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.
October 31st, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Dear Sir,
i am a 28 year, i have a problem with my health, but unfortunately i dont have enough money to go to the doctor. My problem is regarding odor. i always have cold, my friend said that there is something like bad smell when i inhale or exhale. I already had my dental cleaned but the unwanted bad smell doesnt disappear. when i eat fish or other meat, they can even smell the scent of fish even an hours after meal. on my younger age, i even had a sinusitus, last two when i had a money, i went to hospital for an X-ray and foound out that my sinus is clear.
I would like to what causes the bad smell when i inhale/exhale.. it really had a great bad effect on me. Is there any vege or fruit that can help me? I want to try cleansing diet but i dont know the proper way to do it.
Please Sir, i do need your help cause i dont really enough money for hospitalization..
Thank you in advance for your help. Godbless! & this is a very nice & helpful website.
Regards,
Dina
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You may have sinusitis. Usually, the patient will have to take antibiotics and a decongestant. A way to deal with this, aside from taking medications, is to have a steam inhalation on a regular basis to help liquify your nasal secretions; avoid food or environment which can trigger an allergic condition -those that will likely result in mucus secretions from the nasal cavity. The presence of excessive thick mucus is the one that can lead to sinus infection, and the infection is the source of bad odor. The better you drain your nasal secretions, the less chance of infection, the less would be the odor. Take plenty of fluids to liquify your secretions and at least 2 liters daily of water. Vitamin A, C and B complex can also increase your resistance and reduce your chances of infection. In some cases the cause of odor may come from the stomach. Taking turmeric or luyang dilaw tea daily can help reduce inflammation (anywhere in the body). If you are prone to get rhinitis (running nose or colds) in the morning which disappears at noon then sinus congestion is likely; avoid using cold water to wash your face in the morning. Your sinuses may be ok and still not retaining too much mucus, which could explain the normal x-ray of the sinuses. Ampalaya is a natural antibiotic, so is garlic -but the latter may worsen your nasal odor if fresh garlic is used. -Doc EmilÂ
January 29th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Whether the truth, what garlic is useful to heart and whether the garlick extract in capsules as well as fresh garlic is so effective? WBR LeoP
February 19th, 2007 at 4:32 am
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHAT IS THE BEST HERBAL MEDICINE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. I HAVE ALREADY CONSULT MANY DOCTOR BUT I FEEL THERE IS NO CHANGE IN MY CONDITION.
I HAVE BEEN UNDERGO SEVERAL CHECK UP AND MY DOCTOR SAID MY HEART HAS A SLIGHT PROBLEM. THE LINING OF MY HEART IS THICKER THAN THE NORMAL SIZE. AND MY KIDNEY IS NOT FUNCTIONING 100% EVEN THOU THEY ARE NORMAL.
SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT “GOTO KOLA” IS A GOOD HERBAL MEDICINE FOR HIGH BLOOD. IS IT TRUE?
IS THERE ANY OF YOUR PRODUCT CAN HELP MY CONDITION?
HOPING FOR YOUR RESPONSE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND MORE POWER
March 3rd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Ronald,
High blood pressure can be caused by many factors. General classification is based on how much blood is pumped and the resistance of the blood vessels. You can imagine this by simple analogy of water pumps. The greater the pump the higher the pressure; the narrow the pipes with constant volume, the higher the pressure. The common causes are high cholesterol -leading to blood vessel narrowing, high intake of salt -leading to water retension, renal diseases -leading to water retension and electrolyte imbalance and inability to excrete waste products, heart diseases -which affects the force of blood flow or electrical conduction, diabetes -which commonly cause microarterial arterial narrowing, vascular diseases -which may cause non-reaction of vessels to instances of transient increase in vascular pressure. It is therefore important to do a medical workup and find out what is wrong. After a work up, it may not be possible to determine the cause this is what is called primary hypertension.
So if you several problems involving the heart and kidneys, you need to be under the care of a physician. Nutritional support and herbal medicines can help you like foods with vitamins C, E and B complex – these can come form vegetables, fruits and nuts. Gotu kola can only provide good blood flow and mental alertness. Turmeric or luyang dilaw can help in blood flow and microcirculatory function, also banaba tea for kidney function. You can try food supplements like Ampalaya plus has both banaba and turmeric for these but remember that a good diet must be attained with more of vegetables and fruits as sources of vitamin B complex and C. Fish oil or omega 3 fatty acid is also good for lipid or cholesterol control. Taking bananas, like latundam, can help hypetensives because of potassium which can inhibit body chemicals that constrict vessels. In the study of MONICA or long term study of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, prevention has the greatest effect in the reduction of disease and deaths from cardiovascular illness.
