The Character of the Gift
Botanical name: Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae)
THE TREE OF THE ETERNAL LIFE FULL OF LOVE
This captivating fruit tree is mystical and fascinating: Mango is the food of the gods. The Mango tree is the symbol of love, wealth, fertility and even immortality. In India, the leaves of Mango trees are used in wedding ceremonies in order to ensure that the couple bears many children.
The origin of the beautiful Mango tree is not known for sure. However, 25-30 million year old Mango fossils have been found in Southern Asia. Itís also known that Mango was growing in India in 2000 BC. Nowadays the Mango has spread everywhere in the tropics of the world.
A Mango tree is a big, round fruit tree with a dense top. It can reach up to 30 m (98 ft) in height and 80 cm (2.6 ft) in trunk diameter. The trunk is branched from the lower part of the trunk. The fast-growing tree provides fruits after only 4-6 years. A fully grown tree can be hundreds of years old and some Mango trees are known to be over 300 years old Ė and still bearing fruit!
FRAGRANT FLOWERS AND WONDERFUL FRUIT
Mango trees bloom and bear fruits from January to July. The flowers are tiny, yellowish pink and grow in dense pyramidal clusters. The fruits are oval, 8-30 cm (3-11 inch) long. They are green when immature and turn yellow, red or orange as they ripen. The strong aromatic smell is not only tempting to man Ė small mammals and birds of the forest love the tasty mangoes as well. The yellow, fresh fruit flesh is juicy and delicious and can be made into juice, jelly or preserves.
TENDERLY HEALING TREE Ė THE POWERFUL MEDICINE REQUIRES ACCURATE MEASURING
Mango fruit is natureís own amazing health pack. Besides large amount of A-, B-, and C-vitamin, mango also contains iron, potassium and magnesium. As a medicine, mango can be used in the treatment of anemia and to ease muscle cramps. Laboratory tests have also proven mango to have a virus destroying effect.
Almost every part of the Mango tree can be used. The leaves, flowers, sap and the bark have medicinal uses. The leaves have been used to clean teeth. Tea made out of the bark is used to treat bronchitis and tea made out of the dried leaves is used to heal urinary infection. Some elements, however, are very powerful and can cause an allergic reaction for some people. Furthermore, when using parts other than the fruit for medicinal purposes, accurate measuring is crucial. An overdose of medicine can even be lethal.