Scientific name: Mangifera indica

POWO Status: Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Data Deficient

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 56.76″ N, 64° 49′ 43.01″ W

Medicinal Uses

Mangifera indica (mango) is a versatile medicinal plant, with all parts—fruit, leaves, bark, flowers, roots, and seeds—used in traditional systems like Ayurveda for conditions from diarrhea, diabetes, and inflammation to wounds, heart issues, and skin ailments, leveraging properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and digestive aid. Leaves help with diabetes and cough, bark treats rheumatism and ulcers, flowers purify blood, and ripe fruit acts as a tonic and laxative, while seeds address diarrhea and parasites, highlighting its broad therapeutic potential. 

Uses by Plant Part

• Leaves: Infused for diabetes, blood sugar control, coughs, burns, diarrhea, and as a contraceptive.
• Bark: Astringent for diphtheria, rheumatism, ulcers, and syphilis; believed to tone mucous membranes.
• Flowers: Used for purifying blood, treating gastric issues, anorexia, diarrhea, ulcers, and as a styptic for bleeding.
• Fruit (Ripe): Invigorating, restorative tonic for heat stroke, laxative, aphrodisiac, and helps with anemia.
• Fruit (Unripe): Antacid, digestive, carminative, and used for ophthalmia and dysentery.
• Seed/Kernel: Powdered for chronic diarrhea, asthma, diabetes, parasites (helminthiasis), hemorrhoids, and as a uterine tonic.
• Gum/Resin: Applied to cracked feet, scabies, and wounds. 

Key Medicinal Properties & Actions

• Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory: Rich in polyphenols like mangiferin, fighting oxidative stress.
• Digestive: Unripe fruit is carminative; kernels are astringent for diarrhea; ripe fruit is a laxative.
• Antidiabetic: Leaves and bark help manage blood sugar.
• Anticancer Potential: Preliminary studies show effects against certain cancer cells (breast, lung, etc.).
• Cardioprotective: Ripe fruit and seed kernel support heart health.
• Wound Healing: Bark, gum, and seed extracts can aid in wound repair and stop bleeding. 

Important Considerations

• While traditional uses are extensive, many findings are from preliminary studies; clinical trials are needed.
• Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for safe and effective use, especially for serious conditions.

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Mango Tree (Mangifera indica)

1. Flowering
Mango trees produce large, upright panicles of small, yellowish-white flowers at the ends of branches. These may contain both male and hermaphroditic (bisexual) flowers.

• In St. Croix, flowering typically begins in late dry season, around February to April, though local microclimates may influence timing.
• Trees often flower before full leaf flush, sometimes while still holding dry or sparse foliage.
• Flowering may last 2–4 weeks, depending on weather and cultivar.

Observation Tips:

• Watch for the emergence of flower panicles—they often appear suddenly.
• Note pollinator activity (bees and flies are common visitors).
• Track the transition from flower to fruit set over time.

2. Fruiting
After successful pollination, fruits begin to develop—starting small and green, eventually maturing to yellow, red, or greenish hues depending on the variety.

• Fruits typically ripen 3–5 months after flowering.
• In St. Croix, fruiting season generally peaks between June and August, though this can vary.

Observation Tips:

• Record fruit set rate (only a small percentage of flowers produce fruit).
• Track size and color changes of developing mangoes.
• Note fruit drop timing—both premature and mature fruits may fall.

3. Leaf Flush
New mango leaves are a distinctive reddish-bronze or copper when young, gradually turning green as they mature.

• Leaf flushes occur several times a year, often following flowering or fruiting cycles.
• Leaves are typically lance-shaped and leathery when mature.

Observation Tips:

• Look for red-tipped shoots at branch ends to mark early flush stages.
• Compare timing of leaf flush vs. flowering—in some trees, leaf flush may overlap or follow flowering.

4. Leaf Drop
Mango trees are evergreen, but they do drop older leaves regularly.

• Increased leaf litter may occur before flowering, as the tree reallocates energy to reproductive growth.

5. Seasonal Pattern in St. Croix

• Late dry season (Feb–Apr): Flowering begins
• Early wet season (May–Jun): Fruit development
• Peak wet season (Jul–Aug): Fruit ripening and harvest
• Late wet season (Sep–Oct): Leaf flush and canopy renewal