Mangosteen- What is it?

A mangosteen is a fruit that is grown in hot, humid climates in Southeast Asia. These countries include Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia. It is a very tropical fruit. It can not stand temperatures below 40 degrees F or above 100 degrees F. It can not live in strong winds, salt spray, salt water or saline soil. This tropical fruit is purple, about 2-3 inches in diameter and are unrelated to the mango.

Fresh mangosteens can also be found in North America in Canada and Hawaii, but could not be imported into the United States because they may transport insects into the country. There is one other variety that is known and it is located in the Sulu Islands. The fruit is larger, the rind is thicker, the flesh is more acidic and the flavor is more pronounced. There is also canned mangosteen that is available, but many say it tastes better fresh. On July 23, 2007 the USDA allowed importation of mangosteens from Thailand as long as the irradiation, shipping and packing techniques were to meet special approval.

What are the uses of Mangosteen?

* Food. People eat mangosteen like any other tropical fruit. It can not be peeled, but the hard rind is pressed firmly or twisted until it breaks apart. The flesh is white and looks like a head of garlic. Some say it tastes like a combination of strawberries, peaches and vanilla ice cream with a slightly sour after taste.

* Medicine. In Southeast Asia there was some folk lore that said they used to use the rind to make teas that supposedly cured ailments such as diarrhea, bladder infections and gonorrhea. They also used the rind to make an ointment that was applied to rashes on the skin. The mangosteen rind has been linked to having anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.

* Wood. In Thailand, all non-bearing trees are cut down, so wood is available, but only in small dimensions. It is used to make spear handles, rice pounders and some is used in construction and for making cabinets. * In Ghana, mangosteen twigs are used for chew sticks and in China it is used to tan leather since the rind produces a black dye. Why is Mangosteen so popular?

Mangosteen rind contains alpha-mangostin, beta-mangostin, garcinone B, garcinone E these compounds together are called xanthones. Tests have shown that these xanthones have anti-cancer effects when tested in a laboratory.

There is a product named XanGo (formed from XANthones and ManGOsteen) that was introduced in 2002 which is a mangosteen fruit juice that promotes anti-cancer effects. This product has a high concentrated amount of xanthones. Some are skeptical of this product because there have been no test linking eating or drinking mangosteen extracts having any effect on humans.

The test only proved that some effect had taken place in a laboratory, but until the test is done orally the conclusions are biased. XanGo marketers claim that their juice will help maintain a healthy intestinal system, neutralize free radicals, support cartilage and joint function, and help reduce allergies. Claims like this have made Mangosteen and XanGo very popular. There are tannins in the Mangosteens rind which have also been linked to anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and astringent properties. Tannins can be found in fruit such as cranberries, black tea and green tea. Some say this ingredient is just as powerful as the xanthones.

Are there any side effects to using Mangosteen?

There have been three known side effects to humans with xanthones, which Mangosteens are rich in.

1. Normal blood clotting is affected by using xanthones. There are speculations that the Mangosteen xanthones interact with blood thinning medications and that leads to bleeding.

2. In animals, there have been studies that show bad effects on the central nervous system and cause drowsiness.

3. Although humans have not been tested, xanthones have been known to cause extreme drowsiness when taken with other herbs and medications. At high levels Mangosteen and XanGo may be toxic.

Want to Start Cleansing?

If you are looking to finally start cleansing your body of harmful toxins, and mcuoid plaque, the easiest and most effective way is to try Dr Natura's Colonix Program. As a complete cleansing program, it will help eliminate acne, get rid of candida, relieve constipation, rejuvenate your health, and lose weight. I recommend you learn more about Colonix, or you will regret it later..

The TRUTH About Colon Cleansing	Ever Do A Colon Cleanse?
You must learn the secret about colon cleansing or else you will regret it...	What is known, and what is unknown. Real cleansing photos. You decide.