Health Benefits of Eating Mangosteens

Mangosteen is a small and very-slow growing evergreen tree found in the tropical countries throughout Asia, such as Thailand, India, China, Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma, Vietnam and the Philippines. The tree is also found in Hawaii and tropical Northern Australia. 

The tree grows to a height of 20 to 82 feet and bears leaves measuring 10 inches in length and 1½ to 2 inches in width. The superfruit mangosteen is made up of three parts, namely, the mangosteen pericarp, the pulp and the seeds. Similar to tangerine or mandarin orange, mangosteen has a dark purple/reddish rind and white flesh. It is sometimes called the “Queen of the Fruits” in honor of both its flavor and economic importance. The healthiest portion of mangosteen fruit is its rind. Read through the following lines to know more health and nutrition benefits of eating mangosteen. Also, explore its nutritional value.

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Eating Mangosteens 

• Mangosteen has natural antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-convulsant properties.
• Mangosteen is used in folk medicines for curing various ailments, right from skin disorders to dysentery.
• Mangosteen rind is also highly beneficial for treating health conditions like diarrhea, bladder infections, cystitis, gleet, gonorrhea and skin rashes.
• The rind is sliced and dried and administered to cure dysentery.
• The rind, when steeped in water overnight, is given to adults and children to get rid of chronic diarrhea.
• The infusion of the leaves, combined with unripe banana and a little benzoin, is applied to heal the circumcision wounds.
• It is highly effective in healing damaged cells by free radicals and preventing degenerative diseases and mental deterioration.
• Mangosteen contains xanthones that are beneficial for cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and thrombosis.
• It helps in boosting weak immune systems.
• The leaves and bark of mangosteen are mixed together to make a drink for treating thrush, diarrhea, dysentery and urinary disorders.
• Also, mangosteen extract is very useful in treating arthritis, acid dyspepsia, fibromylagia, moderate asthma, otitis externa and eczema.
• Caution
• Since it contains xanthones, a high dose of mangosteen can cause sedation when combined with other herbs or medication.
• Mangosteen is much likely to interfere with the action of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapies that are used in cancer treatment.
• Due to lack of available scientific evidence, mangosteen is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.