Mango - traditional medicine

All parts of the mango plant from the seeds and flowers to the leaves and gum are used in traditional South Asian medicine, but the fruits are most important.

Mango remedies

Unani physicians hold mangos in very high esteem because of their many medicinal virtues. They are used for strengthening the nervous and blood systems, ridding the body of toxins and treating anaemia. In Ayurveda, dried mango flowers are used to cure dysentery, diarrhoea and inflammation of the urinary tract.

In South Asian folk medicine, rheumatism and diphtheria is treated using the astringent bark of the mango tree. Cracked skin on the soles of feet and scabies is cured by applying the gum which oozes from the trunk of the tree. The powdered seeds are used to stem bleeding. Fruits are eaten as a kidney tonic and to cure headaches.
A photograph of mango seeds from Kew's Economic Botany Collection.
Image: Mango seeds have been used in traditional South Asian medicine.

The leaf, bark, stem and green unripe and half ripe fruits are thought to inhibit the growth of bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. Ripe mangos are said to contain anti-fungal properties, juice from the seeds claims to offer relief from diarrhoea and young leaves are thought to prevent sickness. Many of these uses are supported by scientific evidence.

This information is provided for general interest only. It is not intended as guidance for medicinal use. Further information on using herbal medicines is available.