Langsat - Healthier Steps

The langsat, also called lanzones, is a fruit of the Asiatic tropics that is widely grown in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Few people are aware that, under the right conditions, this Meliaceae member can be grown and fruited in South Florida. Why is this a secret? Well…

Popenoe wrote, about the langsat, “While it cannot be said to rival the mangostana (Garcinia mangostana, L.), the langsat is considered one of the best fruits of the Malayan region.”

Seeds of the langsat were introduced into Florida many decades ago without apparent success, as far as establishing bearing-size trees.

Popenoe stated, “Experiments indicate that it is not suitable for cultivation in Florida or California, the climates of both states probably being too cold for it.”

Many horticulturists agreed with this noted writer and considered this fruit, along with the mangosteen and rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum, L.), both of which have now fruited here, unsuited to even Florida’s warmest areas.

What is langsat?

This tree has a short trunk, is erect, and may be thin or spread.
This grows to a height of 35 to 50 feet (10.5 to 15 meters), with red-brown or yellow-brown wrinkled bark.
It has pinnate leaves that are 9 to 20 in (22.5-50 cm) long, with 5 to 7 alternate leaflets that are obovate or elliptic-oblong, and these are pointed at both ends and long from 2 3/4 to 8 in (7-20 cm).
Its flowers grow slightly leathery, dark-green, and glossy on the upper surface, lighter and duller beneath, and with a noticeable midrib.
Small, white, or pale-yellow, fleshy, mainly bisexual flowers grow in simple or branched racemes that can be solitary or in hairy clusters on the trunk and oldest branches, standing erect at first and then pendant.
Its measurements are 4 to 12 inches (10–30 cm) in length.
Langsat fruits are oval, oblong, or almost spherical.
They are found 1 to 2 inches (2.5–5 cm) in diameter and have velvety skin that is light grayish-yellow to pale brownish or pink, leathery, thin, or thick, and contains milky latex.

Langsat nutritional facts

Calcium: 19mg
Magnesium: 20mg
Carbohydrates: 9.5g
Vitamin C: 4.1 mg to 13.3 mg
Iron: 0.9mg
Protein: 0.8g
Fat: 0.9g
Calories: 57
Phosphorous: 20.5mg
Vitamin A: 131U
Dietary fiber: 2.3g
Moisture: 86.5g

Types of langsat

The fruits are divided into two categories:

L. domesticum var. pubescent, a widespread wild langsat with thin, open branches, thick skin, nearly spherical fruit, and copious amounts of milky latex.This variety is frequently referred to as the “wild” variety even though it is also cultivated. Indeed, this variety is also grown, but it is frequently referred to as the “wild” variety.
var. domesticum, also known as doku, doku, or doku, is a more robust tree with broad, thick leaves with distinct veins.

The fruits are borne sparsely in clusters, and they have a thin, brown skin that is barely fragrant and contains a little milky latex. A wide variety of shapes, sizes, and qualities are displayed.

Health benefits of langsat:

Not only does this fruit taste good, it is also full of health benefits:

1. Langsat can lower temperature

The different components of the langsat fruit can also be used in addition to the many nutrients found in the meat. Its seeds have a reputation for lowering fever.

Generally, you shouldn’t eat seeds since they taste bitter, but if you must, we advise crushing the seeds thoroughly first to maximize the nutrients’ extraction and brewing with hot water (of course, you want it to sprout as soon as possible).

The langsat seeds must first be dried before being crushed. Crush the seeds when they are ready to be roasted. After that, brew the langsat seeds in their crushed form with warm water.

2. Treatment of scorpion and insect bites

Oh no! You are bitten by an insect or even a scorpion, whether you’re at home or on an outdoor adventure. In particular, the bark of the langsat tree can be used as a treatment for insect or scorpion bites.

To start using the fruit’s bark, take the starch that is present in the tree’s bark. The starch is then applied to the area that was attacked by insects or scorpions and allowed to dry.

Repeat this healing process several times until the bite location is completely healed and no longer inflammatory.

3. Langsat can possibly prevent cancer

Langsat’s skin is beneficial for treating cancer and has a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of cancer cells, in addition to its flesh being healthy for your diet ( just make sure that you clean it very carefully before you eat it).

It has a variety of nutrients, minerals, fiber, and vitamins that are thought to be beneficial for treating cancer, especially cancers related to our digestive systems.

4. Worm infection is healed by langsat

Langsat seeds are useful for treating intestinal worm infections in children, in addition to bringing down fevers if your child has them.

Compared to drug-based worm treatments, these herbal methods are simpler to carry out and safer to use frequently.

To get the full effects of the treatment, replace the seed with the previously described mixture of crushed seed and water to get the full effects of the treatment.

5. Bones and teeth are strengthened by langsat:

Vitamin A, often called retinol or carotenoid, and phosphorus are both present in langsat fruit. Vitamin A, a nutrient that is soluble in lipids, is crucial for maintaining teeth and skeletal bone.

