Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) 

It is also known as mangostanier, mangoustanier, mangouste, mangostier (French), mangostan (Spanish), manggis, mesetor, semetah, sementah (Malaysian), manggustan, mangis, mangostan (Philippine), mongkhut (Cambodian), mangkhut (Thai), cay mang cut (Vietnamese), manggis, manggistan (Dutch), and mangostao, mangosta, or mangusta (Portuguese) 

B. Morphological / distribution/ habitat info 

Morphology

The tree is a slow-growing evergreen with a pyramidal crown in its younger stage. It can grow up to about 25 m tall under favourable tropical conditions. The fruit has a thick reddish-purple (when ripe) rind (exocarp) and inside white segmented flesh (endocarp) surrounding seeds. Leaves are glossy, leathery, and the tree often grows under a canopy or in humid conditions. (Bi et al., 2023) 

Distribution

native to Southeast Asia, particularly the Maluku area, Borneo, the Sunda Islands, and the Malay Peninsula. The fruit was introduced to Brazil more than a century ago, but significant cultivation didn't begin until the 1980s. Today, it is grown in the Brazilian states of São Paulo, Bahia, Espírito Santo, and Pará (Carvalho, 2014). Although fruiting outside of its ideal environment is difficult, it has been introduced and grown in various tropical locations (such as Sri Lanka, portions of India, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Florida). 

Habitat Info

Mangosteen grows naturally in the humid, tropical lowland rainforest conditions, where it prefers well-drained soils with high organic matter content. It also needs consistent moisture. The tree is not tolerant to extended dry conditions (Issarakraisila & Settapakdee, 2008) 

C. Traditional Uses / TK-related info 

Use in Southeast Asia 

• Diarrhea and Dysentery (Kulczyński et al., 2015) 

The mangosteen rind has long been used as a treatment for digestive issues, including dysentery and persistent diarrhea. To help control bowel movements and reduce intestinal irritation, decoctions made from the dried rind are added to herbal teas and other beverages. 

• Skin Infection and Wounds (Kalick et al., 2023) 

Mangosteen rind paste or extract is used in traditional Thai and Malay medicine to treat open wounds, lesions, and infected skin. The antifungal and antibacterial properties help prevent infections and promote skin repair. 

• Inflammatory Processes  (Kalick et al., 2023) 

It helps in managing swelling and pain associated with infections or internal inflammation. The fruit rind contains a bioactive compound for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. 

• Urinary Disorders 

Mangosteen preparations are also used to support urinary tract health, including the management of mild urinary tract infections and discomfort. Decoctions of the bark and fruit pericarp are believed to reduce inflammation and cleanse the urinary system.

D. Any related scientific studies, such as ecology/ conservation status/threats/diversity 

• Mangosteen exhibits low genetic diversity

Mangosteen is described as an obligate apomictic species, producing seeds that are genetically identical to those of the female parent. This condition causes low genetic diversity in the mangosteen (Sobir et al., 2013). 

• Various Morphology 

Have variability in characteristics such as tree shape, fruit, and petal colour (Sobir et al., 2013).

• IUCN status

Least Concern