The scientific name is Garcinia Mangostana, and it has been under scrutiny sinces the early 1970's, primarily for the phytochemicals in it, which are known as xanthones. Xanthones are biologically active substances, and more than 30 are found in the mangosteen, including the pericarp. Xanthones are the healing agents of this incredible fruit. The musculo-skeletal benefits of the mangosteen fruit have been of
particular interest to me. All musculo-skeletal conditions have one
thing in common-inflammation. The inflammatory process comes at a
time when tissues are going through the natural process of despair.
Cells have been damaged, and the end result of that damage is the
production of hormone-like molecules called prostaglandins, which
cause pain and inflammation. The intermediate of this process is an
enzyme called Cox II. The CoxII enzyme is what actually starts the
inflammation, swelling and pain.

The big push in pharmaceutical companies has been to find a Cox II inhibitor, which would stop the common complaints of inflammation and pain. The answer has been two well-known drugs called Vioxx and Celebrex. In my opinion, the drawback to the continued use of these types of drugs is the long-term damage done to the liver. In chiropractic medicine we do not choose to use drugs. We seek to find alternative, natural ways to eliminate inflammation, pain and swelling without damage to the liver induced by drugs.

In 1981, while surfing in Hawaii, I sustained a back injury. At the time, I was thrown to the bottom of the surf with such force that it bent my entire body backward, breaking my back in four areas. I snapped ribs off my spine like you would snap branches from a tree! I found myself lying on the beach pondering the end of my life. I literally felt like a bag of flesh with broken bones all over inside. After talking to God and expecting this to be the end of my life, I began to think like a doctor and tried to wiggle my toes. To my delight, I realized I could move my toes, and soon thereafter a group of people came and carried me to my hotel room, because I refused to go to the emergency room.

Over the last 20 years through chiropractic care; I have been able to lead a fairly normal life. However, the pain has increased as years have passed because spurring has advanced and degeneration has occurred in the areas of the spine that were traumatized.

As the years went by, it became harder and harder to sleep because of the pain that occurred when I laid on my ribs and spine. The only way I could sleep was to take a sleeping pill two hours before bed. The pain became more intense, and I found myself having to use Lortab on a daily basis to reduce the pain. It was evident that liver damage was occurring.

Then in December 2002, my son, Dr. Humble Finsand, asked me to go and listen to a presentation by a new company. It was marketing a product made up primarily of a fruit called mangosteen. At the time, I had been sick with a viral cold that I could not shake. This was a reoccurring event, as my body seemed to be less and less resistant to colds and infections. My energy had been noticeably reduced, and I felt exhausted most of the time. I attributed the changes in my body to long-term use of medication. After listening to the presentation, I was given an ounce of the mangosteen juice. That was the beginning of a major change in my health, my life and my career! The next morning my cold symptoms were gone!

I have implemented this product in my clinic and recommended its use to my patients with incredible results. Never have I encountered a natural fruit so powerful that it could do the job of so many other herbs. Because of the amazing results I have had with mangosteen, I am now drug free and virtually pain free for the first time in 21 years. The research I have performed on this product has led me to believe that it helps restore liver function, it breaks down insulin resistance, and it can turn around chronic conditions of inflammation in the cells of the body. It is also my finding that mangosteen is the perfect ailment preventative. And in the chiropractic world, prevention is the key goal in health care.