Garcinia mangostana /Mangosteen scientifically known as Garcinia mangostana is actually a medium-sized, slow-growing, erect, evergreen, lactiferous tree, belonging to the family Clusiaceae ⁄ Guttiferae, in the genus Garcinia L. Some other popular names of Mangosteen include Purple Mangosteen, King’s-fruit, Mangosteen. It is native to the Malay archipelago in the old world tropics but the exact location is unclear. African mangosteen (Garcinia Livingstone) , Button mangosteen (Garcinia prainiana), Lemon drop mangosteens (Garcinia madruno) are some popular varieties of Mangosteen. Small, deep purple round Mangosteen is in fact a stockroom of numerous health endorsing nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Mangosteen Quick Facts
Name:
Mangosteen
Scientific Name:
Garcinia mangostana
Origin
Native to the Malay archipelago in the old world tropics but the exact location is uncertain.
Colors
Pale green when young changes to pink to maroon to dark purple-black when ripe
Shapes
Deep purple, round-shaped fruits capped with light green calyx at the stem end, 4–7 cm diameter
Flesh colors
snow-white
Taste
Sweet and tangy, juicy, somewhat fibrous, with fluid-filled vesicles
Mangosteen is often revered as “the queen” of tropical fruits, because of its distinctive appearance and flavor. Mangosteen is a good source of nutrients, minerals, vitamins.
Name
Mangosteen
Scientific Name
Garcinia mangostana
Common/English Name
Purple Mangosteen , Mangosteen, King’s-fruit
Name in Other Languages
Japanese : Mangosuchin,Mangoosutin Brazil : Mangostão (Portuguese) Laotian : Kok Mak Mang Kout Slovašcina : Mangostan Indonesia : Manggoita (Aceh), Bagustang, Manggastan Vietnamese : Cây Măng Cụt, Măng Cụt, Trái Măng Cụt Czech : Garcínie Mangostan Thailand : Mang Khút, Mangkhut, Mangkut India : Mangosteen Hannu ( Kannada ), Shulampuli Philippines : Manggis ( Sulu ), Mangostan ( Tagalog) French : Mangostan, Mangostanier, Mangoustan Portuguese : Mangostão Italian : Garcinia, Mangostana (Fruit) Malaysia : Masta, Mesta, Ple Semeta ( Semang ) Chinese : Dao Nian Zi, Mang Ji Shi Russian : Maнгуcтaн Mangustan Dutch : Manggis, Manggistan German : Mangostane (Tree), Mangostin,Mangostanbaum Sri Lanka : Mangoos, Maengus ( Sinhala ) Danish : Mangostan Korean : Mang Ko Seu T’in Spanish : Mangostán (Tree), Mangustán (Fruit)
Description
Mangosteen is actually an exotic, small round-shaped fruit that is Sweet, tangy, and juicy. Because of its exceptional appearance and taste, mangosteen is often admired as “the queen” of tropical fruits.
History and origin
The exact location is uncertain, but Mangosteen is native to the Malay archipelago in the old world tropics. It was found growing wild in south Trengganu and Ulu Kemaman in Malaya and in the Sunda Islands and Moluccas (Maluku) in Indonesia. The tree was first domesticated in Thailand or Burma. It is now grown extensively in southeast Asia but during the last three centuries, it was introduced to India, Sri Lanka, the New World tropics, Northern Australia, and to the Pacific islands.
Plant Growth Habit
Medium-sized, erect, slow-growing, evergreen, lactiferous tree
Growing Climate
Thrives in warm to hot, wet, and humid tropics along with a uniform temperature and a short dry season.
Soil
Deep, fertile, friable soil, rich in organic matter.
Plant Size
Reaching about 30-60 feet (9-18 m) tall
Bark
New bark is bright green and smooth, becoming dark brown and rough with age
Branch
Nearly horizontal
Leaf
Leaves are elliptical, opposite, slightly glossy above, yellowish-green and dull beneath, 3 1/2 to 10 in (9-25 cm) long, 1 3/4 to 4 in (4.5-10 cm) wide
Flower
Dioecious, unisexual, solitary, or in pairs at the branch apex, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter, with 4 pinkish-white petals and 4 persistent sepals.
