Using mangosteen juice for pain is not well documented. However, its apparent anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties make it a strong candidate for pain relief. I personally had a dramatic experience with mangosteen juice.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit popularly eaten in Southeast Asia.
Its rind is a traditional medicine, used for “infections, wounds, inflammation, and diarrhea,” according to a 2013 review article in the journal Nutrients1, and “as an anti-inflammatory drug in Southeast Asia,” according to a 2008 article in Food and Chemical Toxicology2. It has been described as a “natural antihistamine.”
The rind contains phytochemicals in a family known as xanthones. Experiments have shown that humans do absorb xanthones from mangosteen juice.
Although research with humans is very limited, studies with laboratory animals have shown anti-inflammatory pain reduction. Mangosteen xanthones are also being investigated for anti-cancer properties.
When the juice is used to fight pain, then, both the fruit and the rind should be juiced.
Action Steps
My information is about unadulterated 100% mangosteen juice that includes juice from both the fruit and the rind. It is very sweet and pleasant-tasting.
Mangosteen juice blends (which are not 100% mangosteen juice) are so diluted that I suspect that they are unlikely to be helpful.
Similarly, I don’t have any information about dried mangosteen supplements.
Genesis Today
The Genesis Today brand of mangosteen juice, no longer available, was made from the whole fruit including the rind. According to the manufacturer, it was “100% pure, undiluted, unadulterated wild harvested” and contained “no fillers, sweeteners, artificial colors, flavorings, preservatives.”
Amount to take
The Genesis Today recommendations:
- 1 fluid ounce on an empty stomach in the morning and afternoon, or as directed
How long to see results?
I don’t have any information on the length of time needed to see results.
Using the amount in the Genesis Today recommendations, I might suggest 30 days before deciding whether to continue for a longer period. The length of time for a longer trial probably should be at least a year.
My experience using mangosteen juice for pain
I took 1 oz. a day for some time without clear results. Then I had a surprising experience.
I had hurt my lower back rather sharply, and from previous experience knew it would take many days of rest to improve.
After a few days, by happenstance, I felt thirsty and very fed up with everything. Instead of drinking one ounce of mangosteen according to the recommendations, I poured a six ounce glass and drank it.
Within half an hour, my back pain was significantly improved–and that pain relief was permanent. I have never had such rapid pain relief from any other food.
Since then, I decided to reserve it for acute pain–so I have not had the experience of a longer trial.
Mangosteen References
Articles
What Are Mangosteens Good For?
Food Facts
Medical Journal Articles
Every link leads to free full text, except as noted. In some cases, to get to the full text, you’ll need to find and click an additional PDF or full text link .
PMID is the ID number in the free PubMed medical literature index. PMCID is the ID number in the free PubMed Central full-text archive.
Xanthones from Mangosteen Extracts as Natural Chemopreventive Agents: Potential Anticancer Drugs
T. Shan, Q. Ma, K. Guo, J. Liu, W. Li, F. Wang, E. Wu
Current Molecular Medicine 2011 December 1;11(8):666-677
PMID: 21902651
PMCID: PMC3237908
Anti-inflammatory Activity of Mangostins from Garcinia mangostana
L.G. Chen, L.L. Yang, C.C. Wang
Food and Chemical Toxicology 2008 Feb;46(2):688-93
PMID: 18029076
(Abstract only is free.)
Medicinal Properties of Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)
J. Pedraza-Chaverri, N. Cardenas-Rodriguez, M. Orozco-Ibarra, J.M. Perez-Rojas
Food and Chemical Toxicology 2008 Oct;46(10):3227-39
PMID: 18725264
(Abstract only is free.)
Xanthones from Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana): Multi-Targeting Pharmacological Properties
Sarawut Jindarat
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 2014 Feb; 97 (Suppl.2):S196-S201
PMID: 25518194
Biological Activities and Bioavailability of Mangosteen Xanthones: A Critical Review of the Current Evidence
Fabiola Gutierrez-Orozco and Mark L. Failla
Nutrients 2013, 5, 3163-3183
PMID: 23945675
PMC3775248
New Medicinal Properties of Mangostins: Analgesic Activity and Pharmacological Characterization of Active Ingredients from the Fruit Hull of Garcinia mangostana L.
J. Cui, W. Hu, Z. Cai, Y. Liu, S. Li, W. Tao, H. Xiang
Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 2010 Apr;95(2):166-72
PMID: 20064550
(Abstract only is free.)