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Mangosteen is a super fruit that contains a rich nutrient base along with the potential impact for lowering risk against various diseases. Long used in Southeast Asia for its health benefits, the tropical fruit is native to areas of Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It is similar in size to a tangerine or mandarin orange, with a dark purple/reddish rind and white flesh. Like other tropical fruits, it is multi-segmented. The taste of the fruit is sweet, similar to a plum. Uses in folk medicine of the mangosteen include cures from skin disorders to dysentery. The rind of mangosteen is used for several health conditions including diarrhea, bladder infections, gonorrhea and skin rashes. It is thought to have cooling properties, or yin. Because the rind of mangosteen contains various compounds, it is considered to be an antioxidant. In laboratory studies, mangosteen contains xanthones, which when studied in test tubes have anti-cancer effects. Other health benefits may include anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties in test tube studies. However, there is no proof that these xanthones have the same effect when taken orally as when tested in a laboratory setting. The benefits of mangosteen fruit have been known in southeast Asia for over 400 years. As early as 1855, a German scientist identified mangosteen, a powerful antioxidant, known as a xanthone, which appeared to fight infection, fungus, bacteria, histamines and possibly cancer. 210 xanthones have been identified in nature, and over 40 of those have been found in the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit. Mangosteen contains essential vitamins and minerals such as: Antioxidant Polyphenols, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorous, Polysaccharides, Potassium, Stilbenes, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. Mangosteen can be found commercially in many forms, such as, capsules, tea, and most commonly, juice. Mangosteen juice is often blended with other fruit juices to maximize its value as a dietary food supplement. Independent scientific studies show the following health benefits of Mangosteen: 1. Anti-fatigue (energy booster) 2. Powerful anti-inflammatory (prevents inflammation) 3. Analgesic (prevents pain) 4. Anti-ulcer (stomach,mouth and bowel ulcers) 5. Anti-depressant (low to moderate) 6. Anxyolytic (anti-anxiety effect) 7. Anti-Alzheimerian (helps prevent dementia) 8. Anti-tumor and cancer prevention (multiple categories cited)... shown to be capable of killing cancer cells. 9. Immunomodulator (multiple categories cited) - helps the immune system 10. Anti-aging 11. Anti-oxidant 12. Anti-viral 13. Anti-biotic (modulates bacterial infections) 14. Anti-fungal (prevents fungal infections) 15. Anti-seborrheaic (prevents skin disorders) 16. Anti-lipidemic (blood fat lowering, LDL) 17. Anti-atherosclerotic (prevents hardening of arteries) 18. Cardioprotective (protects the heart) 19. Hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) 20. Hypoglycemic (anti-diabetic effect, helps lower blood sugar) 21. Anti-obesity (helps with weight loss) 22. Anti-arthritic (prevention of arthritis) 23. Anti-osteoporosis (helps prevent the loss of bone mass)24. Anti-periodontic (prevents gum disease) 25. Anti-allergenic (prevents allergic reaction) 26. Anti-calculitic (prevents kidney stones) 27. Anti-pyretic (fever lowering) 28. Anti-Parkinson 29. Anti-diarrheal 30. Anti-neuralgic (reduces nerve pain) 31. Anti-vertigo (prevents dizziness) 32. Anti-glaucomic (prevents glaucoma) 33. Anti-cataract (prevents cataracts) 34. Pansystemic - has a synergistic effect on the whole body
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