Fruit shape & size
Deep purple, round-shaped fruits capped with light green calyx at the stem end, 4–7 cm diameter
Fruit color
Pale green when young turn to pink to maroon to dark purple-black when ripe
Flesh color
snow-white
Fruit peel
Smooth, somewhat leathery skin
Flavor/aroma
The slightly sweet and sour flavor
Fruit Taste
Juicy, tangy, and Sweet somewhat fibrous, along with fluid-filled vesicles
Seed
1 to 5 completely developed seeds, ovoid-oblong, slightly flattened, 1 in (2.5 cm) long and 5/8 in (1.6 cm) wide, inedible, and bitter in taste
Rind
The unpalatable, dark reddish-purple colored tough rind is about 1/4 to 3/8 in (6-10 mm) thick
Varieties/Types
Cherapu or Button mangosteen (Garcinia prainiana), African mangosteen or Imbe (Garcinia livingstonei), Lemon drop mangosteens (Garcinia madruno)
Season
At low altitudes from May to July
At higher elevations, July and August or August and September
Fruit hulls of G. mangostana are used for curing skin infections and wounds and for the relief of diarrhea in Thai folk medicine.
Mangosteen fruit hull is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of dysentery, abdominal pain, suppuration, wound infections, diarrhea, and chronic ulcer by people in Southeast Asia.
Dried and sliced rind has been used medicinally as an astringent, or in a decoction administered for dysentery in Malaysia.
Infusion of the leaves with unripe bananas and a dash of benzoin are used in wounds after circumcision and to other wounds.
For irregular menstruation a decoction of the root is drunk.
To allay thirst in fever ripe fruits are suggested.
For diarrhea and dysentery, rind is used as an astringent medicine.
An ointment is made from rind and is applied on eczema and other skin disorders.
A bark extract called “amibiasine”, has been used for the treatment of amoebic dysentery.
Precautions
People with irritable bowel syndrome can experience diarrhea as soon as consuming mangosteen juice.
People hypersensitive to particular kinds of fruit can experience various kinds of allergy symptoms after eating and enjoying mangosteen juice.
Pregnant women, infants as well as patients who are suffering from cancer as well as particular other serious kinds of health conditions must not ingest Mangosteen juice.
How to Eat
Dessert: Mangosteen arils are consumed fresh as table fruit or dessert.
Halwa manggis: By boiling the arils of unripe fruits with sugar, Malays make a conserve called halwa manggis.
Preserve: Preserve is made by boiling the segments in brown sugar, and the seeds may be included to enrich the flavor in Philippines.
Kolak: The aril is also used to make delicacies like kolak , jenang or dodol, and lempog.
Purplish jelly: Since rind is rich in pectin so it is treated with 6% sodium chloride to remove astringency, after that rind is made into a purplish jelly.
Seeds are occasionally eaten alone after boiling or roasting.
In Indonesia, the fruit is eaten ripe and unripe.
Other Facts
The bark is used for tanning leather in China.
For blackening teeth, a wood tar prepared from the stem is used.
The wood is dark-brown, heavy, almost sinks in water, and is temperately durable.
It has been used in making handles for spears handles, also rice pounders, and is employed in construction and cabinetwork.
Twigs are used as chew sticks in Ghana.
Mangosteen Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Garcinia mangostana
Rank
Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom
Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom
Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Superdivision
Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass
Dilleniidae
Order
Theales
Family
Clusiaceae/Guttiferae (Mangosteen family)
Genus
Garcinia L. (Saptree)
Species
Garcinia mangostana L. (Mangosteen)
Synonyms
Mangostana garcinia Gaertn.
Plant:
Mangosteen is in fact a medium-sized; erect, evergreen, slow-growing, lactiferous tree-sized about 30-60 feet (9-18 m) tall. It is mainly found growing in warm to hot, wet, and humid tropics with a uniform temperature and a short dry season. Similarly, it prefers deep, fertile, friable soil, rich in organic matter. It has bright green and smooth bark when young, turning to dark brown and rough with age and nearly horizontal branches. Leaves are usually elliptical, opposite; slightly glossy above, yellowish-green and dull beneath, 3 1/2 to 10 in (9-25 cm) long and 1 3/4 to 4 in (4.5-10 cm) wide. Flowers are unisexual, dioecious, solitary, or in pairs at the branch apex, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter, with 4 pinkish-white petals and 4 persistent sepals.
Fruits:
Mangosteen is an exotic, round, purple color fruit capped with light green calyx at the stem end, 4–7 cm in diameter. Fruit is normally pale green when young and changes to pink to maroon to dark purple-black as soon as they are ripe. The fruit has smooth, somewhat leathery skin, which encloses slightly sweet and sour flavored snow-white mangosteen. Fruits generally ripen from May to July at low altitudes and July and August or August and September in higher elevations. It has 1 to 5 fully developed seeds which is ovoid-oblong, slightly flattened, 1 in (2.5 cm) long, and 5/8 in (1.6 cm) wide, unpalatable, and bitter in taste. It has sweet and tangy, juicy, somewhat fibrous, with fluid-filled vesicles, which make it ideal for many delicacies and desserts. This particular fruit is very popular because of its juicy, snow-white, tasty arils all over the Asian countries, and throughout the world.
