kAMASUTRA :The art of making love

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Mangosteen: The Queen of Fruits

Mangosteen The mangosteen tree is very slow-growing, erect, with a pyramidal crown; attains 20 to 82 ft (6-25 m) in height, has dark-brown or nearly black, flaking bark, the inner bark containing much yellow, gummy, bitter latex. The evergreen, opposite, short-stalked leaves are ovate-oblong or elliptic, leathery and thick, dark-green, slightly glossy above, yellowish-green and dull beneath; 3 1/2 to 10 in (9-25 cm) long, 1 3/4 to 4 in (4.5-10 cm) wide, with conspicuous, pale midrib. New leaves are rosy. Flowers, 1 1/2 to 2 in (4-5 cm) wide and fleshy, may be male or hermaphrodite on the same tree. The former are in clusters of 3-9 at the branch tips; there are 4 sepals and 4 ovate, thick, fleshy petals, green with red spots on the outside, yellowish-red inside, and many stamens though the aborted anthers bear no pollen. The hermaphrodite are borne singly or in pairs at the tips of young branchlets; their petals may be yellowish-green edged with red or mostly red, and are quickly shed. The fruit, capped by the prominent calyx at the stem end and with 4 to 8 triangular, flat remnants of the stigma in a rosette at the apex, is round, dark-purple to red-purple and smooth externally; 1 1/3 to 3 in (3.4-7.5 cm) in diameter. The rind is 1/4 to 3/8 in (6-10 mm) thick, red in cross-section, purplish-white on the inside. It contains bitter yellow latex and a purple, staining juice. There are 4 to 8 triangular segments of snow-white, juicy, soft flesh (actually the arils of the seeds). The fruit may be seedless or have 1 to 5 fully developed seeds, ovoid-oblong, somewhat flattened, 1 in (2.5 cm) long and 5/8 in (1.6 cm) wide, that cling to the flesh. The flesh is slightly acid and mild to distinctly acid in flavor and is acclaimed as exquisitely luscious and delicious.

Mangosteen, a delicious tropical fruit, is widely grown in Tayabas, Quezon and is abundant during the months of July to November.  Mangosteen is eaten fresh. The white, juice pulp around the seeds can be into preserves after boiling in brown sugar. It is reach in protein, minerals and carbohydrates. Mangosteen peeling, when dried and boiled, is a very effective cure to diarrhea and dysentery. Soil and climate requirement. A warm, humid environment is ideal for growing mangosteen. Rainfall should be well-distributed throughout the year, unless sufficient irrigation is available. The soil should be rich in organic matter, porous, deep, moist and well-drained. Ideal type of soil is heavy clay with sand and silt. Mangosteen can thrive at elevations of up to 500 meters above the sea level. Planting. Mangosteen seeds can be planted whole or cut into pieces. They are first sown in seedboxes, seed plots or pots, bamboo tubes, or plastic bags. Keep them under partial shade for about two weeks and water four times a week. transplant after two years when plants are about 30 cm tall. In the field, plant them at the distance of 7 meters in rows and 9 meters between rows. Place the seedling in holes 15 cm deep. Cultivation. Weed at a distance of one meter around the plants. Apply nitrate or other nitrogenous fertilizer for longer periods of fruiting. Composts may also be broadcast to enrich the soil with humus. Common intercrops with mangosteen are peanut and other legumes, abaca, banana , marang and lanzones trees. Dapdap and durian trees also serve as partial shades. Insect and disease control. Control pests with Methyl Parathion and Diazinon at the rate of 2 1/2 tablespoon per five gallons of water. For disease, use Manzate and Dithane Z-78. Harvest. Mangosteen bear fruit after 10 to 15 years. Pick the fruits together with the peduncle or main stalk, then bind together in elongated cluster of 15 pieces. Medicinal use. For treatment of diarrhea, prepare 4 teaspoon of chop mangosteen peeling and boil with two glasses of water for 15 minutes. For children from 7 to 12 years, use two teaspoon of chopped mangosteen peelings; for children from 2 to 6 years, use one teaspoon. Cool the mixture and strain. Divide it in four parts and drink one part every 2 or 3 hours.

