BENEFITS OF EATING SEAWEED

Seaweed is a plant that is found growing naturally in salt water and it is considered to be a valuable nutritional vegetable. According to The European Food Information Council or EUFIC, there are thousands of varieties of seaweed and seaweed is often used in sushi rolls, nori wraps, raw salads, soups and in dried form. Adding seaweed to your diet will provide you with another healthy food alternative.

LOW SALT

Seaweed can be added to a low salt diet, but still provide you with some of the high salt flavor. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, seaweed is a food that is naturally high in umai, which when eaten triggers the L-glutamate receptors and can add significant flavor to foods without adding salt. 

The American Heart Association recommends that people eat a diet low in salt, no more than 1,500 mg per day, because too much salt can induce high blood pressure. Therefore, seaweed is a possible low salt option that still contains a significant amount of flavor.

Menopausal Symptoms

The George Mateljan Foundation reports that the consumption of seaweed can have a positive effect on menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes; seaweed contains a very weak estrogen that when eat can provide a women's body with enough estrogen to reduce the discomfort of menopause.

Seaweed is a healthy vegetable; therefore, it presents with little risk for women going through menopause to try, as a way to reduce the negative symptoms.

Low Calories

Seaweed contains very low amounts of calories and can be used as a healthy alternative to high calorie snacks such as chips, notes Mark Brittman of the New York Times. Seaweed can easily be lightly baked in the oven in chip size pieces to provide you with a low calorie snack, reports Brittman of the New York Times.

Eating low calorie foods can help you maintain a healthy weight or lose weight, because to lose weight you have to consume less calories than you burn throughout the day.

Fiber Dense

Seaweed offers fiber benefits similar to other fruits and vegetables. According to EUFIC, 8g of seaweed contains about the same amount of fiber as a banana and it helps you feel full longer, which promotes weight control.

Fiber is an important aspect of a healthy diet and seaweed can provide you with another fiber rich food option.

Vitamin and Mineral Rich

Seaweed contains a variety of healthy vitamins minerals. The George Mateljan Foundation reports that seaweed is rich in iodine, vitamin K, B-vitamin, magnesium, iron and calcium. Also, seaweed contains vitamin B12, which is generally not found in any other vegetables and can be helpful to include in vegetarian and vegan diets, notes the EUFIC. Vitamin B12 is a valuable nutrient and must be included in every diet to ward of fatigue and B12 deficiency.

Eating a variety of vitamins and minerals is recommended for a healthy diet. Therefore, including seaweed into your diet will increase the variety you consume and provide you with a nutrient rich food.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SEAWEED?

Edible seaweed, sometimes known as "sea vegetable," is a low calorie food rich in nutrients. Many cultures have consumed seaweed as a part of their diet, but many Westerners were first introduced to it via sushi -- thin sheets of the seaweed known as nori are used to wrap sushi rolls. Seaweed can also be used in salads and soup. In fact, the Japanese stock base known as dashi depends on the flavor of the seaweed kombu.

TYPES OF SEAWEED

Several types of seaweed are commonly consumed, roughly classifiable into brown algae and red algae. Brown algae include kombu, wakame, hijiki and arame. Red algae includes dulse, agar-agar and nori.

Mineral Content

Seaweed is rich in many minerals including calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium and zinc. Of special note is the high concentrations of iodine and iron found in seaweed. Iodine helps regulate thyroid activity. Iron is essential to help carry oxygen in the bloodstream to where it's needed in the body.

Anti-Cancer Evidence

A diet rich in seaweed may help prevent cancer, particularly breast cancer and colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there is preliminary clinical evidence that certain compounds found in seaweed may slow the growth of cancer cells or kill them off entirely.

Fucoidans

Brown algaes are particularly rich in compounds known as fucoidans. Research is continuing into the health benefits of these chemicals; however, preliminary studies show that fucoidans hold promise as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents, in reducing blood pressure and promoting heart health and as antiviral immune system support.

Rumpai Laut Kering Sabah

Khasiat- khasiat rumpai laut

Khasiat rumpai laut bakar atau kering adalah sama seperti khasiat yang terdapat pada rumpai laut segar yang kaya dengan vitamin dan mineral 

seperti besi, magnesium dan karbonat. Perbezaan antara jenis ini adalah

 apabila rumpai laut itu dikeringkan atau dibakar, bakteria pada rumpai 

laut sebagai makanan telah dibunuh dan dimusnahkan.

