MANILA, Philippines --- The sour mangosteen is also a medicine.
This argument was advanced recently by members of a religious congregation called the Handmaids of Christ the King or Ancillae Christi Regis (ACR) who have been collecting mangosteen peelings and manufacturing capsules from the rind, which some researchers insist teems with antioxidants. ACR, based in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, was recently visited by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, who also witnessed how the capsule is being manufactured in a two-storey house-cum-production facility that can be reached through a narrow road.
The congregation started producing mangosteen capsules two years ago by pounding dried mangosteen rind into powder in their ancient mortar and pestle.
After collecting the powder, they are placed into biodegradable capsules and packed for sale in outlets that specialize in organic preparations and wellness products.
The proceeds are plowed back to sustain the ACR herbal medicine processing facility and part of the cash is also used for charitable activities.
Sister Concordia Pingoy, ACR Superior General, said they are currently producing 100,000 mangosteen capsules a month that are sold at P3 each in oputlets located in Tagum City.
The ACR sisters also churn out malunggay and yellow ginger or turmeric capsules,
She said the demand for their herbal capsules is gradually picking up since those who had used them attest to their beneficial effects.
source: mb.com.ph
