Who can never be attracted but be delightful to the amiable shapes and sweet aroma of various mangoes that the Philippines are blessed with? Mango belongs to the Mangifera genus of the tall evergreen trees. Mango is really so delicious and aromatic tropical fruit available in different shapes, colors, sizes and weight. This might be oval, round, elongated or kidney-shaped, green, green-yello9w or even orange to red in color. It is accessible during the hot season.
Do you know that Mango is contemplated as the queen of Philippine fruits? The Philippines has different varieties of mangoes such as kalabaw, piko, indiyan, paho, supsupin.
Filipinos are so proud of the Philippine mangoes of kalabaw variety because these are labeled internationally as Philippine Super Mangoes and are considered as one of the delicious fruits in the world.
Data of the National Mango Research and Development Center shows, the Philippines ranks seventh among the major mango producing countries and ranks sixth largest fresh mango exporter in the world, and its main export variety is the kalabaw mango.
Truly, no one can ever refuse the tasty smell of mango to enjoy the bounty that this tropical fruit brings! This certainly rewards a lot of health benefits for those who actually enjoy eating it.
According to several nutritionists and health experts, mangoes are very nutritious and excellent sources of beta (Vitamin A) carotene compared to the other fruits. Vitamin A is fundamental for proper development of cells of the skin, mucous membrane and even protects eyes for night vision or prevents from night blindness.
Both ripe and unripe mangoes are very good sources of Vitamin C. Both Vitamins A and C are anti-oxidant and help prevent free radical injury and, therefore, minimize the risk of certain cancer.
Medium ripe manggang (mango) kalabaw gives more Vitamin A (beta-carotene) than medium ripe piko but both have almost the same amounts of Vitamin C. Unripe mangoes contains more Vitamin C than ripe mango, but ripe mango has full of pro-vitamin (beta-carotene) but smaller amount of Vitamin C. Unripe paho or pahutan has more Vitamin C while unripe manggang (mango) kalabaw and piko.
Health experts also discovered that decoction from the roots of mango is also beneficial to be used against some kidney diseases. Using decoction from the mango roots is also good to relieve some kidney illnesses.
They also found out that mango resin can cure various wounds in the mouth like chop lips. The fresh leaves of mango can be boiled and its decoction when drink is an excellent defense to diarrhea and diabetes. Using some ashes out of the mango burned leaves can also heal skin burns. Leaves and bark of the mango tree are also useful to cure toothache, weak gums and sore throat.
The decoction of mango bark is likewise good against diphtheria. Herbalists also discovered drinking the decoction of the mango dried flowers can also cure diarrhea and urinary bladder diseases.
Moreover, raw mango is good when used as astringent and can cure scurvy. Eating a raw mango is recommendable when suffering from indigestion and constipation. The powdered mango leaves is believed that can ease the diabetes. Drinking the decoction of mango leaves is effective against burns, scald, asthma, bloody gums and ringworm. To drink the decoction of mango leaves with small amount of honey is an efficient medication against laryngitis and other bronchial diseases.
Using resin out of the mango bark is also good anti-nasal catarrh and lung hemorrhages. Mangga (mango) bark is good for hot compress to relieve the pain and reduce swelling as recommended by some health experts. Just simply boil a piece of mango bark in a hot with (3) glasses of water for (10) minutes. Use the decoction for hot compress.
It is always recommended that patients who are suffering from cough should drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Finely chop several fresh leaves. Get (6) tbsp. of the chopped leaves and boiled in an earthenware pot containing (2) glasses of water for (15) minutes. Cool and strain and drink the decoction. If dried leaves are used, boil only (4) tbsp. of finely chopped dried leaves.
Mango leaves are good medicinal plant used for vaginal wash especially for women who have just delivered a baby or who have vaginal infections.
Meanwhile, Mango Industry in the Philippines is being anticipated to continuously grow. The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the country said, the volume of exporting Philippine mangoes would furthermore increase after the United States Government allowed Guam and Hawaii to purchase that tropical fruit being harvested from different parts of the Philippines, but, excluding Palawan area.
The demand for Philippine mangoes is also expanding in US as a result of such rule. Reports said, about 250 metric tons of mangoes had been sold by the Philippine Government to US Government in year 2007 from 56.3 metric tons in year 2006. The Philippines ranks sixth among the largest countries which sells fresh mangoes in US.
Agriculture sector in the Philippines, yearly, gains its P14.9 Billion revenues from the Mango Industry. DA declared mango ranks third among the fundamental fruit products of the Philippines next to banana and pineapple.
Here are some recommendable refreshing drinks or beverages prepared by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines.
Fruit Juice Medley
Ingredients
- 1 (pc) ripe mango
- 1 (pc) lakatan banana
- 1 slice papaya
- kalamansi juice
- sugar to taste
Procedure
- Blend all the fruits into the blender until they are smooth.
- Add 2/3 cup of water for every 1/3 cup of fruit pulp.
- Stir in Kalamansi juice and sugar. Chill.
Enjoy serving (4) cups of the finished product.
Green Mango Punch
Ingredients
- 1 (pc) green mango (kalabaw variety)
- 2 (cups) water
- 1 (tsp) kalamansi juice
- 1 (cup) sugar
- 1 (cup) carbonated beverage
Procedure
- Remove all skins and seeds of the green mango. Put pulp in blender with (2) cups of water. Cover it.
- Turn on the blender and run for (1) to (2) minutes or until mixture is thoroughly blended.
- Pour blended ingredients into a pitcher.
- Stir in kalamansi juice, sugar and carbonated beverage.
Serves the (4) cups of the finished product while cold.