Ekstrak rumpai laut dikatakan tinggi kandungan mineral dan kaya 

dengan sumber iodine, zink, besi, kalium, tembaga, magnesium dan 

kalsium. Ðikatakan dengan menambah rumpai kaut dalam masakan 

mampu meningkatkan jumlah serat dalam makanan yang telah dimasak.

Buang toksin dan bahan radikal bebas

Kajian telah menunjukkan bahawa ekstrak rumpai laut dikatakan mampu mengurangkan gejala-gejala osteoarthritis kira-kira sebanyak 15%. Pesakit yang mengambil ekstrak rumpai laut selama tiga bulan telah mengalami kemajuan dalam pergerakan dan pengurangan rasa sakit.

Rumpai laut bantu turunkan tahap kolesterol

Ekstrak rumpai laut juga amat baik untuk jantung kerana ia didakwa merendahkan kolesterol dan juga memperbaiki pengedaran darah. 

Ðikatakan juga menggantikan garam dengan rumpai laut yangtelah 

dikisar halus dalam makanan amat baik untuk mereka yang mengalami tekanan darah tinggi.

Mencegah kanser

Pertumbuhan dan penyebaran kanser dalam tubuh juga mampu dicegah

 jika ekstrak rumpai laut dijadikan sebagai makan seharian.

Meningkatkan metabolisme

Ekstrak rumpai laut dikatakan juga mengandungi alginate, bahan aktif 

tidak ada rasa dan tidak berbau yang dikatakan mampu meningkatkan metabolisme, sekali gus meminimumkan peningkatan berat badan yang berkaitan dengan makanan berlemak dan berkalori.

Alginate dalam ekstrak rumpai laut juga dikatakan mengikat bahan

 radioaktif dan logam berat, dan juga membebaskan radikal bebas dan

 toksin lain dalam tubuh. Bahan-bahan ini kemudiannya keluar daripada

 tubuh apabila ia dibuang daripada sistem tubuh.

Merangsang sistem pertahanan badan

Ekstrak laut juga dikatakan mampu merangsang sistem imun dan membantu tubuh menentang jangkitan virus seperti herpes. Ia juga amat baik untuk mengurangkan masalah kulit seperti ekzeme dan psoriasis.

Rumpai laut juga dikatakan mengandungi seanol, antioksidan kuat yang

 lebih berkuasa daripada apa yang terdapat dalam tumbuhan di darat. Antioksidan ini dikatakan mampu merangsang tenaga dan kesedaran

 mental.

Lignan yang ditemui dalam rumpai laut juga dikatakan mampu bertindak sebagai estrogen lemak dan bersama-sama dengan magnesium ia mampu mengembalikan semula corak tidur dan mengurangkan ‘hot flushes’ yang berlaku pada wanita menopaus.

* Jika boleh elakkan minum kopi, nescafe; minuman yang tinggi kandungan kafein sebab semua tu boleh menyerap dan buang vitamin C, kolagen dan gluthathione (agen pencerah) dalam badan kita..

* Ambil bersama vitamin C untuk kesan yang maksimum & lebih cepat! banyakkan minum air kosong..

Mangosteen Health Benefits

When you first hear about how Mangosteen benefits people on a variety of health conditions, you may be shocked by the number of health-enhancing properties this exotic fruit provides.  Doing your own research on this amazing fruit for the health benefits it may provide your family and friends is time truly well spent.  As you take a closer look at Mangosteen, you'll find solid scientific evidence behind the fruit's many healing properties.

Medical Practitioners Tout the Benefits of Mangosteen

Experienced health professionals - who understand why it helps their patients and how it heals their bodies - have written extensively about the health benefits of the Mangosteen fruit.

Some of these health practitioners, who have experienced the benefits of this fruit in their own lives and in their patients', have these to say:

"Mangosteen provides powerful support for every organ system in the human body. This fact is being confirmed on a daily basis by clinical experience... I am convinced that Mangosteen will, without a doubt, be the most successful food supplement ever."
- J. Frederic Templeman, M.D., a primary care physician for more than 20 years and board certified in both the United States and Canada.(1)

"Mangosteen... is able to reverse most of the ailments of modern man."
- Kenneth J. Finsand, M.D., a practicing chiropractic physician for nearly 30 years who specialized in functional medicine throughout his medical career.(2)

"Mangosteen provides huge health benefits for every organ in our bodies."- Sam Walters, N.M.D., a family practitioner trained as a specialist in both traditional and natural medicine, with more than 30 years of comprehensive practical experience in the medical profession, and formulated nutritional products for companies and institutions including the NASA Space Center for the austronauts.(3)

Why does Your Health Benefit from Mangosteen?

