepare mango leaves as medicine?

The leaves should either be powdered after being dried or used as an infusion. Or, you can soak the leaves in a cup of water overnight and drink the liquid in the morning.

Does mango leaf tea lower cholesterol?

One animal study found that mango leaf extract exhibited cholesterol-lowering activity in albino Wistar rats (10). Hence, mango-leaf tea may help lower cholesterol levels.

Is mango leaf an antibiotic?

The ethanol extracts of mango leaves exhibit potent antibacterial properties that can act against the Staphylococcus aureus strain (11).

Are mango leaves good for uric acid?

From one study, it was seen that mango leaves and their extract have the potential to develop anti-gouty arthritis agents to help improve this medical condition (12).

Illustration: Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Mango Leaves That You May Have Not Known

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn about the amazing health benefits of mango leaves that may help manage diabetes, hair growth, and weight loss! Discover how these leaves can improve your health by watching the video below. Check it out now!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Gabrielle KaneMS, RDN, CSP, LD

   

Gabby is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with 11 years of experience. She is also the founder of Peak Performance Nutrition LLC in Houston, Texas. She coaches both adults and children to their peak health using the power of sustainable lifestyle change.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Moksha GandhiHealth & Wellness Writer

Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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