Mangosteen, Manggis

Garcinia mangostana

Physical Characteristics

Garcinia mangostana is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant is not wind tolerant.

Distribution

E. Asia - Malaysia.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Seed Edible Uses: Condiment Fruit - raw. The white fruit is delicious[296 ]. The fruit is aromatic, juicy, with a texture so soft it almost melts in the mouth and a sweet, delicate flavour[301 ]. About the size of an apple, the skin can be removed to reveal about 6 kernels of white pulp with a flavour that is tart and sweet, like a cross between grapes and strawberries. The fruit is a globose berry 34 - 75mm in diameter[303 ]. The best table fruits are those with the highest number of stigma lobes at the apex, for these have the highest number of fleshy segments and the fewest seeds[303 ]. Seed - occasionally eaten after boiling or roasting[301 ]. They add a delicious nutty flavour to preserves when cooked with the pulp[301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antidermatosic Antidiarrhoeal Antifungal Astringent Dysentery Eczema Febrifuge Skin Urinary The rind is astringent and has been used internally to treat dysentery, diarrhoea, cystitis and gonorrhoea. It is applied externally to treat eczema and other skin disorders[303 ]. The rind of partially ripe fruits yields a polyhydroxy-xanthone derivative termed mangostin. That of fully ripe fruits contains the xanthones, gartanin, 8-disoxygartanin, and normangostin. A derivative of mangostin, mangostin-e, 6-di-O-glucoside, is a central nervous system depressant and causes a rise in blood pressure[303 ] A decoction of the leaves and bark is used as an astringent, febrifuge and to treat thrush, diarrhoea, dysentery and urinary disorders[303 , 345 ]. A bark extract called 'amibiasine', has been marketed for the treatment of amoebic dysentery[303 ] An infusion of the leaves, combined with unripe banana and a little benzoin, is applied to the circumcision wound[303 ]. A root decoction is taken to regulate menstruation[303 ].

Known Hazards

None known