Did you know "Mangosteen peel" that many people throw away actually possesses numerous medicinal properties? Here are five benefits of mangosteen peel, including acne reduction, wound healing, and health care, as traditionally used in Thai folk medicine.
Mangosteen is famously known as the "Queen of Fruits" due to its sweet and fragrant taste. But did you know that the part often discarded as waste, "mangosteen peel" actually conceals immense medicinal value and health benefits?
Mangosteen peel contains several important compounds, especially those in the xanthone group, such as mangostin, which has outstanding antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial growth-inhibiting properties. It also contains tannins with astringent effects that aid wound healing.
Extracts from mangosteen peel have antibacterial properties against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a main cause of acne. Additionally, mangostin has anti-inflammatory effects that effectively reduce redness and swelling of inflamed acne. Nowadays, this extract is commonly used in acne treatment products and cosmeceuticals.
Due to the astringent tannins, mangosteen peel promotes contraction of skin cells and speeds wound healing. Traditionally, dried peel was ground with lime water to apply on blisters, ulcers, or infected wounds. This property has been recognized and developed into modern topical creams or gels.
This is a classic benefit of mangosteen peel in traditional Thai medicine. Boiling dried peel in water can alleviate non-severe infectious diarrhea by reducing intestinal contractions and water loss thanks to tannins.
Xanthones in mangosteen peel are potent antioxidants, much stronger than vitamins E and C. They protect body cells from damage caused by free radicals, which lead to cell deterioration, premature wrinkles, and chronic diseases.
Its antibacterial and antifungal abilities have led to the use of mangosteen peel in body cleansers like soaps and deodorants, reducing bacteria that cause unpleasant odors and preventing fungal skin diseases such as athlete's foot.
Mangosteen peel is not just fruit waste but a valuable herb long used by Thai people, benefiting skin health from acne treatment to wound healing and antioxidant effects. However, when using mangosteen peel for medical purposes, it is important to learn proper cleaning and preparation methods or choose standardized extracts for safety and optimal health results.