Mangosteen Description

Mangosteen, also known as xango or Garcinia mangostana, is a tropical fruit native to southeast Asia. Mangosteen is available as a juice or a capsule and is used by alternative medical practitioners for a variety of purposes.

Appearance

• Mangosteen is round and purple with large green leaves at its top. It's about the size of a tangerine. The inside of the mangosteen fruit is white and creamy.

Function

• Mangosteen contains the vitamin-like substances known as antioxidants. Products that contain mangosteen are marketed for the treatment of arthritis, diarrhea, infections, tuberculosis and eczema, according to the American Cancer Society.

Expert Insight

• The American Cancer Society and the Mayo Clinic report that there is not enough clinical evidence to support mangosteen as being effective treatment any type of medical condition.

Risks

• There was one reported case of lactic acidosis, or acidity of the blood, in a patient who used mangosteen daily, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, antioxidant medications may make chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer less effective.

Considerations

• Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, RxList suggest pregnant or nursing women avoid using mangosteen as a dietary supplement.