By: Batumba Tak
General Secretary
The St. Kitts-Nevis Trades & Labour Union
Some Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Mango Leaves
In the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, “The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit.”
Many persons are in pursuit of bodily perfection and so they search endlessly for the latest health secrets. In addition, they spend enormous amounts of money on adjustments, injections, prescriptions and procedures, even on personal trainers! Thus, they continue to listen to Gurus/Medical Doctors.
Furthermore, they also continue to look for special nutrients. Then they also seek magical cure as well, and yet they are hardly the healthiest people in the world.
Additionally, in today’s fast paced world, it has been stated that over 60% of persons are overweight and more than 30% are obese while millions continue to suffer from heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and many other maladies.
However, very recent research have revealed that millions of people take drugs for mental disorder. The stories we read are similar across all nations but for many, the modern all-consuming quest for health is an expensive, never-ending search for the “Holy Grail,” (The cup that is said to have been used by Jesus Christ and that was sought by Knights during the Middle Ages) which most often fails to produce the health and peace of mind that the majority of people desire.
Nonetheless, let us now continue from where we left off from in our previous article by looking briefly at how Mango Leaves help to cure Dysentery.
The Nutritionist and the Dietitian have both agree that Mango Leaves help in treating bleeding Dysentery (Dysentery is a type of gastroenteritis that result in diarrhea with blood. Other symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete defecation).
Mango Leaves, dried in shade, should be powdered and then be taken with water two to three times a day to help stop Dysentery.
We shall now look briefly at how Mango Leaves help to cures Ear Aches.
I am pretty sure that just like me anyone who had suffer from ear aches will agree that it can be quite irritating. My grandmother and other elders in our communities used to use this home remedy that always provides good relief.
In addition, they used to say that there is nothing that a good home remedy cannot cure, and believe you me they were right all the time. However, a teaspoon of juice extracted from Mango Leaves use as eardrops provides relief from ear ache. Please keep in mind though to heat the juice slightly before using it.
We shall now turn our attention briefly and look at how Mango Leaves help to heal burns.
I could remember vividly getting a burnt injury when I was about seven years old and my grandmother burning a handful of Mango Leaves; to make a remedy; sometimes she used breadfruit leaves or Simply Wiry to ashes then applied it on the affected area. I can tell you for a fact that provides instant relief.
In fact, I could also recall hearing her say you better listen very carefully to what I am doing and saying because when I am no longer among the land of the living these home remedies will help you tremendously, and believe you me she was right as always.
We shall now look at how Mango Leaves help to treat Hiccups and Throat problems.
Like I wrote earlier that my grandmother was right as always, there were three other elderly persons that I used to go to for advice namely Ms. Agatha Caines, Ms. Dorsha who is better known as Humba, and my next door neighbor Ms. Molly, they also possessed the gift of making home grown health remedies as well.
All three of them including my grandmother worked very hard on the sugar estate so they knew all about the home grown remedies and exactly where to find them. In addition, they also knew the lands pretty well and the types of crops that will not only flourish but productive as well.
For example, they used to advise that if suffering from hiccups or throat problems, Mango Leaves or Breadfruit Leaves or Simply Wiry, are a very good home remedies and that all we have to do is burn a few of their leaves and inhale the smoke. I also know for a fact that these leaves help to cure hiccups and throat problems.
However, I do think that it’s about time that we take our health more seriously and return to those home remedies that were passed down to us by our grandparents and other elderly persons in our communities.
Finally, we shall close today’s article by looking at how Mango Leaves help to treat stomach ailments.
The Nutritionist and the Dietitian both clearly state that by putting 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. In addition, they have also indicated that regular intake of this infusion acts as a good stomach tonic that helps prevent various stomach ailments as well.
I am pretty sure that the majority of us are quite aware that Mango Leaves are available throughout the year, so using them for home remedies is very easy. It is also a known fact that the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties help to treat various ailments efficiently.
The question that has been asked is, Have you or anyone in your family ever use Mango Leaves for medicinal purposes?” “How was the experience?” Readers, how about sharing your experience with us by sending your comments to the General Secretary at info@sknunion.com or franklynramsey@gmail.com. We await your written comments and say thank you in advance.
As time is of the utmost importance, we shall stop here for today, but will continue by looking at Some Health Benefits of Mangoes.
As I end here for today, I leave you with a quote by Moliere, a Mango Poem by an Unknown Author, a Mango recipe, and a Mango Song by Libby, Dee/Wayne, Sid.
“The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.” – Moliere.
My Mango Tree
By: An Unknown Author.
Made me climb on her hands,
Holding me not to fall,
Made a swing on her hands,
Swinging me not to cry,
Made a basket of ripe mangoes,
Filling my paunch not to crave,
Made the shade of branches,
Protecting me not to lather,
Made a rapport of harmony,
Loving me motherly not to yearn,
Never let me down,
My sweet Mango Tree!
Mango Kofta Pulao
Ingredients:
· 4 Tsp Oil. * 2 Bay Leaves.
· 1 Tsp Corn Flour. * 2-3 Cloves.
· One Tsp Jeera. * 2 Cinnmon Sticks.
· One Cup Paneer. * 1 Tsp Ghee.
· 1 Tsp Green Chilli. * 1 Tsp Gulab Jal.
· Few Curry Leaves. *1 Tsp Kewda Water.
· 1 Cup Boiled Basmati Rice. * 1 Tsp Ginger Paste..
· 1 Cup Ripe Mangoes. * 1 Tsp Besan.
· 1 Cup Coriander Leaves.
Method:
For the Kofta.
a. Great Paneer and add chopped ripe mango, corn flour, a pinch of besan, pinch of elaichi powder, a few pieces of cashew, Mix them all together and make round balls. There’s no need for water as the juice from the Mangoes will help set the balls.
b. In another bowl, mix corn flour besan, salt and add a little water. Mix the batter till it forms a thick consistency and there are no lumps.
c. Dip the round balls in the batter and deep fry on a medium flame.
d. Fry them till they turn golden brown. Drain them on a tissue and keep aside.
For The Pulao
1. In a pan, heat 1 tsp oil.
2. Add Jeera seeds, curry leaves, bay leaves, lavang, cinnamon sticks, chopped ginger, salt and sauté for few minutes.
3. Add green chilies and mix.
4. Add the boiled rice, coriander leaves and mix well.
5. Sprinkle kewda water, few drops of gulaabjal (Rose Water).
6. Add the kofta on top and serve hot.
Mango Time
By: Dulcimer “Peaches” Robothom.
Mi nuh drink coffee tea mango time,
Care how nice it may be mango time,
In the heat of the mango crop,
When di fruit dem a ripe an drop,
Wash your pot turn dem down mango time.
De turpentine large an fine, mango time,
Robin mango so sweet, mango time,
Number eleven an hairy skin,
Pack di bankra an ram dem in,
For di bankra mus’ full, mango time.
Mek wi go a mango walk, mango time,
For is only di talk mango time,
Mek wi jump pon di big jackass,
Ride im dung an no tap a pass,
Mek di bests a di crop, mango time.