7+ Health Benefits of Curcuma Amada (Mango Ginger)
Come monsoons and the markets are flooded with this spice that looks like ginger but is not really ginger. Well, it is ginger with a taste of mango. People love all kinds of pickles, whether it’s the mango, lime, or mixed vegetables. But did you know mango ginger is also pickled? If you haven’t tasted it yet, you definitely should try it. Known as Ambe Halad in Marathi, Aam Haldi in Hindi and Curcuma Amada (Mango Ginger) botanically, this plant from the ginger family is quite versatile.
The Curcuma plant belongs to the ginger family Zingiberaceae and it is a part of the turmeric family. Mango ginger looks exactly like the spice ginger, but tastes like raw mango; hence the name Aam Haldi. Other well-known herbal plants from the Curcuma family are Indian arrowroot, turmeric, karchura. It is a seasonal plant and it’s often found in parts of Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Himalayas, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in India.
Ayurveda and Unani medicine have been using Curcuma Amada as a part of their herbal remedies for centuries as a starter, diuretic, laxative, expectorant, aphrodisiac and more. This root is also used in Indian households while preparing food as it is known to have antibacterial and antibiotic properties. While most in the south would know mango ginger as a pickle, not many know of its other health benefits.
Properties of Curcuma Amada:
The Curcuma plant has powerful properties.
- An antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant.
- A good appetizer, a calming agent.
- An anti-allergenic
- An analgesic
- Works as a depressant
- Cytotoxic i.e. works as an immune cell or venom in our body
- Have properties that inhibit the growth of triglycerides in our body
Mango ginger consists of carbohydrates, curcuminoids, volatile essential oils, phenolic acids as well as terpenoids like diflurocumenonol, amadaldehyde, and amadannulen. It also has β-mycrene and α-asarone as well.
Let’s Take a Look at The Mango Ginger Health Benefits
1.Relieves Pain:
The Curcuma Amada works as a calming agent, which helps to relieve pain in our body.
To Use:
Mix 25 grams of ambe haldi with 100 grams of sesame oil and heat it on low flame till it’s lukewarm. Use this oil to massage your body which helps to relieve pain.
2.Treats Skin Diseases:
Mango Ginger is a powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant. So it is used to treat skin issues. It helps to detoxify the body and improve skin complexion, get rid of acne and other skin problems. It is also used in various cosmetics and skin care products.
To Use:
Add 2 tsp of mango ginger juice to 2 tbsp of milk or rose water. Mix together, apply on your face and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
3.Relieves Itching:
This root is a powerful anti-allergenic. It helps to relieve itching, regardless of the factors causing it.
To Use:
Mix 2 tsp of Curcuma Amada to a little coconut oil and then apply on irritated skin. Or you can mix 1 tsp of Aam Haldi powder with a cup of milk. Boil it and then let it cool before you drink it.
4.Corrects Metabolic Issues:
Ayurveda believes this plant helps to rectify all metabolic issues. It helps to soothe all three Doshas in our body, especially Pitta. It has properties that inhibit the growth of triglycerides in our body, which works wonders when it comes to metabolic complications. Use of mango ginger prevents further complications if you are suffering from diabetes.
To Use:
Mix a tsp of mango ginger powder to a glass of milk before drinking it.
5.Relieves Cold and Cough:
Mango ginger is an expectorant and analgesic. It is often used to relieve cold and cough. It also helps to relieve bronchitis as well as asthma.
To Use:
Mix a teaspoon of dried aam Haldi powder mixed with water or fresh juice. Drink this mix to get relief.
6.Relieves Digestive Problems:
Aam Haldi has enterokinase, an enzyme that helps digestion in humans and animals. This enzyme helps to break down proteins to organic compounds that are easier to digest. This root also helps to detoxify the body. It helps to relieve gas, improves appetite and promotes digestive strength.
7.Relieves Inflammation:
It has anti-inflammatory properties that help to prevent swelling in the joints. It is recommended by doctors to relieve swelling in the liver, arthritic joint pains, rheumatism as well as swelling caused by injuries, sprains, and bruises.
To use:
Boil 200 gms of moringa bark (bark of a drumstick tree) with water to make a paste. Mix this paste with 100 grams of mango ginger powder and 100 grams of black pepper powder. Mix all of this together and then apply on the joints to relieve pain.
8.Relieves Head Lice and Dandruff:
It has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. Using mango ginger as a part of the medication helps to relieve head lice as well as get rid of dandruff.
To Use:
Mix 10 grams each of mango ginger, fenugreek, Brahmi, Amla powder and 20 grams of Shikakai powder. Add this mix to 100 ml of coconut oil to form a paste. Apply this paste to your scalp and leave for 30 minutes. Clean it up with a good herbal shampoo followed by conditioner if needed.
We have tried to put forth as many benefits as possible for Curcuma Amada (Mango Ginger). Do avoid using these remedies if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult Ayurveda Specialists in Hyderabad or the city you live in before you decide to use these remedies.
