, a
chemical compound found in mangosteen rind The fruit of most species of
Garcinia are eaten locally; some species' fruits are highly esteemed in one region, but unknown just a few hundred kilometres away. The best-known species is
Garcinia mangostana, which is now cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and other tropical countries, having become established in the late 20th century. Less well-known, but still of international importance, are kandis (
G. forbesii) with small round red fruits with moderately acidic taste and melting flesh, the
lemon drop mangosteen (
G. intermedia) with yellow fruit that look like a wrinkled
lemon, and the thin-skinned orange
button mangosteen (
G. prainiana). In addition, mangosteen rind (
exocarp) extract is used as a
spice. It figures prominently in
Kodava culture, and
G. multiflora is used to flavour and colour the famous
bún riêu soup of
Vietnam, where this plant is known as
hạt điều màu.
Garcinia gummi-gutta yields a spice widely used in
South Asia, in particular in
Kerala, where it is called
kodumpulli. Most species in
Garcinia are known for their
gum resin, brownish-yellow from
xanthonoids such as
mangostin, and used as
purgative or
cathartic, but most frequently – at least in former times – as a
pigment. The colour term
gamboge refers to this pigment. Extracts of the exocarp of certain species – typically
G. gummi-gutta, but also
G. mangostana – are often contained in
appetite suppressants, but their effectiveness at normal consumption levels is unproven. At least one case of severe
acidosis caused by long-term consumption of such products has been documented. Furthermore, they may contain significant amounts of
hydroxycitric acid, which is somewhat toxic and might even destroy the
testicles after prolonged use. Bitter kola (
G. kola) seeds are used in
folk medicine.
G. mannii is popular as a
chew stick in western
Africa, freshening the breath and cleaning the teeth.
G. subelliptica, called
fukugi in
Japanese, is the
floral emblem of
Mobuto and
Tarama on
Okinawa. The
Malaysian town of
Beruas – often spelled "Bruas" – derives its name from the seashore mangosteen (
G. hombroniana), known locally as
pokok bruas. It has been used for many years by certain African tribes as a tonic believed to increase 'energy levels' and to possess digestive and fat-busting properties. ==Selected species==