Mandarin

Mandarins are fruits of an evergreen shrub native to asia that belongs to the family of rutaceae and are thought to have originated in the forests of china. Mandarin oranges resemble a common orange in shape but are smaller in size and come with a thin peel. clementine, tangor and satsuma, owari are some of the most commonly available mandarin oranges. Mandarin oranges with red orange skins are the most commonly found mandarin and are properly known as tangerine.

Mandarins are like oranges, rich in vitamins such as vitamin a and b. The vitamin c found in mandarin is useful in combating unstable molecules otherwise known as free radicals. This is because it is an anti-oxidant. The work of anti-oxidants is to destroy the free radicals hence prevent damage on the they are also rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

Mandarins are harvested mostly during the winter season and canned mandarins are available throughout the year. Mandarin oranges are used in salads and can be eaten raw too. The fruit is sweet and juicy and provides flavour to candies, bubble gums and ice cream. Mandarin peels contain essential oils that are used in the perfume industry and skin care preparations.

The mandarin orange (citrus reticulata) resembles the common orange in shape but is smaller in size. Despite the similarities in their appearance, mandarin oranges and common oranges have distinct nutrient profiles, although there are also some similarities in this respect. The dominant flavonoids in mandarin oranges include tangeritin, hesperidin, and narirutin. Mandarins also contain plenty of vitamin c and beta-cryptoxanthin (a nutrient related to beta-carotene). The following paragraphs explain how these nutrients contribute to the health benefits of tangerines, clementines, and other mandarin oranges.

Mandarins are citrus fruits which are also known as mandarin oranges or tangerines. However, there is a slight difference. Mandarins are more yellow in color and come with pips, while tangerines are more orange in color and come without pips. So, mandarin essential oil is also called tangerine essential oil. The botanical name of both of these plants is citrus reticulata, which shows that they are same. As the name suggests, mandarin plants are native to china. From there, they went to europe and now italy is one of the biggest producers of mandarin oil.

The essential oil is extracted by cold compression of the fresh peels of these fruits and contains alpha thujone, alpha pinene, beta pinene, camphene, citral, citronellal, gamma terpinolene, geranial, geraniol, limonene, linalool, methyl methylanthranilate, myrcene, nerol, sabinene and terpineol. Mandarins have a special place in chinese culture as they were given as gifts to the mandarins (the name given to chinese officials under the king).

Lowers the risk of liver cancer due to high beta cryptoxanthin content

Normalises blood pressure

Good levels of vitamin c help promote a healthy and effective immune system

Promotes skin health and protects the skin fromuva rays

Containing vitamin e and b12, mandarins promote hair growth and scalp health

They also help reduce greying of the hair as well

Helps combat and metabolise bad cholesterol

Contain microbial properties that prevent negative bacterial functions.

Limonene, found in mandarins, is useful in preventing breast cancer

Only 64 calories in a single mandarin

The mandarin is one of iron manas fiercest foes, and possesses great guile and cunning. The mandarin we are concerned about though, is a small citrus fruit, and breed of orange.

Originally cultivated in asia, mandarins are a symbol of good luck and prosperity in china, and frequently given as gifts on chinese new year. Additionally in chinese medicine mandarin peel is used to regulate a persons chai. While the heath benefits of a regulated chai system have yet to be researched, the benefits of a regulated digestive system are well known.

Containing dietary fibre, mandarins are effective in the treatment and prevention of constipation. As youad expect from a citrus fruit, it also has good levels of vitamin c, which helps maintain the immune system as a whole. This vitamin c promotes the absorption of calcium, and helps guard against weakening of the bones and osteoporosis.

Research has revealed that mandarins can lower the risk of developing liver cancer. The carotenoids present mandarin oranges due to high vitamin a have shown to reduce the risk of liver cancer. Mandarin juice given to hepatitis c patients failed to develop liver cancer because of its high beta cryptoxanthin content. Mandarin has a high level of limonene which has anti-cancer effects and also helps to prevent breast cancer.

Mandarins contain a high level of vitamin c which provides a number of health benefits. vitamin c helps to fight a number of unstable molecules in our body known as free radicals through its antioxidant properties. We all are aware of the fact that free radicals in the body can lead to infectious disease and cancer. The antioxidants present in mandarins disarm free radical and prevent cellular damage.

