What Are the Health Benefits of Mangosteen Tea?

Mangosteen is a small, round fruit so revered in its native Southeast Asia that it's called the "Queen of Fruits." The fruit and bark of this tropical plant have been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections, menstrual disorders and skin infections — and to boost immunity.

While there isn't enough research that supports the multitude of health claims, this fruit is known to be rich in compounds that provide health-promoting properties.

Not related to the common mango, mangosteen is a distinctive and pleasant-tasting fruit with a hard, purple exterior and a white, segmented flesh. This fruit is also rich in phytochemicals, which are plant chemicals that help promote health and reduce disease risk.

The main phytochemicals found in mangosteen are xanthones, a group of compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, according to a 2017 study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology. These substances may also counter cancer, infection and a variety of other health problems.

However, the majority of research on mangosteen has been done in a laboratory, studying the effects high concentrations of mangosteen or xanthones on rodents or human cells in order to understand their effects.

Recently, these phytochemicals have been the subject of considerable study. A 2011 study published in Current Molecular Medicine found that the xanthones in mangosteen may prevent the development of or reduce tumor size in a variety of cancer types.

However, mangosteen extracts or products with high concentrations of xanthones were used in these studies, not brewed mangosteen tea. In addition, mangosteen has the potential to interfere with cancer drugs, underscoring the need for quality, human research.

Extracts from xanthones, the most notable class of phytochemicals found in mangosteen, have been found to have antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

For instance, in one 2019 study in PeerJ, topical application of mangosteen extract was found to inhibit certain strains of Staphlyococcus bacteria. And 2008 study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found topical use was also found to improve dental health and reduce the risk of dental caries, or cavities, and counter gum disease.

These benefits are linked to both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Laboratory research has demonstrated that mangosteen extracts inhibit the dengue virus and malaria. Again, extracts and mangosteen peel were used in this research, not home-brewed tea.

Components of the mangosteen plant have also been linked to benefits that may improve blood sugars and aid in weight loss. This fruit's high antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory potential holds promise it can help protect the body from damage.

For instance, a 2018 study on rodents from the International Journal on Molecular Sciences showed that mangosteen compounds counter liver damage from acetaminophen, the ingredient in Tylenol. And a 2017 study also from the International Journal on Molecular Sciences found mangosteen extracts can protect hairless mice from sun damage.

Additional research suggests the properties of mangosteen may help with nerve damage, bowel disease and high blood pressure. However, the effect of mangosteen tea, or any mangosteen products on human subjects, still needs to be clarified.

While a 2015 human study from the journal Food Science and Nutrition showed that mangosteen juice improved markers of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action in the blood, it's not clear if mangosteen tea has the same effect.

But mangosteen is a nutritious fruit that can be consumed whole or made into tea. To make mangosteen tea, cut up and steep the rind in boiling water, and then cool down enough to safely drink. Alternatively, you can add mangosteen tea leaves to hot water.

The fruit can also be made into jam or used in desserts. You might find fresh mangosteen at Asian or other specialty food markets, but in the U.S., it's more common to find dried mangosteen rind, mangosteen tea leaves, or canned or frozen mangosteen fruit.

Mangosteen fruit and tea are generally considered safe to consume without side effects. However, there isn't enough human research to clarify health effects or benefits, including any risks of large doses or supplements. In addition, mangosteen has the potential to interact with certain medicines, although it's not clear if the amounts in tea will have any effect.

If you're under a doctor's care for any medical condition, or if you take any prescription medications, talk to your doctor about risks and benefits if you plan to use mangosteen supplements or consume large amounts of this product.

Reviewed by Kay Peck, MPH RD