Meals That Heal – Chamangos
You Haven’t Lived Until You’ve Tried A Chamango
The best things in life are sweet (and spicy). When the summer sun starts sizzling -try this deliciously sweet and spicy drink from Mexico. Lay on your hammock, put on your sombrero, and just chill!
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.
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.
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 the 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, which is normally a vata problem. Importantly, mangoes are an aphrodisiac.
This fruit is a good source of a variety of minerals and vitamins that help to increase sexual energy. Hence, Ayurveda acharyas call this fruit “Vrishya”. This means the one that helps in erectile dysfunction, to increase the quality and quantity of semen.
Lastly, mangoes are your go-to fruit for glowing, rosy skin. The natural vitamins of Vitamin A and Vitamin C help to relieve clogged pores and increase fairness and glow. Hence, this fruit is known for its property of maintaining the integrity of the skin’s layers.
Western View: Research has shown that antioxidant compounds in mango fruit protect against colon, breast, leukemia, and prostate cancers. These compounds include quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid, and methylgallat, as well as 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 become exhausted in the summer months is that 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 boost 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.
Chamangos
Meals That Heal: Chamangos
Ingredients
- ½ oz Chamoy sauce or paste
- ½ oz Real mango puree
- ½ oz Fresh lime juice
- 2 oz Grapefruit soda
Instructions
- Combine the first three ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until well blended.
- Add grapefruit soda, flip the shaker once and pour into a rocks glass.
- Garnish with a tamarind-wrapped straw.
And that’s all there is to it. You’re now a chamango expert! Share your chamangos with us on Instagram by using the hashtag #healthyChamango. We can’t wait to see your creations.
There’s no one size fits all for what you should eat. If you would like to talk with me about what is the right diet for you, sign up for a complimentary consultation. Just click on the link to my online calendar to find a good time that works for you.
In health,