Lastly, garlic has been recommended to reduce blood pressure. Most herbalist do, although, to me it can be used for Grade 1 hypertension (mild hypertension). However, the recent study on garlic on cholesterol did not show any effects in natural or commercial forms. Nevertheless, the value of garlic on preventing blood clots has not been denied and so it is still useful in preventing cardiovascular events such as thrombosis.
-Doc Emil
April 24th, 2007 at 11:09 am
doc emil, could you give me some reference regarding on some books on the wonders of fruits and it’s healthy benefits. since reading some of your column i have been a follower of your blog here on the internet. and i’de like to know more of your healthy tips. more power to you doc, godbless!
————–Â
From Doc Emil
This reference is useful: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Phyllis Balch and James Balch
Others: Professional Guide to Complementary and Alternative Therapies (Kowalak & Mills – editors). National book store has a number of good books too. The guide for Philippine Medicinal Plants is still the book of Quisumbing but we should update our information as publication on individual plants with new information become available.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:38 am
hi dr.
i just to ask on how to cure my pimples. before i went to the dermatologist but still its makes me feel bad on my face. please give some medication with out a derma. please. thanks
nora
From Doc Emil: Pimples are always variably difficult to remedy especially teenagers, it should be case-to-case and specific for your condition. However, you can always try to take turmeric or luyang dilaw, mild astringent such as mint (yerba buena) wash. We have testimonials that taking Ampalaya plus -which contains ampalaya, banaba and luyang dilaw (see: http://www.gonatural.com.ph/ ) have prevented acne and pimples. You can take 1 capsule 3x daily for 1 month or so then reduce to 2x daily when you have improvements on your skin. Turmeric can also remove skin blemishes.
September 9th, 2007 at 1:53 am
hello,
dr. can you please give some instruction on how to use mangosteen as a acne prevention,thanks
nora
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From Doc Emil: Turmeric or “Luyang dilaw” is better for acne prevention than mangosteen. See the blog data on this site for Luyang Dilaw.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:03 am
hello.
Dear Dr., i have a phlyllodes tumor , last aug 19, 2007 i had a breast mass operation, my surgeon said we need to remove the 2 cm margin of my breast tissue. how can i prevent the recurrance of phyllodes tumor in my body? pls help me i need your advice. thanks
joy
September 23rd, 2007 at 2:04 pm
hi doc.
hello dr. can you give some information on how to clean my colon after flushing my galstones, i tried the natural way on how to clean galstone so it so great.than taking lots of drugs. and thanks for that. thank you.
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Eating lots of vegetables and 5 servings of fruits daily will cleanse your colon, plus adequate amounts of water. I would suggest that you also eat food with probiotics (lactobacillus) to improve your digestion and colon health. -Doc Emil
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:51 pm
How can i make the mangosteen covering converted to a medicine syrup or tablet ?
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From Doc Emil: You have to consult an industrial pharmacist.
October 23rd, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Can you suggest the best herbal medicine or a specific fruit for a rheumatic heart deases patient?
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From Doc Emil: First you should understand what rheumatic heart disease has done to the heart and then what the health risk would be when the damage to the heart is already present. The risk is usually bacterial endocarditis, which an infection of the heart structures. The current preventive measure is to have a regular penicillin injection in order to prevent infection. This cannot be avoided, however, much of our resistance to infection can be assisted by wholesome diet, vitamins and lifestyle. There is no single answer to your question, Vitamin C can help strengthen our immune system along with carotenes and all other anti-oxidants but prophylactic penicillin cannot be stopped and is usually given indefinitely. Oral penicillin can help reduce the risk of heart infection.
November 25th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
please let me know or advice that you can give for pain… almost all the pain kileers here in us i annot take cause they give me chest pains like ultram, codeines vicodin and even the most simple ibubrofens here.. the specialist here said i’m one in a hundred of thousands who is very sensitive thaks a lot
December 6th, 2007 at 1:57 am
DR. EMIL,
gOOD MORNING, I’M 51 YRS. OLD, I KNOW I HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. ITS ALMOST TWO YRS. NOIW. I”M EXPERIENCING SEMI ERECTION PROBLEM AND LESS FLUID OUTCOME ON MY ORGAN ( DATI HO TALAGANG GANADO AKO AT FULLFILL AKO KADA MAG SEX KAMI NG PARTNER KO NGAYON NAHIHIYA NA AKO DAHIL HINDI KO SIYA MA SATISFY DAHIL HINDI NA NGA MASYADONG TUMITIGAS AT NAPANSIN KO NA KO KONTING FLUID NALANG ANG LUMULABAS SA ORGAN KO AT PARANG NAIIPIT SA LOOB AT MEDYO MASAKIT PAGDATING SA CLIMAX PARA BANG MAY BARA NA DI KO MAINTIDIHAN.} DOC I NEED YOUR HELP. WILL ENDURANCE CAPSULE FOR MEN WILL IN ANY WAY HELP ME? DO I HAVE TO GO TO A DOCTOR AND IF I HAVE TO GO TO A DOCTOR CAN YOU HANDLE MY PROBLEM OR WILL YOU REFER TO SOMEONE ELSE? THANK YOU AND MORE POWER.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:01 am
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March 2nd, 2008 at 1:03 am
Dear Doc Emil,
I am taking avodart (dutasteride) as prescribed by my doctor (urologist). Ultrasound result showed that my prostate is slightly larger than normal. Avodart is quite expensive at PhP 93 per capsule. I am taking it as a precautionary measure since our family has history of prostate cancer. Is there any herbal substitute for avodart?
