Manna ash is an olive tree native to the Mediterranean region, which is pretty to look at and brings pleasure to people in many places as an ornamental tree. But the manna ash can do more: its laxative effect supports in phases where physical relief is sought through better digestion.
Occurrence and cultivation of the manna ash
Manna ash is a light tree species that grows on dry, steep slopes as well as in sunny forests. It thrives particularly well on a calcareous soil. In botany, the Manna ash is known as “Fraxinus ornus Linné”. It grows climatically in southern Europe, south-central Europe and northern Asia. The Manna Ash is a light tree species that grows on dry, steep slopes as well as in sunny forests. It thrives particularly well on a calcareous soil. In Italy, this warmth-loving tree is one of the most common trees. It rarely grows taller than 25 meters and is rarely smaller than ten meters. The size of the manna ash, which is also called ornamental ash, dwarf ash, sky ash, sky brod or flower ash, is reminiscent of a large shrub or small ornamental tree. In Germany, it is therefore deliberately planted in parks and grounds for ornamental purposes. The manna ash blossoms in April in strongly branched, white many-flowered panicles, which smell pleasantly sweet. In this the Manna ash differs from other ash species. The bark of the tree is gray-olive green and smooth. The leaves are imparipinnate, oval and grow to about 15-20 centimeters long; in winter, the manna ash tree sheds its leaves as a deciduous tree.
Effect and application
The importance of manna ash as a medicinal tree is based on the active ingredient mannitol, which is extracted from the trunk and branches of the tree. The bark of the manna ash, which must be at least ten years old at this point, is cut down to the cambium in the process. A sweet sticky white-yellowish sap comes out, which also contains hexavalent alcohol. The smell of the manna syrup is reminiscent of honey. The taste is best described as a sweet and bitter mixture of honey and almonds. In the Sicilian communities of Pollina and Castelbuono, this practice has a long tradition. The juice is known there as “manna cannelata.” In addition to mannitol, the ingredients of manna ash juice are glucose and fructose, the glycoside fraxin, and resin. For further use, the sap is air-dried and then ground into a white powder. The powder obtained is especially known for its laxative effect, which is why it is popularly used as a mild laxative for constipation. Manna syrup boosts digestion in cases of constipation. Taking manna can also prove helpful for problems with hemorrhoids and anal fissures. In Swedish herbal drinks, the substance is a popular additive, because on the one hand, it becomes laxative in its gentle way (although there are already numerous additives for this purpose), and on the other hand, its sweetness makes the drink much milder and more digestible. Due to its sweet taste, the powder, which also has an expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect, is often used in the preparation of cough syrup. In pharmaceutical technology, mannitol is used in the production of tablets, and in microbiology, mannitol or mannitol rhodanide agar is used to grow bacterial cultures. The substance serves as a culture medium for Staphylococcus or Azotobacter.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Manna has such a mild effect that it is even suitable during pregnancy and as a laxative for children. Nevertheless, people who resort to manna syrup with its laxative, diuretic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects should not exceed the recommended daily dose. This is 20-30 grams for adults, and 2-16 grams for children. Whenever a soft stool is desired, manna can be used. The clinical picture of hemorrhoids, anal fissures or after operations in the rectal area would be reasons for taking it to facilitate the process of defecation. The laxative effect is based on the fact that the mannitol is hardly absorbed in the intestine. Water is retained, causing the intestinal contents to increase. This in turn has a stimulating impulse on peristalsis. Manna can therefore be called an “osmotic (water-pulling) laxative”. Manna is also said to have a beneficial effect when it comes to healing intestinal wall protrusions (diverticula).However, long-term intake should be done only after expert advice from a doctor. In addition to oral intake, mannitol can also be prescribed intravenously. This is the case when strong diuresis (urine excretion) is desired as a therapeutic measure. Indications for this would be poisoning and impending kidney failure. Manna also has significance as a sugar substitute for diabetics. Manna sweetness does not cause blood sugar levels to rise, which is why insulin is not secreted for breakdown. Those who have tried sucking a manna candy also know that the substance cleanses the throat and provides fresh breath. There are no known side effects associated with the use of manna. However, very sensitive people may experience flatulence after taking it. However, this occurs very rarely. A physical contraindication to the ingestion of manna is intestinal obstruction. However, this point applies to the consumption of laxatives in general and does not relate specifically to mannitol.