What makes Garcinia Mangostana L. so versatile in addressing so many health issues and in promoting health in so many ways?

Mangosteen contains more than 40 biologically-active, natural chemical compounds called Xanthones. While all these Xanthones have similar molecular structures, each one has its own unique chemical composition that permits it to perform a specific function.

Alpha-mangostin, for example, is a very potent antioxidant. Gamma-mangostin is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Garcinone E is a strong anti-tumor agent.

These and the other Xanthones found in the Mangosteen provide a virtual medicine chest of natural healing compounds that address a wide variety of health issues.

Mangosteen's Many Uses

Medical professionals have become very good at treating diseases, but we know they don't have all the answers.

There also are times when they have used a drug or treatment that later was found to have done more harm than good, or that have done enough damage which far outweighed the benefits the drug or treatment provided. Drugs like Vioxx, Celebrex and Phen-fen are a few that come to mind.

Here's a simple question: Why use drugs --- with their harmful and sometimes fatal side-effects --- when fruits can do the job?

Natural remedies provide health benefits without the harmful side-effects of drugs.

But some who hear or read about the many health benefits of Mangosteen for the first time may be inclined to say that it's just too many and too good to be true for one exotic fruit to be able to provide them all.

Modern Science Agrees With Traditional Asian Healing

Centuries of Mangosteen use has helped Southeast Asians maintain or regain their health and cure their diseases. Traditional Asian healers use the fruit to stop infection, treat inflammation, and increase one's energy, among others.

Modern scientists and a growing number of health practitioners now agree on the medical benefits of Mangosteen. They have found that the fruit is helpful in preventing and possibly even stopping a wide range of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer and other chronic diseases.

Those who have taken the time to do their own research on the validity of each health benefit of Mangosteen will find that there is real and solid science behind the "Queen of Fruits", so-called because of Queen Victoria's reported preferrence for this exotic fruit centuries ago.

Xanthones in Mangosteen

Our immune system tries to keep trillions of cells in our bodies protected from disease-causing toxins, free radicals, viruses, bacteria, fungi and other harmful agents.

At times, though, our immune system gets overwhelmed. Our bodies get sick, often because of free radical damage.

A free radical is an unstable atom with an unpaired electron. When a free radical comes in contact with a stable atom, it steals the electron it needs from the stable atom. This leaves the once stable atom irreparably damaged and prone to succumb to disease.

Antioxidants counteract free radicals. They have an extra electron that they can share with free radicals. Because of this ability, they are able to prevent free radicals from attacking healthy atoms or cells.

Mangosteen contains powerful antioxidants and immune system boosters called Xanthones, natural chemical compounds which were proven to possess a variety of potent medicinal properties.

Xanthones occupy a special place in the Mangosteen's arsenal of healing compounds. They have been shown to have more potent antioxidant activity than vitamin E, one of nature's most powerful known antioxidants.

A laboratory test known as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), for example, showed that an ounce of Mangosteen juice provides 20 to 30 times more capacity to absorb free radicals than an ounce of most fruits and vegetables.

Mangosteen’s Other Natural Compounds

Mangosteen also contains other potent natural compounds like catechins, polysaccharides, quinones, stilbenes and polyphenols.

Catechins were discovered to be five times more potent as antioxidants than vitamin C.

Polysaccharides are highly potent anti-cancer and anti-bacterial plant compounds. They help block a mutated cell's ability to stick to healthy cells to help stop the spread of cancer, and are specially effective against intracellular bacteria.

Quinones are known for their anti-bacterial properties and also are strong oxidants.

Stilbenes in plants defend these plants against fungi. Interestingly, stilbenes also maintain their anti-fungal properties even when ingested. They also are strong antioxidants.

Polyphenols were found to be far more more potent as antioxidants than vitamin E, considered one of the most powerful known antioxidants.

Long List of Mangosteen Healing Properties

To sum it all up, here's a partial list of the 200-plus, mind-boggling Mangosteen medicinal benefits and properties from the catalog of prominent ethnobotanist, Dr. James Duke.

