Garcinia

1. Definition

Garcinia is a plant genus in the Clusiaceae family, native to Asia, America, and Africa. Consisting of evergreen trees and shrubs, the genus includes key species such as Garcinia mangostana (mangosteen) and Garcinia cambogia. Many Garcinia species produce edible fruits with nutrient-rich rinds containing active xanthones (primarily alpha-mangostin), which are widely processed into botanical supplements and traditional medicines. ([Wikipedia][1])

2. Alternate Names

*   Garcinia Genus
*   Clusiaceae Garcinia

3. Recognized Identities

*   Wikipedia: Garcinia
*   Wikidata: Q311143
*   DBpedia: Garcinia
*   ProductOntology: N/A
*   Wiktionary: N/A
*   Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Garcinia — Botany
*   MeSH: N/A
*   NCBI Taxonomy: 58227
*   AGROVOC: http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3158
*   Google Scholar: Garcinia mangostana Clusiaceae taxonomy xanthones mangosteen extract
*   ConceptNet: Garcinia
*   OpenCyc: N/A

4. Examples of Usage

*   **Species Cultivation:** Planting Garcinia mangostana seedlings in an orchard in Davao to harvest commercial mangosteen fruits.
*   **Mangosteen:** The main canonical article details the fruit harvesting, medical profiles, nutrient contents, and local distribution in the Philippines.

5. Typical Scenarios

*   **Auditing botanical taxonomy:** A pharmacognosist reviews the botanical classification of a new supplement ingredient, confirming it belongs to the Garcinia genus.
*   **Developing a supplement formula:** An R&D team extracts xanthones from the rinds of local Garcinia trees to manufacture herbal capsules.

6. Key Strategies

*   Cross-reference botanical properties and health benefits with the main Mangosteen article.
*   Use certified Garcinia species to ensure consistency in active alpha-mangostin concentrations in manufactured products.

7. Safety & Security Measures

*   Confirm that raw Garcinia imports are cleared under phytosanitary regulations by the Bureau of Plant Industry.
*   Ensure that extraction processes do not introduce chemical residues into the final supplement powder.

8. Historical Context

The genus Garcinia was named by botanist Carl Linnaeus in honor of French naturalist Laurent Garcin. Historically, various Garcinia species were utilized in traditional Asian medicine to treat skin infections and digestive issues. In the late 20th century, pharmacology research identified xanthones within the fruit rinds, driving the growth of the modern health supplement industry.

9. Common Challenges

*   **Slow Grow Cycles:** Many Garcinia species are slow-growing trees, taking 6 to 10 years to produce commercial fruit yields.
*   **Pest and Disease Vulnerability:** Orchards are vulnerable to root rot and sap-feeding pests, requiring active botanical care.

10. Related Topics

*   [[Mangosteen]]
*   [[Xanthones]]
*   [[FDA Philippines]]
*   [[Traditional Medicine in the Philippines]]

11. References

1.  [Garcinia — Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garcinia)