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

From soothing ear aches to healing burns, mango leaves are a must-have in your pantry.

Medically reviewed by Gabrielle KaneGabrielle Kane, RDN, CSP, LD
By Tanya ChoudharyTanya Choudhary, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition  • 

While most of you might love eating mangoes, are you aware of the mango leaves benefits as well? Most 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. 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 utilise mango leaves to reap its key benefits. Reason to know more!

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

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 various other nutrients. The mango leaves have powerful antioxidant properties as they have a high content of flavonoids and phenols (1).

1. Treating Diabetes

Mango leaves may help treat diabetes

Image: Shutterstock

The mango leaves are very useful for treating diabetes. Animal studies suggest that the tender leaves of the mango tree 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  XA blood vessel disease that involves damage to cells in the blood vessels caused by high blood sugar/glucose levels. and diabetic retinopathyi  XA 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.

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  XA condition that occurs when veins become enlarged and overfilled with blood, commonly affecting the leg veins. .

3. Treats Restlessness

Mango leaves may help with anxiety

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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

Mango leaves may help with respiratory problems likes colds.

Image: Shutterstock

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

Mango leaves may soothe ear aches

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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

Mango leaves may relieve hiccups and throat issues

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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).

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

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!

5 important health benefits of mango leaves (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Download Infographic in PDF version

Mango leaves benefits are lesser-known. These leaves are loaded with vitamins A, B, and C and many beneficial nutrients that promote overall health. Mango leaves help in managing diabetes, and also lowers blood pressure. In addition, it effectively manages restlessness, respiratory problems, dysentery, and cures earaches. Mango leaves also heal burns and aid in treating kidney and gall stones. These leaves also treat hiccups and throat problems, and the infusion of these leaves is an effective stomach tonic that helps relieve many stomach-related ailments. Try including mango leaves in your diet to reap the benefits they offer.

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.

Key Takeaways

  • Mango leaves help reduce blood pressure and treat diabetes.
  • Mango leaves contain a phytochemical called mangiferin, which may help ease anxiety-related restlessness.
  • You can burn a few mango leaves to ashes to help treat colds and hiccups.
  • Mango leaf extract can be used as ear drops to treat earaches.

Sources

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Leaves: Nutritional Composition, Phytochemical Profile, and Health-Promoting Bioactivities
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349254386_Mango_Mangifera_indica_L_Leaves_Nutritional_Composition_Phytochemical_Profile_and_Health-Promoting_Bioactivities
  2. Antidiabetic Potential of Mangifera indica L. cv. Anwar Ratol Leaves: Medicinal Application of Food Wastes
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6681213/
  3. Study of the Hypoglycemic Effect of Mango Leaves Powder Fortified Balady Bread on Diabetic Rats Induced by Alloxan
    https://www.idosi.org/wasj/wasj33(9)15/1.pdf
  4. Phytochemical and in vitro and in vivo biological investigation on the antihypertensive activity of mango leaves (Mangifera indica L.)
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273746792_Phytochemical_and_in_vitro_and_in_vivo_biological_investigation_on_the_antihypertensive_activity_of_mango_leaves_Mangifera_indica_L
  5. Protective effect of mangiferin against lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive and anxiety-like behaviour in mice
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25064341/
  6. Potential Effects of Olive and Mango Leaves on Alloxan Induced Diabetes Complications in Rats
    https://journals.ekb.eg/article_181266_81ce1a90752c1a68fefe8fb2c9f7a0cb.pdf
  7. Nutritional Health Benefits and Bioactive Compounds of Mangifera indica L (Mango) Leaves Methanolic Extracts
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344391072_Nutritional_Health_Benefits_and_Bioactive_Compounds_of_Mangifera_indica_L_Mango_Leaves_Methanolic_Extracts
  8. Mangifera Indica (Mango)
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3249901/
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