• Anti-aging - helps prevent aging
• Anti-allergenic - helps prevent allergic reactions
• Anti-arthritic – helps prevent arthritis
• Anti-atherosclerotic - helps prevent the hardening of the arteries
• Antibiotic - prevents or modulates bacterial infections
• Anti-calculitic - helps prevent kidney stones
• Anti-cataract - helps prevent cataracts
• Antidepressant – helps with depression
• Anti-diarrheal – helps with diarrhea
• Anti-fatigue - helps relieve fatigue
• Antifungal - prevents or modulates fungal infections
• Anti-glaucomic - helps prevent glaucoma
• Anti-Inflammatory – helps with inflammation
• Anti-lipidemic - helps lower blood fat
• Anti-neuralgic - helps in nerve pain
• Anti-obesity - helps in weight loss
• Anti-osteoporosis - helps prevent the loss of bone mass
• Antioxidant-rich – rich in antioxidants
• Anti-oxolytic - anti-anxiety
• Anti-Parkinson – helps with Parkinson's disease
• Anti-periodontic - helps prevent gum disease
• Antipyretic - helps lower fever
• Anti-tumor and cancer-preventive
• Anti-vertigo - helps prevent dizziness
• Antiviral - prevents or modulates viral infections
• Cardio-protective - helps in the protection of the heart
• Hypoglycemic - helps stabilize blood sugar
• Hypotensive - helps lower blood pressure
• Immunostimulant – helps the immune system fight infection

This exotic fruit, used in traditional medicine for centuries, contains some of the most potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal compounds in nature.

Independent scientific research studies and clinical experience all show the remarkable health benefits of Mangosteen.

THE BENEFITS OF TAKING MANGOSTEEN

Native to Southeast Asia, mangosteen plants are used in traditional herbal medicine for the properties in their fruits. Mangosteen fruits are sometimes used for treating infections, healing wounds and relieving diarrhea. No conclusive scientific evidence supports mangosteen's use in treating any medical condition, so talk with your physician before taking mangosteen.

Relieves Inflammation

Mangosteen may have anti-inflammatory effects that could potentially help in treating arthritis and healing wounds. The fruit hulls of mangosteen contain xanthones, compounds that may provide the anti-inflammatory actions, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A 2002 test tube study published in the journal "Biochemical Pharmacology" found that xanthone derivatives of mangosteen helped to inhibit certain chemical synthesis in cells that causes inflammation. Although studies have found these anti-inflammatory effects in test tubes and animals, no human clinical trials have been conducted to prove that mangosteen or its constituents can help to relieve inflammation, the Mayo Clinic says.

Fight Bacteria

Mangosteen may have antibacterial effects that can help to fight certain diseases. A laboratory study conducted in Japan and published in a 2003 edition of the "Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin" found that the xanthones contained in mangosteen had antibacterial actions, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. This study also found that mangosteen's xanthones inhibited tuberculosis bacterium in vitro. Despite mangosteen's possible antibacterial actions, a study that used the herbal remedy in a mouthwash preparation found that mangosteen failed to fight the oral bacteria that cause the gum disease gingivitis, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Published in 2007 in the "Journal of International Academic Periodontology" looked at the mangosteen mouthwash's effects on bad breath, dental plaque and gum bleeding. Because all supporting medical evidence of mangosteen's antibacterial effects are highly preliminary, you shouldn't use mangosteen as an antibacterial treatment without first talking with a healthcare professional.

Treats Infections

In addition to its antibacterial actions, mangosteen has also shown some effects in treating viruses. These actions may indicate mangosteen's potential use in fighting infection. A test tube study published in 1997 in the "Journal of Natural Products" found that xanthones had antifungal activities, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Mangosteen's infection-fighting potential hasn't been studied in humans, however, so consult your doctor before taking mangosteen products for this use.

21 Hottest Secrets for Asia Mangosteen Fruit

One of the newest, hottest topics in health food supplements today is mangosteen! 

The whole fruit of a mangosteen contains its primary nutrient compound, xanthones: naturally occurring, high-potency antioxidants found primarily in the peel/hull of the fruit. 

Mangosteen has been revered for centuries as Asia's "Queen of Fruits". Of course, you do not need to take our word for it, as here is the list of "The Top 21 Secrets"



1. BOOST YOUR ENERGY 

Mangosteen's ability to fight fatigue is one of its most sought-after benefits. Mangosteen predictably and reliably provides a safe boost of energy. 