The growth of bones and teeth benefits from the utilization of phosphorus as well. More of these vitamins and minerals can enter your body if you eat langsat fruit.

6. Fruit helps your diet:

Do you follow a diet?
Do you want to lose those excess pounds?

Include the langsat fruit in your diet plan. Every diet, as you are surely aware, depends on your burning more calories than you consume.

Healthy body metabolism is required for this, and langsat fruit provides just that. Riboflavin, which is present in langsat fruit, aids the body in releasing energy from carbohydrates.

7. A source of health carbohydrates

Even though we may be more accustomed to the sour taste of langsat fruit, other data suggests that langsat fruit includes a significant number of healthy carbs. Around 10 grams of carbohydrates are included in every 100 grams of langsat fruit.

Additionally, keep in mind that we previously talked about how langsat fruit might improve the efficiency with which our metabolism uses energy. Because of this, langsat fruit can be used as a substitute for unhealthy snacks.

8. An effective mosquito repellent

According to research, the skin of langsat fruit contains compounds that mosquitoes find repulsive. As a result, it is an effective mosquito repellent.

Don’t just leave the skin laying around your house, though. You must prepare a langsat before using it as a mosquito repellent.

You must first dry the langsat peel before using it to manufacture a repellent. The dried skin can be burned once it has dried.

It has been proven that the smell of burned skin repels mosquitoes more effectively than many commercially available repellents.

9. Great for skin health

If you believe that the advantages of langsat fruit are only related to health and sickness, you are mistaken.

In particular, langsat fruit extract can be utilized to lighten our skin for aesthetic purposes. Why does langsat improve the appearance of our skin?

Once more, vitamin A is involved in this. Consuming langsat fruit will enhance the quality of our skin because it contains vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin and soft tissue.

10. Fights free radicals

The potential of langsat fruit to ward off free radicals in the body is one of the reasons why it can help prevent cancer, especially digestive-related cancers like colon cancer.

Free radicals can cause DNA strand breaks in cells, which prevents them from proliferating. A lot of chronic disorders are caused by this.

By consuming langsat fruit, we can prevent these other ailments brought on by free radicals that might be harmful to our health.

11. Langsat aids the digestive system

Like all fruits, langsat fruit includes fiber that aids in the breakdown of proteins and fats in our diets, aids in the creation of waste, and helps prevent those extremely unpleasant stomachaches.

Thus, the fruit’s numerous health advantages could help you lead a healthy lifestyle. Since it is an Asian native fruit, it could be difficult for you to find it in the grocery store

How to grow langsat?

Generally, langsats are grown from seeds, which need to be sown a day or two after removal from the fruit.

Unless the seeds are placed in polyethylene bags and kept at 39.2-42.8 F (4-6 C), they will remain viable for 14 days, with a complete loss of viability after 8 days.

Plants will start producing fruit in 12 to 20 years. Air layering is problematic due to the frail root system and the low likelihood of survival after planting. Shield budding is not very successful. Cleft-, side-, and approach grafting produce positive results.

The rootstock is attached to the budwood, which should be mature but not old, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 in (6.5–9 cm) long, and 1/4 to 3/4 in (6–20 mm) thick.

This is done about 2 1/2 to 4 in (6.5–10 cm) above the soil. In Puerto Rico, some pilot studies using hormone-treated cuttings were carried out in a misty environment.

Whitman discovered that if placed inside a clear plastic bag, a potted cutting that is 3 to 4 in (7.5 to 10 cm) long will begin to root.

The langsat is typically planted carelessly in front yards and along roadsides and receives no special cultural attention. A bigger yield and better fruit size are produced by regular watering.

Environmental conditions to grow langsat:

In actuality, it needs some shade, especially at first. Due to its need for a humid habitat with sufficient moisture, it cannot tolerate prolonged dry seasons.

Well-drained soil

Deep, rich, well-drained, sandy loams or other soil types that are high in organic matter and have a slightly acidic to neutral pH are best for the tree.

It has absolutely no adaptation to alkaline soils and is more likely to struggle on soils that become dry during a lack of rainfall. Even a couple of days of rain will not be enough to accumulate.

Time of year and harvest

In Malaysia, langsats typically give birth twice a year: first in June and July, then again in December and January, or even as late as February.

Fruits ripen from April to September in India, but the Philippines has a short season, and the majority of the fruits are gone from the market in less than a month.

Langsat tree pests

Aphids, moths, bark beetles, ants, and other pathogens can damage langsat trees.

The longhorn beetle is a dangerous insect for the langsat tree. It enters the trunk or twig of a tree and kills the plant tissue.

Bark attacks inhibit flowering and limit production. Therefore, the plant should be clipped and burned to control the damage.

Follow these steps to control pests.

Mechanical method – scraping and cutting the affected parts.
Chemical method: application of insecticides after mechanical operation to drive out the borer.

To get rid of them, you can use a garden hose or a strong jet of water with neem oil or soap solution.