Herbal Blog

Mangosteen [Scientific name: Garcinia mangostana]

Mangosteen in an exotic fruit with a deep purple color. It has a sweet-sour taste fleshy seeds which we enjoy eating (please don’t swallow the seeds). Malic acid accounts for the sour taste of the fruit. It is known to alleviate gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and stomatitis or mouth ulcers. While we throw away the hard rind of the fruit, it is that part where most of the medicinal properties of fruit are contained. Foremost of the medicinal properties of mangosteen, which is in the rind, is the xanthones. These are polyphenolic phytochemical compounds which have extensive pharmacologic properties beneficial to the heart and blood vessels. These include ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries due to cholesterol), hypertension and thrombosis or blockade of the arteries. Xanthones and its derivatives are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, relax the blood vessels and inhibit platelet aggregation (this helps in preventing a blood vessel blockage). Because of the antioxidant properties of xanthones it is beneficial in the prevention of tumors or cancer. It also helps in promoting apoptosis or cell “’suicide” which checks the development of cancer. The rind was also reported to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

The anti-bacterial properties have been tested on micro-organisms against acne. It was also reported that extracts of the rind inhibits prostaglandins and IgE, indicating that the material can be used as analgesic for dysmennorhea and arthritis and has an antihistaminic or anti-allergic properties. With these properties, rind decoctions can be useful for face wash to control acne. Mangosteen capsules are available commercially.

Some have tried to add pericarp (husk) to fruit juices to add more xanthones and body (thickening)  to the drink. If you will try to do this just pick on the softer part of the rind. You may want to shred it and add to a fruit juice and finally blend.  So next time you eat mangosteen keep the rind (in the refrigerator for a week only) for a fruit juice additive.

Santol [Scientific name: Sandoricum koetjape]

A tropical fruit, santol is one of the favorite fruits of Filipinos. It is high in carbohydrates and contains some iron and calcium, including vitamin B6. An infusion of the fleshy portion of the fruit can be used for diarrhea. The folkloric literature indicates that the medicinal properties of santol are mostly in the bark and roots. Infusion of the bark and roots can be used as topical wash or if pounded, as poultice on wounds or bruises. Infusion of the leaves can also be used for diarrhea and as tonic. A study had reported that the fruit can yield an active substance capable of inhibiting DNA polymerase beta.  DNA polymerase beta is an enzyme that is believed to be linked with the development of cancer.

Since santol is found almost everywhere, get your dose of anti-cancer in santol. Traditionally, you can prepare a santol drink. Before you eat the fleshy portion of the seeds (please do not swallow the seeds), peel the fruit and and finely chop the fleshy portion of the fruit, add honey and water and you have a refreshing santol drink, just like your grandmother used to take. By the way, this is a natural source of vitamin C.