2. REDUCE AND PREVENT PAIN ASWELL AS FIGHT INFLAMMATION 

Chronic inflammation can lead to Type II diabetes, cancer, arthritis, alzheimer's disease, heart disease and other deadly diseases. Xanthones in mangosteen naturally fight inflammation at the cellular level by inhibiting COX 2 enzymes. Mangosteen's pain-relieving benefits are helping people all over the world. 

3. LOSE WEIGHT 

In our fat-laden world; our cell membranes are quickly becoming hard and impermeable. The xanthones in mangosteen act to make our cells soft and permeable and able to quickly convert the food we eat into energy. This makes us feel better and helps us lose weight at the same time.

4. PREVENT HEART DISEASE 

Heart disease and arteriosclerosis occur when the elasticity of vessels surrounding the heart is lost. Mangosteen helps to fortify this system of vessels through its antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. When these vessels are healthy and strong, the risk of heart disease decreases.

5. FIGHT HARMFUL FREE RADICALS

Mangosteen contains catechins, which have been proven to be multiple times more effective against free radicals than the antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E.

6. REDUCE HYPERTENSION

Hypertension (elevated blood pressure) is one of the leading causes of arteriosclerosis. Dangerous plaques form and narrow the passageways of the arteries, increasing the risk for heart attack or stroke. Mangosteen has proven effective, especially in those with normal body weight, to lower blood pressure and prevent the onset of pulmonary hypertension.

7. IMPROVE DIGESTION AND YOUR STOMACH CONDITION

One of the effects of aging is the natural decline in stomach acid. This leads to increased bacteria in the stomach and causes diarrhea, cramping, gas, and malabsorption of nutrients. The rind of the mangosteen is mostly made up of fiber. Fiber pushes waste through the colon more rapidly, preventing constipation and possibly colon cancer. Fiber can also keep cholesterol in check by removing harmful bile acids.

8. IMPROVE THE URINARY TRACT

Incontinence for women is caused by the natural decline of muscle tone in the pelvis. This decline in muscle tone reduces the bladder's ability to completely empty itself. As men age, the prostate naturally enlarges, which narrows the urethra and causes some urine to remain in the bladder after urination. Men and women with this condition often experience infection because of retained bacteria in urine not eliminated. The xanthones in mangosteen have a proven, natural antibacterial effect, so dependence upon antibiotics can be eliminated.

9. HELP MOUTH SORES AND HELP BAD BREATH

Mangosteen can heal painful mouth sores in as little as 24 hours! Its astringent power and anti-microbial bacteria-killing effects work immediately to help promote a healthy mouth and gums.

10. EASE ASTHMA 

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. Mangosteen is an ideal alternative to undesirable asthma medication because of its ability to fight infection, inhibit inflammation, and reduce allergic triggers...naturally!

11. FIGHT AND PREVENT DIABETES 

Chronic inflammation is one of the leading causes of Type II diabetes. Because mangosteen is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, it may help prevent Type II diabetes. With the ability to lower and regulate blood sugar, decrease appetite, improve energy levels, and decrease the need for hypoglycemic medications.

12. IMPROVE MENTAL AWARENESS 

Oxidative damage to the brain is a significant cause of dementia, alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other central nervous system diseases. Because mangosteen is one of the best antioxidants, it is effective in preventing

mental degeneration. Plus, mangosteen has been shown to improve mental acuity.

13. FIGHT AND PREVENT CANCER 

Mangosteen is being researched non-stop for its possible prevention of cancer. Research has shown that extracts from the mangosteen fruit inhibit the growth of human leukemia cells and also inhibit the rapid growth of cells that trigger breast cancer, liver cancer, and other gastric and lung cancer cells.

14. FIGHT AND PREVENT ALLERGIES

Mangosteen is highly sought after for its natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effects. As a bonus, it is MUCH more pleasant to use than allergy medications, and doesn't cause undesirable drowsiness.

15. FIGHT INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Scientists have exposed growing bacteria to solutions of mangosteen and have found that mangosteen actually stopped the bacteria from growing. As a result, mangosteen is being hailed "queen of the anti-microbials" for its natural ability to kill bacteria.

