Mangoosteen

Introduction

Mangosteen is the name referred to the evergreen mangosteen tree and the mangosteen fruit. The tree is slow growing (6-24 meters high) and is indigenous to Southeast Asia. The mangosteen fruit is round in shape, dark-purple, 2 to 3 inches in diameter and contains 4 to 8 segments of snow-white, delicious soft flesh. The fruit may or may not contain seeds. Encasing the flesh is a purple skin 6 to 10 cm thick.

Because of its taste and medicinal properties, the mangosteen is often called "The Queen of Fruits". For centuries, the mangosteen has been honored and cherished by the peoples of Southeast Asia.

Latin Names— Garcinia mangostana L.


What It Is Used For

The strong anti-oxidant properties of the mangosteen fruit fights free radicals in the body. This helps strengthen the immune system, promote joint and cartilage function, helps support a strong respiratory system and helps maintain good health.

The other benefit of mangosteen :

• Anti-tumor & anti cancer
  
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Prevents & treats infections
• For treatment of diarrhoea, cystitis, eczema, gleet and gonorrhoea.
• Anti-proliferative activity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line.
• Anti-micro bacterial activity
  
• Inhibitory activity against histamine release
  

How It Is Used

• A decoction of the rind (boil in water) is cure for gonorrhoea, cystitis, diarrhoea and gleet
• A decoction of the whole fruit, bark and leaves of the mangosteen tree can also be used
• Eat the flesh of the mangosteen fruit for overall good health
• Dried and powdered mangosteen rind (skin) is given to cure dysentery. The powder can be made into a cream and applied to skin to treat eczema and other skin disorder
  

What the Science Says

Recent studies shows that the rind (skin) has anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-tumor properties. Initial results also reveals that mangosteen have anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory medicinal properties. The active therapeutic compound found in mangosteen is called "Xanthones".

Xanthones provides many times more anti-oxidants than Vitamin C & E. Xanthones have been receiving much attention lately from researchers and scientist for its medicinal value. It appears to benefit every organ of the body. The whole mangosteen fruit is the single, best source of Xanthones.

Dr. Kenneth J. Finsand has this to say : "This is probably the most famous use of all the qualities found in the mangosten : it is by far the most powerful anti-inflammatory I have ever seen in 30 years of practise. Research has proven this to be true, along with folk medicine history."

Dr. Frederic Templeman tells us that the anti-inflammatory properties of mangosteen have been compared in strength to one of the most potent anti-inflammatory prescription drugs, Dexamethasone. In his words, "this drug knocks the socks off Vioxx in terms of potency." The following excerpt taken from the audio "The Miracle Mangosteen."

Side Effects and Cautions

Toxicity studies were done in the laboratory with rats, using the human equivalent of 3 liters of mangosteen juice per day, with no adverse behavioral or tissue effects noted. Also, there are no historical records of a ny folk medicine warnings after centuries of medicinal use of the plant in Southeast Asia. It is always recommended that you consult your physician. If you have have a known medical condition or allergy before using any food supplement. Mangosteen is safe for use by children and adults under almost any condition.