History:
The exact location of origin is uncertain, yet it is native to the Malay archipelago in the old world tropics. It has been recorded to find wild in south Trengganu and Ulu Kemaman in Malaya and in the Sunda Islands and Moluccas (Maluku) in Indonesia. Thailand or Burma is the country where trees have been first domesticated. It is now grown widely in Southeast Asia but during the last three centuries, it has been introduced to Sri Lanka, India, the New World tropics, Northern Australia as well as the Pacific islands.
Nutritional Value:
Apart from their sweet and tangy, juicy taste mangosteen is a good source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Consuming 100 grams of mangosteen supplies, 17.91 g of Carbohydrate, 31 µg of Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic acid), 0.069 mg of Copper, Cu, 1.8 g of Total Dietary Fiber, 0.054 mg of Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), 0.102 mg of Manganese, Mn, 0.054 mg of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and 0.3 mg of Iron, Fe.
Nutritional value of Mangosteen
Serving Size: 1 Cup (100 g)
Calories 73 Kcal.Calories from Fat 5.22 Kcal.
Proximity
Amount
% DV
Water
80.94 g
Energy
73 Kcal
Energy
305 kJ
Protein
0.41 g
0.82%
Total Fat (lipid)
0.58 g
1.66%
Ash
0.16 g
Carbohydrate
17.91 g
13.78%
Total dietary Fiber
1.8 g
4.74%
Minerals
Amount
% DV
Copper, Cu
0.069 mg
7.67%
Manganese, Mn
0.102 mg
4.43%
Iron, Fe
0.3 mg
3.75%
Magnesium, Mg
13 mg
3.10%
Zinc, Zn
0.21 mg
1.91%
Calcium, Ca
12 mg
1.20%
Phosphorus, P
8 mg
1.14%
Potassium, K
48 mg
1.02%
Sodium, Na
7 mg
0.47%
Vitamins
Amount
% DV
Vitamin B9 (Folate, Folic acid)
31 µg
7.75%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
0.054 mg
4.50%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
0.054 mg
4.15%
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
2.9 mg
3.22%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
0.286 mg
1.79%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
0.018 mg
1.38%
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
0.032 mg
0.64%
Vitamin A
2 µg
0.29%
Beta Carotene
16 µg
alpha Carotene
1 µg
Beta Cryptoxanthin
9 µg
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: USDA
Health Benefits of Mangosteen
1. Anti-inflammatory properties
Mangosteen juice has anti-inflammatory properties which prove to be valuable in avoiding the development of heart disease as well as diabetes in obese patients. Research describes how the juice of the exotic ‘superfruit’ lowered levels of C-reactive protein.
Inflammation, as measured by CRP, is a forecaster of cardiovascular disease and a precursor of metabolic syndrome. Decreasing inflammation in overweight people is a treatment goal, and a natural cure may be better than other treatments which might carry the risk of side effects.(1)
2. Proper Growth
Copper is one of the important minerals which is required for the proper growth and development of the entire body. Therefore it is very important to include Copper rich food in our regular diet to gain the required mineral for the body. Mangosteen consists of a huge amount of Copper 0.069 mg which is 7.67% of the daily recommended value. Consuming Mangosteen on a regular basis is beneficial in the protection from cardiovascular, nervous, and skeletal systems. Growth and development of the organs and tissues, proper oxygenation from an ample red blood cell concentration are almost impossible if you suffer from a Copper deficiency. Several birth and growth defects in kids have been noticed in different countries because of Copper deficiency. Having enough mangosteen in your daily diet helps proper growth and development of the entire body.
3. Cancer
Cancer is one of the most hazardous diseases which are taking the life of many people around the world. Most of us are trying to reduce the occurrence of cancer in the human body. For reducing Cancer cells we need to consume Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid-rich foods on a regular basis. A single cup serving of Mangosteen contains 100 g Vitamin B9 which is 7.75% of the daily recommended intake. Besides that, the mangosteen fruit contains xanthones which exhibit anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial effects. The xanthones inhibit the cell growth in human colon cancer and as per a research study, they exhibit the potential to be developed as agents to prevent cancer or can be used in combination with anti-cancer drugs for beneficial effects. (2),(3)
4. Healthy skin
Mangosteen fruit helps us in maintaining healthy skin. The anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy anti-fungal, and anti-oxidant features help in decreasing the risk of various conditions like skin inflammation, bacterial infections, eczema, allergies, and skin aging. Several research studies have been carried out to determine the health benefits of mangosteen for the skin and research suggests that mangosteen has got anti-skin cancer properties and has the perspective of being an anti-skin cancer agent.(4),(5)
5. Promotes a healthier bowel function
Dietary fiber found in Mangosteen is often admired for proper digestive health. Consuming Mangosteen can bulk up the stool and encourage peristaltic motion that helps with the regularity of bowel movements. Mangosteen consists of a moderate amount of dietary fiber 1.8 g which is 4.74% of the daily recommended value. The main function of dietary fiber is to increase the weight of stools and soften it. The stool is passed through the intestinal tract very easily, therefore, reducing the need for stressed bowel movements. This process will help to maintain proper bowel health and avoid constipation. Additionally, insoluble fiber will decrease the transit time of food waste through the intestinal tract, which decreases the contact of harmful substances in food waste with the intestinal wall. If you are suffering from constipation, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, or other stomach disorders, the dietary fiber of Mangosteen can ease that inflammation and improve the health of your gut.