Mandarins are rich in fiber, supplying 14% per 1 cup of orange section. They are low in fat. They contain both soluble and insoluble fiber like hemicelluloses and pectin both of which are useful in preventing absorption of cholesterol in the body. This is due to the presence of synephrine which regulate the production of low density lipoprotein (ldls) in the body. Bad cholesterol or ldl is responsible for cholesterol which lodges itself on the artery walls, leading to cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack.

Mandarins produce synephrine which curbs the production of cholesterol in the body. The antioxidants present in mandarin help to lower bad cholesterol and promote good cholesterol. Mandarins combat the free radicals that oxidize the cholesterol which makes the cholesterol to stick to the artery walls. Further they contain soluble and insoluble fiber like hemicellulose and pectin which prevents cholesterol absorption in the gut.

It protects wounds from becoming septic as well as from other bacterial, fungal or viral infections. It forms a protective covering on the wound and promotes the collection of blood platelets and leucocytes at the affected place, thereby blocking the intrusion of microbes. Furthermore, the oil itself has bactericidal and fungicidal properties and kills them, thereby adding to this protective effect.

A spasm in the respiratory system can make you suffer from breathing troubles, congestion and exhausting coughs while muscular spasm gives cramps and muscle pulls, which are very painful. Spasms in the digestive system (intestines) can cause vomiting and pulling aches in the stomach and intestines while a spasm in the nervous system can result in nervous afflictions and convulsions. There are a number of treatments, but one that is herbal and has no adverse side effects is mandarin essential oil. Just a few drops and the spasm will be cured.

Mandarins also help to lower blood pressure levels. They consist of nutrients and minerals like potassium that lowers the blood pressure. Mandarins keep the blood flow move smoothly through the arteries which keeps the blood pressure normal.

Mandarins are a substantial source of fiber. Fiber rich foods keep the stomach full for a longer period of time and reduce the desire or need to eat more food, assisting in weight loss. Doctors have found that eating mandarin oranges benefits to lower insulin, thus instead of storing sugar and converting them to fats, it uses it as a fuel that leads to weight loss.

Due to its high fiber content, it gives you a afullnessa feeling in your stomach for long, hence you eat less. This is useful in controlling your weight. Doctors have also found that mandarins lower insulin which ensures that you burn the stored fats instead of storing sugar. More insulin production leads to storage of more fat in the body.

The oil of mandarin oranges also improves the circulation of blood and lymph, particularly below the skin, which keeps the skin rejuvenated and looking young and vibrant. This improved circulation also creates warmth and provides relief from rheumatism and arthritis. This also aids growth and boosts immunity.

Mandarins also help to manage cholesterol levels in the body. This is achieved by the antioxidants in the fruit which lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood. High levels of cholesterol endanger your health in various ways. Free radicals are able to oxidize cholesterol. This causes cholesterol to cling to the walls of the arteries. It restricts the smooth flow of blood and contributes to high blood pressure. The risk of stroke and coronary heart diseases increases in such conditions. A high build-up of fatty acids also leads to liver disease.

It purifies the blood by helping remove toxic and unwanted substances from the body by means of excretion, including urine, fecal matter and sweat. This prevents diseases that result from the deposition of toxins, such as abscesses, boils, acne, gout, and arthritis.

A few drops of this oil after lunch or dinner facilitates digestion by stimulating the discharge of digestive juices and bile into the stomach. It also increases the appetite.

Vitamin c in mandarin is instrumental in preventing cold and is vital for the proper functioning of a healthy immune system. Mandarins have anti-microbial properties that prevent wounds from getting septic and from viral, fungal and bacterial infections. mandarins prevent spasm in the digestive and nervous system thus prevents cramps and vomiting. Mandarin is a natural blood purifier that helps to flush out toxins and unwanted substances from the body.

Vitamin c present in mandarin is very good for skin both when consumed internally and applied topically on the skin. Regular intake of mandarin juice makes the skin glow and improves the skin tone to a great extent. The antioxidants present in mandarin protect the skin from harsh uva rays and help the skin to resist the damage caused by the sun and free radicals. It also reduces the sign of ageing like wrinkles, fine lines and blemishes.