Durian

Durian; Durio zibethinus   
(The King of Fruits)

Durian tree is normally growing up to 27 meter. The fruit is oblong with a length of 20-35 cm, diameter of 18-22 cm & weighs about 1-9 kg. Its rind  is thick with sharply pointed spines. Inside the fruit, there are normally 5 or less compartments containing the creamy white/yellowish edible pulp. Each durian usually contains 1-7  glossy seeds, about 2-6 cm long. Durian has a distinctive & strong odour. The grafted durian trees produce crop in 4-5 years while seedlings need about 10 years.

Health & Medical  Benefits:

1.        Source for vitamin B, C &  E.

2.        The fruit is a rich source for  B-complex groups of vitamins such as niacin (vitamin B3), riboflavin (vitamin B2), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and thiamine (vitamin B1).

3.        Its leaves & roots can be used for healing fevers & jaundice.

4.        Durian fruit can lower a cholesterol level.

5.        Durian can alleviate anxiety, depression, & insomnia (due to its amino acid, tryptophan), and it also can create  feelings of  happiness by increasing  serotonin level in the brain.

6.        Durian is a good  laxative as it is rich with a dietary fibres.

7.        Durian is a very excellent source of manganese, copper, iron, magnesium & potassium.

8.        Tryptophan in durian can also act as "nature sleeping pill" (it will be metabolized into serotonin & melatonin in the body).

Mangosteen

Mangosteen;  Garcinia mangostana 
(The Queen of Fruits)  

   The height of a tree is about 7-25 meters with a very black dark brown bark. Inside the fruit, there is a translucent white delicious  flesh. The fruit is between 4-6 cm round, with a dark purple/reddish rind. It is multi-segmented, usually with 4-8 segments. The taste of the fleshy fruit is sweet. Its rind is bitter & unpleasant but contains highest concentration of xanthones. The interesting fact about mangosteen is that each contains a type of petals “flower” at the  bottom of the fruit, which normally  indicates the same number of segments in  the fruit. The mangosteen tree takes about 7-10 years to start producing fruits.

Health & Medical  Benefits:

1.       anti aging.

2.       gets rid of free radical.

3.       inflammation & pain.

4.       immune system.

5.       respiratory system.

6.       intestinal health.

7.       cartilage function.

8.       joint function.

Eid ul Fitr/Ramadhan

   Eid ul Fitr & Ramadhan have gone, leaving us as before. Have we really done & achieved something from those? Have we really cleansed & purified our deepest heart away from all bad things? Only we ourselves can answer it.

   Eid ul Fitr & Ramadhan this year are no more with us. We must keep our lives going on. Although these two special events/occasions have just left us, we must always keep the spirit of them inside our hearts & minds.

   May Allah accept our good deeds during last Eid ul Fitr & Ramadhan & shower us with His Great  mercy & blessings…..