Garcinia xanthochymus, Garcinia tinctoria

Medium sized tree with large leaves. Flowering occurs between March and May. Golden yellow berry, 2-3" in diameter with a yellow, juicy, and acidic pulp usually containing two seeds. Often used in making jams. Can be used as a substitute for tamarind in cooking. Fruit juice and bark extract are used as dyes. Contains a biologically active compound which is known to inhibit the synthesis of lipids and fatty acids and lower the formation of LDL and triglycerides. Garcinia also contains significant amounts of Vitamin C and has been used as a heart tonic. Research suggests that this natural extract may also inhibit the conversion of excess calories to body fat. Additionally, appetite is also suppressed by promoting synthesis of glycogen. Glycogen is the stored form of glucose, one of the body's primary sources of energy. Increased glycogen production and storage is the body's normal way of signaling the brain's satiety centre that enough food has been eaten. This has made Garcinia a very effective herbal medicine for controlling obesity and cholesterol. It is a well established fat burning agent all over the world and is currently becoming a rage in America, Japan, Europe and many other western nations. It is recommended as a dieting aid supported by exercise and a balanced nutritional diet.

Similar plants:

• Garcinia atroviridis (Asam Gelugor, Gelugor)
• Garcinia gummi-gutta, Garcinia cambogia (Brindleberry, Brindall berry, Gambooge, Malabar Tamarind, Kudam Puli)
• Garcinia hombroniana (Seashore Mangosteen, Luli)
• Garcinia livingstonei (Imbe, Rheedia, Lowveld Mangosteen)
• Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen)
• Garcinia megaphylla, Garcinia macrophylla, Rheedia macrophylla, Garcinia magnifolia, Rheedia magnifolia (Bacuru Pary, Bacuripari )
• Garcinia nervosa (Mountain Garcinia, Pear Mangosteen)
• Garcinia prainiana (Cherapu, Button Mangosteen)
• Garcinia schomburgkiana (Madan)
• Garcinia sp. (Garcinia)