This is one of the reasons why mangosteen fruit is so expensive to buy in America as most of it has to be imported from countries that can sustain natural growth for these trees, more so countries like Thailand and Indonesia. One other reason why mangosteen fruit is so expensive is because it is one of the hardest fruits on Earth to grow. Basically for a tree to spout their flowers, all conditions must be perfect. Many locals of Thailand believe that growing mangosteen is more of an art that anything and take their jobs very seriously. Mangosteen trees like the soil to be wet but not too wet, they hate the cold, salty air and high elevations. Also the soil they prefer is not sandy or silty. Most trees grow in Rainforests where the conditions are absolutely perfect and you may notice them growing like wildflower in the depths of the rainforests in South East Asia.

One other thing that most people don’t know about is that it takes ten years before a tree is able to produce any mangosteen fruit. The fruits are normally 1 to 3 inches long and colored purple. The top of the fruit has a small blossom where the fruit was picked from and you will also notice that it is made up into 4 to 8 triangular segments.

Mangosteen fruits have two parts: the white center fruit, and the purple outer hull. The white center fruit is divided into segments, and there is one segment for each triangle in the blossom remnant. The white part of the fruit is prized for its flavor. Some people feel that it is the most delicious fruit in the world.

The outer rind of the mangosteen fruit is thick and purple. It contains bitter latex, and the purple juice is a permanent dye. This outer rind is also the richest source of healthful xanthones in the world. Mangosteen fruit has over 40 different xanthones.

Where Can I Get a Mangosteen Fruit?

Because mangosteen fruit is so expensive, it makes it hard to find especially if you live in a region of the world where it is not readily available. The fruit must be picked at a certain time and generally does not stay very long so you are going to have to make sure the fruit you pick isn’t off already.

You can get mangosteen from any supermarket provided they stock it, which is many cases they don’t. Most people choose to purchase the juice off the internet because it is cheaper and easier to find.

Phytochemicals stimulate the production of protective self-repairing cells in plants. They also produce the same kinds of responses in humans. For example, they release protective enzymes that inhibit cancer-producing substances, thus reducing our susceptibility to disease. It makes sense for us to harness the powers of plants in our diets. Four sources of phytonutrients that cannot be ignored if we want to remain healthy and cancer free are berries, cruciferous and dark, leafy vegetables, soy and red wine.

Berries, such as blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries offer the highest sources of phytonutrients. They all produce a natural substance called ellagic acid which has been shown to be a good defense against carcinogens because they suppress tumor development. Blueberries have the highest antioxidant content. High in flavonoids, they also provide powerful protection against prostate cancer.

Two and a half cups of fresh strawberries a day can supply enough vitamin C to help restore sperm production in men. Cranberries have been known to prevent cystisis, a painful and often recurring urinary tract infection in women. A study involving 72 postmenopausal women found that 10 ounces of cranberry juice every day reduced the likelihood of bladder infection by 58%. Cranberries have also been shown to reduce stomach ulcers and lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower) and dark leafy vegetables (like swiss chard, spinach) also have high levels of antioxidant phytonutrients. In a study conducted by New York’s Strang-Cornell Cancer Research Laboratory, women who consumed a diet high in cruciferous vegetables experienced a dramatic drop in estrogen levels, which means that these vegetable are definitely powerful tools for fighting against breast cancer. The assumption is that the phytochemicals in these vegetables deactivate potent estrogens, thus preventing estrogen-sensitive cells, particularly in the breast , from developing tumors.

Sulforaphane, another phytochemical in cruciferous vegetables, triggers a self-defense system in the body that acts to detoxify carcinogens. Spinach contains four times more beta carotene than broccoli and is a good source of vitamins C and E. It also has high levels of photosynthetic proteins which convert sunlight into energy. Researchers at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology are harnessing the power of spinach in a new direction–creating highly cost-effective solar panels.

Soy is another phytonutrient rich food. Soy products contain genestein, which has been shown to have strong anti-cancer properties. It contains as well phytoestrogen, which has been shown to reduce the risk and spread of prostate cancer. Researchers suggest that the phytonutrient isoflavones, like phytoestrogen, may reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Another isoflavone compound in soy called daidzein has also been found to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in women. A study conducted at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles has uncovered evidence that this estrogen-like compound is the main reason for soy’s healthy effects. Women with low estrogen levels seemed to have benefited most from daidzein, which reduced LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels, leading researchers to recommend that women include soy food products as part of their cardiovascular risk reduction strategies.

And last but not least is the phytonutrient, resveratrol, found in red wine, that literally makes wine drinking a cancer-fighting measure. Resveratrol is present in the leaves, twigs and bark of the grape vines. And red wine, which is fermented from grape skins, seeds and twigs tends to have large quantities of these cancer-fighting substances.

Resveratrol has also been demonstrated to be a potent antioxidant (more potent than vitamin C alone) which can act synergistically with vitamin C, thus enhancing the effects of each. It also prevents the formation of blood clots and promotes the formation of new dendrites in the brain.

Let us put all these phytonutrients to good use. Why not sit down to a hearty soy burger, broccoli spears and cauliflower salad, warm berry compote and a glass of red wine? Yummy! Life cannot be better!

A background on inflammation:

The onset of inflammations like arthritis, acne and rosacea constricts the blood vessels as the tissues become inflamed. This results to a less blood supply going to the cells in the area of inflammation.

Less Blood Supply Lesser Cell Functioning

Cells need ample amounts of blood for it to function properly. Lesser blood supply deteriorates the cell’s performance until it becomes almost useless. Since it does not function normally anymore, our body treats it as a threat and attacks them. Our body mobilizes antibodies to get rid of these malfunctioning cells.

Our Antibodies

Our antibodies attacks threats by encapsulating them and produces free radicals to kill the invaders. Free radicals can cause a chain reaction and eventually kill the cells inside the encapsulation. The term for this is respiratory or oxidative burst. That is how our body kills invaders, by generating free radicals.

This process can cause some free radicals escaping the encapsulation and could trigger free radical chain reactions to healthy cells. These free radical chain reactions can lead to oxidative damage to healthy cells

Therefore the cell’s functions in inflamed tissues deteriorates which then triggers our own antibodies to attack them leading to exposure of free radicals to nearby healthy cells. The more the tissues are inflamed the more our cells are exposed to free radicals which could result to cell damage caused by oxidative stress.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants can neutralize or quench these free radicals escaping the encapsulation. Our bodies are equipped with its own antioxidants to neutralize free radicals but may become depleted as the demand rises.

The need for extra antioxidants become apparent. Chamomile is a source for antioxidants to protect the cells from oxidative damage and subdue the inflammation with its anti-inflammatory properties.

Chamomile can be taken internally or externally.

Dried leaves of chamomile can be used as an herbal tea. Drinking this tea can introduce the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile inside your body. It is also commercially available and packed in tea bags.

Other Health Benefits of Chamomile – to name just a few.

-As an herbal home remedy for rosacea and acne.

-treatment for diarrhea, indigestion, irritable bowel movement, ulcers

-treatment for anxiety, insomnia

-treatment for eye irritations and conjunctivitis

-helps in healing wounds

As you can see, chamomile has many other medicinal uses. It may be good to consider chamomile as a part of an anti-inflammatory diet but it is not advised for pregnant or breast feeding women. People allergic to ragweed are also not advised to use chamomile. If you are taking other medication, please consult a health professional before embarking on a chamomile diet.