Mangosteen from western coastal India is exciting researchers with its reported medicinal properties.
Known as kokum in western India, the fruit was the subject of a national seminar held last week in Goa by the Western Ghat Kokum Foundation.
Pharmaceutical entrepreneur turned grower Ajit Shirodkar is a driving force behind the research which has found that hydroxy citric acid extracted from the fruit rind has fat-reducing properties. Other medicinal properties are reportedly keeping the body cool, purifying blood and fighting cholesterol.
A paper presented at the Goa seminar also claimed hat the fruit is effective as a digestive tonic and in paralysis.
Some 35 different species flourish in India - of which 17 are endemic - as it is a crop that requires little attention and is naturally very resistant to pest and disease.
No comments yet