16. FIGHT AND PREVENT DEPRESSION 

One of the best benefits of mangosteen is its ability to give the user a feeling of well being thus avoiding depression. Plus, tryptophan -- an essential amino acid -- is enhanced by taking daily doses of mangosteen. Tryptophan is directly related to serotonin, which is responsible for sleep, moods, and appetite.

17. IMPROVE YOUR SKIN 

Skin disorders such as eczema, dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, and rashes are commonly treated with steroids and anti-fungal creams. Applied topically, mangosteen has proven to fight these skin conditions naturally and without harmful drugs or side effects.

18. HELP EYE PROBLEMS

Cataracts and glaucoma are the result of radiation damage to the lens proteins in the eye. These conditions can be prevented by avoiding sun exposure and by supplementation with effective antioxidants such as those contained in mangosteen.

19. LOWER CHOLESTEROL

When low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) is oxidized in the blood stream and arteries, fibrous plaques form. Studies have shown that xanthones reduce the oxidation of LDL, which prevents the plaques from forming.

20. HELP PREVENT KIDNEY STONES

Kidney stones are common, particularly in men. When men first use mangosteen, many will urinate frequently during the following 24 hours. This diuretic effect is helpful with prevention or passing of kidney stones.

21. PREVENT OR SHORTEN VIRAL INFECTIONS

Mangosteen has shown a remarkable ability -- when taken in high doses at the onset of a viral infection -- to speed up the body's processes and heal viral infections more quickly. When taken as a daily supplement, mangosteen has also proven effective in preventing viral infections altogether.

The Mangosteen

The mangosteen fruit is smooth, round, dark-purple to red-purple on the outside and purplish-white on the inside. The inside is broken up among 4 to 8 triangular segments of snow-white, juicy, soft flesh. The fruit may be seedless or have 1 to 5 fully developed seeds. Instead of peeling it like an orange, a mangosteen is typically opened by pressing firmly or twisting the outside until it breaks apart. The hard rind can be nearly one inch thick.

The fruit was probably first domesticated in Thailand or Burma. Currently it is heavily cultivated in Thailand, Southern Vietnam and Burma, throughout Malaya and Singapore. The tree has been unable to grow successfully in Hawaii, California and Florida due to unfavorable soils and temperatures and its need for large quantities of rainfall.

Mangosteens are usually eaten fresh as dessert though the fleshy segments are sometimes canned. Apparently they lose their delicate flavor in canning, especially if pasteurized. Sometimes jams are made and the seeds can be eaten as well. The rind is rich in pectin and can also be made into a jelly. In the United States (except for Hawaii) they have been difficult to find fresh due to import concerns and so are mostly consumed as part of a variety of different beverages.

In Asia, medicinal uses of the mangosteen abound. The sliced and dried rind is powdered and administered to overcome dysentery, diarrhea, cystitis, gonorrhea and gleet. . Made into an ointment, it is applied on eczema and other skin disorders. Filipinos employ a decoction of the leaves and bark as a febrifuge and to treat thrush, diarrhea, dysentery and urinary disorders. In Malaya, an infusion of the leaves, combined with unripe banana and a little benzoin is applied to the wound of circumcision. A root decoction is taken to regulate menstruation. A bark extract called "amibiasine", has been marketed for the treatment of amoebic dysentery.

What makes mangosteen a 'superfruit'? The rind has been found to contain the compounds alpha-mangostin, beta-mangostin, garcinone B, and garcinone E, which are collectively called xanthones. Laboratoy studies suggest xanthones have anti-cancer effects when they are studied in test tubes. Mangosteen has also been found to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties in test tube studies. What happens in test tube studies may not necessarily happen when the fruit is ingested orally. In addition, some of the properties attributed to the xanthone content may actually be obtained from compounds called tannins in the rind. All plants contain tannins. Studies of xanthones are in the very early stages and no real conclusions regarding health benefits have been established.

The fruit of the mangosteen is the most flavorful part however, it is the rind that contains the xanthones and other valuable phytochemicals. Therefore, to gain full value from this fruit, you need to be drinking juice products that contiain a whole food puree. In this case the color will be purple.

An interesting side note about the mangosteen is that it is commonly known as "The Queen of fruits" in parts of southeast Asia, notably Singapore and Malaysia. It is believed to have "cooling" properties that counteract the "heatiness" of durians, the so-called "King of fruits". The fruiting season of these two fruits coincides.

photo source: http://ww2.mymandura.com/images/mangosteen-large2.png