SEARCH
ACCOUNT
We Will Forever Be Royals: Three Tremendous Benefits of Raw Mango Butter
Mango, King of Fruit. It’s a title well-deserved and acknowledged throughout the world, especially given that the mango tree has been revered by Hindu and Buddhist cultures for centuries. In India, the mango is a symbol of love, with some believing that the tree itself is a magical wish-granting plant. It is believed that Buddhist monks introduced the mango to eastern Asia around the 5th century, with Buddha claiming to find tranquility in a mango grove.[i] Persian traders introduced it in turn throughout the Middle East and Africa, where kings and nobles cultivated mango groves as sources of pride and social standing, with gifts of mangos being greatly esteemed. The fruit was eventually introduced to the Portuguese who eventually brought it to Brazil; from South America, the mango made its way to the southern states of the U.S. throughout the 1800s.
But what of mango butter, extracted from the kernels of this tropical fruit? Soft and sweet, raw mango butter is cherished worldwide as one of the most organic skin moisturizers. Similar to shea and cocoa butter in its consistency and smoothness, mango butter differs in fatty acid content. It is extremely rich in antioxidants and Vitamins A and E. These factors, along with its characteristic sweet fragrance, have helped mango butter find its way into a spectrum of soaps, skin lotions, and hair care products. Surely Lorde hadn’t included raw mango butter in her daily care regimen before writing the lyrics to her smashing debut “Royals”—otherwise “but we’ll never be royals” may have had a footnote noting “unless we buy mango butter”.
Majestically Rejuvenated Skin
Higher in fatty acids than most other natural butters—specifically containing about 46% oleic acid, 43% stearic acid, and 6% linoleic acid—mango butter is innately a fantastic emollient that is easily absorbed, providing softness and suppleness as it helps your skin lock in moisture. Its deeply moisturizing properties help this butter penetrate and heal even severely chapped areas of the skin, as are commonly found along the heels, elbows, and knees. Given its anti-inflammatory components, raw mango butter furthermore helps with skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, and acne; by helping cells heal and rejuvenating the layers of your skin, mango butter reduces redness, irritation, and even the severity of scars that may be left by acne and the wrinkles that serve as a testament of time.
In addition to minimizing the appearance of the crinkles of age, mango butter is also commonly used to reduce sun damage spots and even stretch marks. Mango butter has even been shown to help protect the skin from external elements and environmental pollutants, inherently having a natural SPF factor between 6-15 which helps to protect the skin against UVB radiation. Its high levels of antioxidants also help seal the skin against free radicals (and help to reduce their impact) that emerge through pollutions in the air including traffic fumes and pesticides.
- Facial Cream and Spot Treatment: Mix 2 tbsp. mango butter + ½ tsp. rosehip oil + ¼ tsp. Vitamin E oil; add 3 drops lavender essential oil + 3 drops helichrysum oil.
- Anti-inflammatory Skin Treatment Lotion: Mix ¼ cup mango butter + ½ cup coconut oil; blend in high-speed blender until creamy white. Use against eczema and psoriasis.
- Sunburn Healing Lotion: Mix 2 tbsp. melted mango butter + 2 tsp. aloe vera gel; add 3 drops sea buckthorn oil + 3 drops peppermint oil. Refrigerate 15 minutes and whip with hand mixer until creamy white. Smear a light layer on damaged skin.
Regally Nourished Hair
You guessed it; if it’s amazing for the skin, it’s just as impeccable for your hair. Mango butter has long been used by many cultures to nourish the hair and scalp, treating everything from dry to frizzy and damaged locks by helping to lock in the moisture and soften the follicles, lending hair a healthy sheen and a silky texture. Abounding with antioxidants and vitamins with absolutely no toxins or carcinogenic chemicals, it's one of the safest and sweetest ways to care for your hair.
- Hair Conditioner: Mix ¼ cup melted mango butter + 1 tsp. avocado oil + 2 tsp. aloe vera gel + 10 drops of essential oil (your choice); refrigerate for 15 minutes until it solidifies; blend until it becomes creamy white; use on damp hair as a moisturizer.
- Hair Strengthener: to fight against hair loss, early grey hairs, and dandruff, some stylists even recommend blending mango butter with mustard oil (leaving it out in the sun for a few days before applying it to your hair).[ii]
A Nobly Protected Immune System
The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties—largely thanks to mango butter’s inclusion of extremely healthy tannins—also help to lessen the irritations and redness caused by insect bites and some allergic reactions. But these benefits delve deeper beneath the surface. The wound-healing and regenerative properties of mango fat have been examined in various studies showing that mangifera indica (the mango) portrays strong antioxidant, immunomodulation, cardiotonic, hypotensive, anti-degenerative, and antidiabetic properties.[iii] Research from experts in India and Malaysia further emphasizes the protective nature of mango fat on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in the body’s tissues.[iv]
You can enjoy Mother Nature’s exotic gift in the comfort of your home with a plethora of organic homemade recipes and alchemies. HumbleBeeAndMe have got a variety of lovely concoctions ranging from body butter to deodorant. Here are just a couple of our favorites:
- Vegan Deodorant: Melt together 15 gr cocoa butter + 8 gr mango butter + 16 gr coconut oil + 4 gr sunflower oil + 1 gr neem oil* + 2 drops Vitamin E oil; add 8 gr white kaolin clay + 9 gr baking soda + 6 gr arrowroot starch, then stir and remove from heat; add 4 blobs labdanum essential oil + 15 drops orange essential oil. Let cool and pour into tin or push-up tube (*neem oil should not be used by pregnant woman, as it has been shown to have arborificant effects).[v]
- Vegan Citrus Lip Balm: Melt together 11 gr mango butter + 9 gr candelilla wax + 11 gr soy or sunflower lecithin (simmer for about 20 minutes); remove from heat and stir in 5 drops lemongrass essential oil + 5 drops bergamot essential oil + 7 drops lemon myrtle essential oil. Pour into lip balm tubes (fills 6) and let it set for 10 minutes. Cap and label, and you’re ready![vi]
[i] https://www.mdidea.com/products/herbextract/mangiferin/data06.html
[ii] http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-of-mango-seeds-for-skin-hair-and-health/#gref
[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249901/
[iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791832/