Mangosteen (also known as mangostin and guttiferae garcinia mangostana L) is the fruit of the mangosteen tree. The tree is quite slow in growth but can achieve heights of anything from 20 to 80 feet. It is typically thick-leaved and grows exclusively in tropical countries with climate such as in India, the East Indies, Thailand and the Philippines.
It requires a considerable amount of moisture to thrive. The leaves are of leathery texture and can grow to a length of ten inches or more.
It is believed to have originated from the Sunda Islands and is most extensively cultivated in Thailand, Kampuchea, Burma and Singapore.
There have been repeated attempts to cultivate it in places like Queensland and Africa, but these have never been very successful. The mangosteen tree was first introduced in America in 1906, when the United States Department of Agriculture received seeds from Java. Attempts to cultivate it in California, Florida and even Hawaii were not very "fruitful", since the tree refuses to acclimatize itself.
Essentially, the mangosteen tree is very partial to tropical climates with temperatures above 40? F and below 100? F.
It requires extremely high atmospheric humidity to thrive and a steady, abundant supply of ground water. Such conditions are hard to replicate in any non-tropical country.
A curious fact about its seeds is that they do not require fertilization in the accepted sense of the word ? rather, they germinate entirely on their own. In fact, they could be termed integrated embryos in their own right. They sprout within a period of 20 days and the process is usually complete within 40 to 43 days of germination.
Cultivation is most successful when the seeds are planted at the beginning of the tropical rainy season, with a minimum spacing of 30 feet between individual trees..
Food Supplement Has Healthy Sales Growth, Gains Popularity
XanGo?, a premier food supplement, is coming to the forefront of health food products as shown by their exceptionally healthy year of sales growth in 2004.
Made from the puree of the rare mangosteen fruit, Xango is becoming known worldwide for its health benefits.
XanGo's unprecedented growth in the food supplement industry is attributed to the unique quality of the product.
XanGo's sales growth?$40 million in sales the first year and $150 million the second year?more than tripled in 2004, making it a leading health drink product and sales model in the highly competitive business of food supplements.
This single product company's success is buoyed by the seasoned corporate management executives,...
Kids Going Off to College? Send Along Some Food!
If you have children heading off to college this fall, make sure some basic food supplies go along with them.
Even if your students sign up for an on-campus food plan, they will want to have some basic supplies stashed for emergencies. Granola bars, fresh fruit, trail mix, popcorn, and other healthy munchies will get your kids through their first few days of classes while they scope out the local convenience and health food stores in their new location. If your kids have access to appliances that allow them to cook and refrigerate or freeze food, add boxes of cereal and even some baking mixes to their stash, along with dishes, silverware, and cookware.
Don't forget some treats: A box with a collection of coffees or teas, or filled with chocolates and hot chocolate mix, makes for great comfort food.
If your kids plan to live in a dorm, make sure you check the rules before bringing in appliances. Hot plates are often banned for safety's sake,...
THE WATERMELON SEED
Today I planted a watermelon seedPlanted it in hope that it would feedThree or four little children dear to meThe ground was prepared by the apple treeOf grass and weeds the soil was bareThe tiny seed was planted with careWith a prayer to the LORD up on highThat He would cause the seed to grow, by and byNext to the watermelon, I planted some sunflowersThen I waited on the LORD to send some showersI watched the seeds spring forth and growOne day after the rain, I spied a rainbowIt spread so mightily across the skyThis beauty was from God who reigns on highAfter many days the watermelon grew with mightThe sunflowers bursted with colors, O what a sightFinally the day came when I picked the melonThis juicy fruit I would not be sellingI called my grandsons, my great nephews and niecesCut up the watermelon and gave them the piecesMy heart rejoiced to see the juice run down their facesWith a President or King I wouldn't trade placesTo see this gift from our loving GodA juicy treat sprung forth...
THE WATERMELON SEED
Liver Foods That Make Your Liver Stronger and Useful
Most people don't think about what foods are good for keeping their liver strong.
But, if you have been discovering and using a diet that is good for your overall health, then, most likely you are helping your liver.
So here again is a list of healthy eating that will result in a strong useful liver.
Oils - use mostly olive oil for your food preparation.
This oil can be heated to a relative medium level without causing free radicals.
Use flax seed oil or fish oil every day.
Avoid margarine or any other artificial butter since their processing creates chemicals the liver cannot recognize as food.
Use Ghee, which doesn't require refrigeration, or raw butter,
Sunflower, safflower, and other seed oils should be kept in the refrigerator to keep them from becoming rancid.
When you eat too much fat, the fat accumulates in the liver.
The liver is responsible for breaking...
Fruit nursing courses Mangosteen 
Kiwi Casino Offers a Lucky Japanese Player a VIP Holiday in New Zealand
(ContentDesk) September 8, 2005 -- Kiwi Casino, one of the most respected and trusted online casinos in the market, celebrates it 5th Birthday this October. To mark this special occasion Kiwi Casino is offering two of its Japanese players the chance to see first hand what makes New Zealand the place to visit."Our lucky winner and their friend are going to be amazed with the trip we have lined up for them" says Gary, Kiwi Casino Management. "They will be staying in the South Islands premier hotel,...
Kiwi Casino Offers a Lucky Japanese Player a VIP Holiday in New Zealand
Praba Salon: NYC's Premiere Asian-Indian Day Spa
In this day and age, very few women can afford the costly beauty services highlighted in many television shows and beauty magazines. That's where Praba Salon bordering the Upper East Side and East Harlem comes in - a day spa for real women.
Once you step into this Asian-Indian inspired day spa, you'll feel you traveled 10,000 miles to the far east. Praba offers traditional Indian beauty services which have been used for centuries and known for their all-natural benefits. Services...