Mangosteen Fruit – The Queen of the Fruits is a Dog

Author: F Fleming B.Sc.Pharm, M.H

Have you observed lately when you flip through a health magazine that there is some new exotic food being solicited as the “New Super Food”? We are continually being inundated with new information and assertions. From all kinds of unheard of fruits to green teas how do we know what items have some valuable medicinal qualities?

I want to discuss a fruit that I’ve recently been introduced to named Mangosteen. Mangosteen fruit has been used since the beginning of the human race in the eastern world and has only recently been revealed in the western world. Introduction of Mangosteen fruit to the western world brought with it the name “Queen of Fruits”

Mangosteen fruit, also known as Xango, originated in Southern Asia. This locale is where Mangosteen fruit is usually grown. The fruit grows on Asian tropical evergreen trees where the climate is relatively warm, does not grow in colder temperatures and grows at a very slow pace. When these trees are approximately ten years old they finally start to produce small purplish fruits which bear no relation to the Mango. In Asia, Mangosteen fruit is regarded as the “Queen of Fruits” owing to its delicate taste and smell

The “Claim to Fame” for Mangosteen fruit comes as a  plentiful source of xanthones. These are phenolic compounds having potent antioxidant properties. Most people don’t realize that most of the xanthones are based in the rind and outer shell, not in the fruit itself. Slick campaigning has promoted this exotic fruit for sale in the form of juices at ridiculous prices. On the internet I found Mangosteen juice being sold at $35.00 for a 750ml bottle. In a health food store I found 1 liter of Mangosteen juice selling at $50.00. Are these prices warranted?

Wikipedia advises that when Mangosteen was examined for nutrient content, antioxidant strength and potential impact for reducing the risk against human disorders it was found that the overall nutrient content was absent of important material.

I am very cautious of any food items arriving from China. There is a recall on infant’s toys because of lead contamination, milk products have been contaminated with melamine which is a known toxin that has poisoned thousands of young people while chickens, being fed melamine, and their eggs are also contaminated.

A recent article in The National Geographic magazine informs us about the Yellow River in China being so highly polluted that the water is not usable. Thousands of people are perishing because of cancer and other terminal illnesses because they use the water taken from the Yellow River. Considering this information I must then ask some questions:

- If Mangosteen fruit arrives from China what are the soil conditions like in the location it is being grown?

- What water sources are feeding these fruits and how seriously are they polluted?

- What toxins are we bringing inside our bodies when we buy these exotic items?

We tend to forget our own superfoods produced right here in our country’s own backyards. Enjoy blueberries, black cherries, concord grape juice, blackberries and cranberries. All of these have been proven to contain excellent antioxidant properties while they diminish the risk against some human diseases. We can get these quality foods certified organic which means we know that no pesticides have been used.

While you can purchase our own homegrown foods, for your loved ones, at a fraction of the price of Mangosteen juice you can also rest easier with the assurance of quality coming from our own certified organic farming. My money and my families good health continues with our own superfoods!

Menopause Destigmatized! Is It A Hormone Problem? At The Core Not Really! Here Is What Is Really Happening And The Simple Solution!

Most of the menopause products are created based on 3 strategiess:

• a single supplement/herb wonder
• a combination of past researched supplements/herbs with an addition of the latest fad herb
• in most cases a newbie manufacturer/distributer copies another company’s product that is selling well

The result is that it is difficult for the consumer to determine what works. So how do you know what works?

Anyone can create testimonials but long-standing, valid, reliable results are very difficult to manufacture. Even the research that is presented is not the full story but rather a spin on the research to move you to buy a particular product. In most cases, the manufacturer may truely believe they have a formula that will work based on misinformation on a herb’s benefits.

The right herbs for menopause will primarily 1) raise the body’s energy, 2) nourish the blood, 3) cool the body and 4) normalize the body’s thermostat. And indirectly, because the underlying imbalance is corrected, the menopause symptoms will begin to dissapate within 2 hours.  

Most discoveries about herbs have come from Chinese herbal medicine but revealed to the American public in an incomplete manner. The American manufacturers share the info about an herb as a solution for everyone who has a particular symptom. Nevermind, all the body of Chinese medicine and theory that understands that there are different body types or constitutions that may accompany those symptoms. Menopause is a hot body type condition requiring specific emphasis on cooling the liver. 

Chinese herbs which have proven to be effective for hundreds of years on millions of patients. Most Chinese master herbalists understand that after millions of subjects there isn’t much need to research what is obvious, tried and proven. Its essential to apply the right formula to the right constitution and symptoms, not just the symptoms. In addition, in order to discern this  relationship between body constitution and herb formulation, it is essential to choose the most knowledgeable practitioner.

A Practicing Master Herbalist Knows More About Herbs Than Any Other Profession?

A seasoned master herbalist (10 years+) who works with herbs every day is the best source for herb medicine. The time element is critical to allow the practitioner to get the kinks out and test his/her knowledge. What is taught in our traditional Chinese herbs and herb medicine schools is only a beginning knowledge and needs to be tested. Better yet, graduates need long term apprenticeship before they are ready to correct imbalances with their clients. Medical doctors rely on their Physician’s Desk Reference for information on herbs which is truely a beginning base source.Rarely does one herb or two , three herb compound work for the whole public. They may work for a quarter of the population or people who have a similar constitution but not everyone. For instance, the Chinese herb, Black Cohosh, has been exposed as unsuitable for menopause. Its used for fevers. Still, American supplement manufacturers have found a way to exploit the misinformation supplied to the public and so the story continues. Not considering that its temporary benefits cease in 2-3 weeks. A better option would be bupleurum combined with other balancing herbs.

In summary, the best choice of herbs for menopause will take into consideration the woman’s constitution or body type when constructing a formula. In addition, herbs that have a track record for hundreds to thousands of years must be regarded as a superior choice over herbs with a minor history. I encourage everyone to seek a seasoned source in herbal medicine. 

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