Ayurveda Meals that Heal – Mango Turmeric Ginger Tonic
Eastern View: All parts of a mango have medicinal uses including the bark, leaves, flowers, and seeds Texts of ayurveda mention various herbal preparations using different parts of a mango tree.
The mango bark, flower, leaves, and seed kennel are astringent and cause dryness of bodily tissues. However, ripe mango fruit is sweet to taste and increases sliminess and mucous secretion. Raw green mango is sour in taste and can aggravate all three doshas.
Ripe mango balances vata and pitta. It helps to relieve constipation and normalize digestion and reduce inflammation. Consumption of ripe mango increases hemoglobin in blood and is very useful in treating anaemia. Ayurvedic texts eulogize the uses of ripe mango as an aphrodisiac. It is known to rejuvenate male reproductive system and increase quality and quantity of semen. It also increases sexual energy (as it nourishes rakta dhatu) and stamina. Thus it helps in erectile dysfunction and low libido. Ripe mango strengthens the body, increases body bulk and increases a glowing skin
The bark, flowers, leaves and seed kernels are used to prevent bleeding and to heal chronic wounds. These also help in controlling diarrhea and dysentery. The seeds help to eliminate intestinal parasites and to control dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Seed kennel and mango’s tender leaves are useful in urinary tract infections. The bark and seed kernels are used in herbal preparations to reduce inflammation of the uterus. Mango leaves also reduce vomiting and nausea.
Mango helps increases body weight and are incredibly rich in carbohydrates improving long term energy. Mangoes cause “Brimhanatwa” (increase in weight) and increase “Bala” (strength). This fruit is strongly recommended in weight gain therapy
Mangoes are useful in treating anemia, and they also contain large amounts of iron and copper. The presence of vitamin C in mango helps in complete absorption of iron from the diet. Hence its use is indicated in “Pandu” (anemia) in ayurveda.
Mangoes are rich in dietary fiber, which means they are helpful in relieving constipation, normally a vata problem and importantly mangoes are an aphrodisiac.
This fruit is a good source of a variety of minerals and vitamins which help to increase sexual energy. Hence ayurveda acharyas call this fruit as “Vrishya”. This means the one which helps in erectile dysfunction, to increase the quality and quantity of semen.
Lastly, mangoes are your go-to fruit for a glowing, rosy looking skin. The natural vitamins of Vitamin A, and Vitamin C help to relieve clogged pores and increase fairness and its glow. Hence this fruit is known for its property of maintaining the integrity of the skin’s layers.
Ginger is moist and dry at the same time and is known as a universal medicine benefitting everybody and all diseases.
Especially good for Vata disorders, this is one of Ayurveda’s best go-to spices. When using ginger, think digestion, lungs, and circulation. All Vata problems.
Ginger with its pungent and sweet taste warms the digestive system, increases digestive fire (agni) and helps in the secretion of digestive enzymes. Also useful in nausea, especially travel-sickness, gas bloating and stomach gripping – it has a specific action against E. Coli and Shigella bacteria.
Ginger is great when used in menstrual cramps as it regulates Vata in the lower abdomen. Despite its warm energy, it also is an anti-inflammatory. It has the properties of being able to warm and cool and is really beneficial at nourishing the reproductive system.
Ginger has a unique effect (prabhava). It’s post-digestive quality is sweet which means its long term effect is anti-inflammatory and nourishing while its initial effect is warm and stimulating for the digestion. That’s good news for anyone that has digestive and inflammatory problems.
Western View: Research has shown antioxidant compounds in mango fruit have been found to protect against colon, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers. These compounds include quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat, as well as the abundant enzymes.
The high levels of fiber, pectin and vitamin C help to lower serum cholesterol levels, specifically Low-Density Lipoprotein (that’s the bad stuff).
Mangoes can be used both internally and externally for the skin. Mangos help clear clogged pores and eliminate pimples as well as improve eye health: One cup of sliced mangoes supplies 25 percent of the needed daily value of vitamin A, which promotes good eyesight and prevents night blindness and dry eyes.
Mangos are a great source of vitamin E. Even though the popular connection between sex drive and vitamin E was originally created by a mistaken generalization on rat studies, further research has shown balanced proper amounts (from whole foods) does help.
And, as we head into warmer weather – did you know that juicing the fruit from the green mango and mixing with water and a sweetener helps to cool down the body and prevent harm from overheating. From an ayurvedic viewpoint, the reason people often get diuretic and exhausted when visiting equatorial climates is because the strong “sun energy” is burning up your body, particularly the muscles. The kidneys then become overloaded with the toxins from this process.
Lastly, mangoes help boosts the immune system: The generous amounts of vitamin C and vitamin A in mangos, plus 25 different kinds of carotenoids keep your immune system healthy and strong.
Ginger contains Gingerol, a substance with powerful medicinal properties. It has been used to help digestion, reduce nausea and help fight the flu and common cold, to name a few.
Ginger appears to be highly effective against nausea. relieving nausea and vomiting after surgery, and in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy .But it may be the most effective when it comes to pregnancy-related nausea, such as morning sickness.
Ginger has been shown to be effective against exercise-induced muscle pain. In one study, consuming 2 grams of ginger per day, for 11 days, significantly reduced muscle pain in people performing elbow exercises. Ginger does not have an immediate impact, but may be effective at reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain. These effects are believed to be mediated by the anti-inflammatory properties.
Osteoarthritis is a common health problem that involves degeneration of the joints in the body, leading to symptoms like joint pain and stiffness. Interestingly in a controlled trial of 247 people with osteoarthritis of the knee, those who took ginger extract had less pain and required less pain medication. Another study found that a combination of ginger, cinnamon and sesame oil, can reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis patients when applied topically.
Just to note this remedy is often given as an ayurvedic remedy for Vata type arthritis.
Ginger has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and improve various heart disease risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Mango Turmeric Ginger Tonic
Ingredients
1 lemon
Fresh ginger – about 1/2 inch
1 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1½ cups fresh or frozen mango pieces
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Directions
Zest and juice the lemon. Grate or peel and finely chop the ginger.
In a blender, combine t
he coconut milk, lemon zest and 1½ tablespoons juice, maple syrup, mango, ginger,and turmeric.
Season lightly with salt and blend until smooth.
Pour into glasses and serve.
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In Health,
