Wellness
oi-Shivangi Karn
on July 29, 2021
Mango ginger, scientifically known as Curcuma amada, is a unique spice that resembles a ginger but gives a flavour of a raw mango when cut. The plant belongs to the ginger family Zingiberaceae but is closely related to turmeric, the reason why it is also known as mango turmeric.
Mango ginger is a widely used spice of Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Java, including India. In India, it is known by the name Aam Haldi and cultivated mostly in Gujarat, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and many north-eastern states. Other names of the spice include tenu pauh in Malaysia, temu mangga in Indonesia and Khamin Khao in Thailand.
Many studies mention the uses of mango ginger in Ayurveda and Unani medicine systems for the treatment of conditions like fever, skin disease, asthma, stomach disorders and many more. In culinary, the spice is largely used to prepare pickles, chutneys and sauces. [1]
Let’s know about mango ginger in detail.
Active Compounds In Mango Ginger
The major chemical components include starch, fibres, phenolic acids, volatile oils, curcuminoids and terpenoids like difurocumenonol, amadannulen and amadaldehyde.
The compounds which are responsible for its aroma of raw mango are identified as pinene, delta-3-carene, (Z)-beta-ocimene and myrcene (beta-myrcene). [2] Most of the compounds that indicate the mango flavour of mango ginger is a mixture of characteristics compounds from both turmeric and raw mango
Mango ginger contains phytochemicals like polyphenols that include anthocyanins, flavanones, resveratrol, ellagic acid and isoflavones. More than 100 phytochemicals have been reported in both fresh and dried extracts of aam haldi. [3]
Health Benefits Of Mango Ginger
1. Stimulates the appetite appetizer
Mango ginger contains curcuminoids (like turmeric) such as curcumin, demethoxy curcumin and des-methoxy curcumin. Curcumin in the spice can act as a great appetizer and may help stimulate the appetite of a person. This is the reason why many studies mention the long history of mango ginger in culinary preparations. [4]
2. May treat depressive symptoms
Some studies talk about the antidepressant activity of mango ginger. It says that aam haldi has coolant and carminative properties that may help calm the mind and the nervous system and help get rid of depressive symptoms like anxiety, mood swings and headache. Also, the aroma of the spice helps relax the mind. [5]
3. Have antitumor effects
A study talks about high anticancer activity of mango ginger. It says that the spice tends to downregulate the gene expression which is responsible for the proliferation or growth of cancer cells. It also adds that when this potent spice is combined with standard cancer treatments like chemotherapy, there are increased chances of survival of patients as mango ginger prevents the further growth of tumour cells due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. [6]
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4. Reduces fever
A range of flavonoids in mango ginger provides antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Mango ginger may help reduce the high temperature of the body due to its coolant effect and help fight the pathogens which are causing the fever.
5. Stimulates sexual desire
Some studies mention mango ginger as a great aphrodisiac, a food that may help arouse sexual desires and increase sexual performance and pleasures. Mango ginger contains vital antioxidants like traditional ginger that may help promote blood flow in the body, which leads to stimulation of sexual desire. Also, the antioxidants help prevent damage to sperm or reproductive organs. [7]
6. Manages arthritis
A study has shown that mango ginger may help reduce the inflammation of the bones which is causing rheumatoid arthritis and thus, help treat the condition. Inflammation is the main cause of arthritis and mango ginger’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects can help treat the condition at great levels. [8]
7. Treats obesity
Obesity is the main cause of metabolic disorders like diabetes and heart disease. A study talks about the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of curcumin in mango ginger that may help treat and prevent obesity. The study says that curcumin interacts with adipocytes, muscle cells, macrophages and pancreatic cells and thus, helps suppress the inflammatory factors linked to obesity. [9]
8. Treats cough
Mango ginger has expectorant activity, meaning it helps promote the secretion of phlegm from the airways and thus, treats the cough. The volatile constituents such as alpha-zingiberene, cuparene, beta-bisabolene and gamma curcumene in mango ginger are considered to be the main cause of treating this condition. It may also help treat other respiratory conditions like bronchitis and asthma. [10]
9. Treats constipation
Mango ginger is a great laxative as it is a rich source of fibre and starch. Fibre helps bulk the stool and induce movements in the intestines. As mango ginger is also a diuretic, it increases the water in the stool which helps make it softer and passable. This helps treat constipation in a person.
10. Treats stomach disorders
Mango ginger is great to cure biliousness that includes stomach pain, bad digestion, excessive flatulence, acid problems and other stomach problems. Biliousness is caused due to fault in the bile juice production. This unique spice may help promote good quality and quality of bile juice and thus, help treat the aforementioned conditions.
11. Treats many skin diseases
Aggravation of pitta tends to imbalance the heat energy in the body, which is the main cause of certain conditions like skin diseases. Mango ginger has astringent and coolant properties and is known to pacify the disturbned pitta in the body and treat skin conditions like itching, allergies, rashes and many more. [11]
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Story first published: Thursday, July 29, 2021, 12:31 [IST]
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