Regards,
Arjo
March 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Hi Dok
Just wanted to ask if mangosteen is truly tested for an acne prevention…………and i have a question why is my pimples grow mostly in my nose and forhead…….and i`am using PONDS as my facial cleanser………
April 5th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Hi Dok,
I was diagnosed to have tumor in my lungs 4 years ago, but I didnt feel anything . The doctor suggested na magbiopsy ako. But my mother didnt agree instead she suggested to take herbal medicine. Since then i didnt go back to the doctor but I observed that I gain weight and still didnt feel anything.
Dok, can you pls give me the best herbal medicine for tumor, or best fruits and vegetables to eat to prevent or heal tumor . Thank you so much and God bless.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:13 am
hi doc,
My mother has a rheumatic heart desease…I am badly needed your suggestion or you can give me some herbal plants.
Thanx.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:48 am
good afternoon doc. I just want to inquire about my Bp which is 140/90. i am 23 years old. my blood sugar level is 5.1, cholesterol level is still in normal range. i weigh 98kgs. as of now, i am doing exercise, diet, taking black tea, fruits(calamansi, oranges), eating quaker oats as rice substitute. Is this practice is suitable?
February 16th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Doc,
I would like to ask what philippine herbal plants do you know that helps strengthen the lungs especially those with scars or undergone TB treatment.
More power and thank you very much
Kat
FROM DOC. EMIL:
I would advice on intake of Vitamin A, C and B-complex
May 28th, 2009 at 11:37 am
dr. my namr gurvinder singh (male). i m 26 year old. my sex timing with my wife is very very low near about 1 – 2 mints. i think my wife is no stesfied with sex with me so plz give me advice what can i do. if u tell a medicine. i live in punjab. tell me medicene bhought easily in markeet. thanx
From Dr. Emil You can try tongkat ali which is an asian herb. In India a well known herb is Safed Musli (Chlorophytum Borivilianum) roots and seeds. Safed musli is part of Ayurvedic Medicine.
July 17th, 2009 at 9:01 am
dear sir,
Good day!!! Iam Joel Conchada a pharmacy student from adamson university,
I am conducting our thesis study regarding to the anti- inflamatory properties of the pericarp of magosteen. i just wanna ask, what are the chemicals we need and what is the right procedure in extracting the pericarp of magosteen..
thanks…
hope you can help us in our research…
God bless
January 13th, 2010 at 2:45 am
can you please help us with our research study, we just need local literature about tha effectivenes of mangosteen in lowering blood sugar.. pls..we need help.
From Doc Emil: I do not know any local literature on mangosteen to lower blood sugar. The most that you could read is the book of Dr. Quisumbing on Philippine Medicinal Plants. If you read Dr. Lacanilao’s comments, you would understand the situation on local publications and about the status or problem in medicinal plant research.
September 7th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
doc Emil. i just want to ask how do mangosteene relieve or reduce elevated blood pressure. thx. more power reference DOc emil . thx
March 1st, 2011 at 1:10 am
hi Doc Emil,
My son and I have an allergic rhinitis, we always buy antihistamines. is there a herbal medicine that can cure or lessen our allergies?
thanks a lot and God bless.
Kim
—-Try turmeric tea or luyang dilaw salabat. The Japanese has this kind of special tea but you can prepare this at home by boiling a 1 inch luyang dilaw, crushed and boiled in 1 and 1/2 glass of water. Drink it daily – 1-2 cups/ day and it might reduce your allergic symptoms.
May 29th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
dear sir my parents was currently fad about the wonders of mangosteen…i need to clarify though that they have been taking it thru boiling the leaves of the mangosteen tree and drink it after..i wanna ask if theres a potency of such action?do we get the same benefits from the leaves too just like the fruit itself?there friends told them about it cause it helps lower blood pressure in a helthier way..i hope i can hear from you ssoon atleast such actions would be justified..thank u so much!!