6. Proper Cardiac Function
Vitamin B1 is a vital human nutrient that belongs to the Vitamin B complex. It plays an important role in sustaining a healthy nervous system and improving the cardiovascular functioning of the body. Vitamin B1 produces neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is utilized to convey messages between the nerves and muscles and to confirm proper cardiac function. Mangosteen includes 0.054 mg which is 4.50% of the daily recommended value. Irregular Cardiac function is the main problem that takes place due to Vitamin B1 deficiency. When Vitamin B1 is given to people suffering from congestive heart failure for about seven days, demonstrated significant improvements in their echocardiograms, which directly prove that vitamin B1 can prevent heart disease. Therefore we must include mangosteen in our daily diet to avoid all these heart associated problems. Research shows Mangosteen may also be helpful in reducing the risk of stroke or myocardial infarction which indicates the cardioprotective effect of mangosteen on antioxidant tissue defense system and lipid peroxidation during the stroke.(6)
7. Alleviating PMS syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is one of the unavoidable and true facts that many ladies suffer from. Manganese helps to ease the headaches, mood swings, irritability, and depression to a considerable degree which are common problems during these monthly periods. Different research has concluded that low level of minerals like manganese is the main cause of severe PMS symptoms, therefore manganese supplementation is recommended. Including Mangosteen in your normal diet will definitely help to ease many uncomfortable PMS symptoms.
How to Eat
Dessert: Mangosteen arils are consumed fresh as table fruit or dessert.
Halwa Manggis: By boiling the arils of unripe fruits with sugar, Malays make a conservation called halwa manggis.
Preserve: Preserve is made by boiling the segments in brown sugar, and the seeds may be included to enrich the flavor in the Philippines.
Kolak: The aril is also used to make delicacies like kolak, jenang or dodol, and lempog.
Purplish jelly: Since rind is rich in pectin so it is treated with 6% sodium chloride to remove astringency, after that rind is made into a purplish jelly.
Seeds are occasionally eaten alone after boiling or roasting.
In Indonesia, the fruit is eaten ripe and unripe.
Other Traditional uses and benefits of Mangosteen
For healing skin infections and wounds and for the relief of diarrhea, fruit hulls of G. mangostana are used in Thai folk medicine.
Dysentery, abdominal pain, diarrhea, wound infections, suppuration, and chronic ulcer are treated with the use of the Mangosteen fruit hull by the people of Southeast Asia.
Dried and sliced rind is used medicinally as an astringent, or in a decoction administered for dysentery in Malaysia.
Infusion of the leaves with unripe bananas and a dash of benzoin is applied to wounds after circumcision and to other wounds.
For irregular menstruation, a decoction of the root is drunk.
To calm thirst in fever ripe fruits are suggested.
Bark and young leaves are used in dysentery, diarrhea, and affections of the genito-urinary tracts, and also as a wash for aphthae of the mouth in India.
An ointment made from the rind is applied to eczema and other skin disorders.
A bark extract called “amebiasis”, is used for the treatment of amoebic dysentery.
Other Facts
The bark is used for tanning leather in China.
For blackening teeth, wood tar prepared from the stem is used.
The wood is dark-brown, heavy, nearly sinks in water, and is reasonably durable.
It is used to make handles for spears handles, also rice pounders, and is also employed in construction as well as cabinetwork.
Twigs are used as chew sticks in Ghana.
Precautions
Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome can experience diarrhea whenever consuming mangosteen juice.
People who are hypersensitive to particular kinds of fruit can experience numerous kinds of allergy symptoms right after eating and enjoying mangosteen juice.
Pregnant women, infants as well as patients who are suffering from cancer as well as particular other serious kinds of health conditions should not drink Mangosteen juice
