Mangosteen Effects

Also called xango, semetah and amibiasine, mangosteen is a tropical fruit tree native to southeast Asia. The fruit, juice, rind, twig and bark of the mangosteen tree are used in alternative medicine.

Function

• Mangosteen contains tannins that promote digestive health in some patients. The antioxidants found in mangosteen are believed to boost the immune system, according to the American Cancer Society.

Uses

• In herbal medicine, mangosteen is used to treat dysentery, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, oral thrush, tuberculosis, eczema, menstrual problems and bowel cancer.

Features

• Antioxidants have the potential to make radiation and chemotherapy treatments for cancer less effective, reports the American Cancer Society. Talk to your doctor before taking mangosteen while undergoing chemotherapy.

Risks

• Mangosteen poses a slight risk for lactic acidosis, a potentially fatal condition where lactic acid builds up in your bloodstream faster than it can be removed, causing your blood to become too acidic.

Considerations

• Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, avoid taking mangosteen if you are pregnant or nursing, suggests RxList.