The kernel of the mangoe, roasted, is pleasant to the taste, and
grateful to the stomach; it is much recommended in laxities of the
bowels, and strengthens the primÊ viÊ; water drank after having eat
of this kernel, seems to possess a flavor peculiarly excellent. The
usual mode of preparing them, is to allow them to remain exposed to
the rains, till the shell shall have become decayed; by this process
it is deprived of any heating or irritating property. Prepared in this
manner, and kept a short time in lime juice, taken out, bruised and
mixed with salt, fennel, &c, it is much extolled for strengthening
the stomach, and promoting digestion.
If preserved for 3 years, pounded, and swallowed to the quantity of a
tolah, with a little water, no medicine is preferable for strengthening
bowels habitually lax.
In the acid state, the fruit is very prejudicial to those who have
any disorders in their teeth, a cough, an affection of the chest, or
who are subject to cholicky pain in the bowels, but very beneficial
when used in irritable habits. The best method of using them is
this. The acid unripe fruit, after the outer rind has been peeled
off, is to be cut into thin slices, and infused for some hours in
water; this water so impregnated, is to be drained off, mixed with
a sufficient proportion of sugar, and used as sherbet. It produces a
great relish for food, and is in other respects beneficial. The same
effects are produced by the unripe fruit, being roasted and allowed to
remain in water, as above mentioned. It is recommended in paralysis,
from coup de vent. Many physicians have considered the mangoe to be
of a cooling nature, but, in my opinion, it is heating in all its
stages. The Yunani physicians have stated the ripe fruit to be hot
in the 2d, and dry in the 3d degree.
Its virtues may be described in a few words. It strengthens the
system, gives tone to the kidnies, restores impaired appetite, &c. It
is aperient, improves the complexion, beneficial in piles, an useful
deobstruent, braces and increases the bulk of the solids, and removes
nervous affections. In some of these disorders I am inclined to doubt
of its good effects, but such virtues are attributed to it. It is
recommended, in order to prevent any bad effects from the fruit in
its unripe state, that raisins be eaten with it. Hukeem Alwee Khan,
a man of eminence in his profession in the reign of Mahommed Shah,
says, that if ever this fruit disagreed with the system, it must have
been eaten when unripe or green.
I had occasion to attend a gentleman of very high rank, who laboured
under dropsy; I cured him of the disease, but 3 years afterwards,
having eaten a large quantity of mangoes, the disease returned,
and I have observed the same effects in other cases.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account