Banahaw (The Treasure of Yamashita)

Hilot (A natural way of healing)

"Hilot", the traditional way of healing is the oldest and the most secret arts in the Philippines. Most Hilot in the Philippines are either learned from relatives, through hands on practice, or inherited from their forefathers, passing the arts from one generation to the next. Anywhere you visit in the Philippines, most Filipinos are exposed to the curative value of Hilot.

Hilot is a Tagalog dialect that means massage rubbing or touch with care.It is an art of healing, commonly used today to relax stressed muscles. Masahista (Hilot practitioners) as well as albularyo usually cheaper alternatives to medical doctors in the Philippines, especially in very deep rural areas. Hilot employ chiropractic manipulation and massage for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoligamentous and musculoskeletal ailments. They also have been known to reset dislocated and sprained joints such as the knee, ankle, fingers and metacarpal bones. Hilot tend to be chiropractors while arbularyos tend to be herbalists.

Hilots are Filipino traditional healers based in the communities who deliver health services. Filipino traditional hilot therapy is somewhat associated with the traditional Chinese medicine and Indian traditional medicine. Long time ago, Filipino traditional medicine was largely ignored and suppressed.

There are several types of hilots in the community. There’s the Magpapaanak who is an expert in post-natal massage; the hilot, who is a bone setter; the acupressurist who aligns ugat (nerves) and balance electrical energy into the body; the reflexologist, who drains excess energy; and the herbalist, who uses herbs in healing.

Hilots provide value redirection and spiritual formation. Hilot healing practices are unique because they give impart honesty, sincerity, respect, humility, understanding, discipline, and service to community and nature.

Bundok Banahaw (Ang Kanlungan)

Ang Banahaw ay isang natutulog na bulkan na matatagpuan sa hangganan ng mga lalawigan ng Laguna at Quezon partikular sa Tayabas, Lucban,Sariaya at Dolores.
Naging tanyag dahilan sa mga mistikong lugar, ang Banahaw ay tinatawag ding " ang Jerusalem ng Pilipinas".

Subalit bukod sa mga katawagang ito, ang Banahaw ay isang kanlungan o "sanctuary". Sa bundok na ito matatagpuan ang iba't - ibang espisi ng mga hayop at halaman. Gayundin ang bundok ng Banahaw ay ginawang kanlungan ng mga taong naging "kalaban" ng pamahalaan.

Maaalaalang ang unang rebolusyonaryo noong panahon ng Kastila, ang kaunaunahang bayani ng lupang Tagalog na si Apolinario de la Cruz o mas kilala sa tawag na Hermano Puli ay nagtayo ng kuta, malapit sa ilog ng Tomloy ng Brgy. Alitao, Tayabas, kung saan ay ipinagtanggol niya ang kanyang sarili at ang Tayabas sa kuko ng mga prayle.

Sa kasalukuyang panahon, ang Banahaw ay patuloy pa ring nagkakanlong ng mga nais makadama ng kapayapaan sa kanyang dibdib. Patuloy ding itong nagkakanlong ng mga taong may kasalungat na ideolohiya ng pamahalaan. Makailang ulit na bang ang Banahaw ay naging kanlungan ng mga rebeldeng NPA?

Ang Banahaw sa pagpapatuloy ng panahon ay laging nandiyan upang maging kanlungan ng kahit na sinong naghahanap ng kapayapaan ng kanyang sarili at isipan, ng mga taong nais makaranas ng kapayapaan kahit panandalian, ng mga hayop at halamang tanging ang Banahaw lamang ang makapagbibigay buhay.

Ito ang Banahaw, ito ang kanlungan ng mga Tayabasin, ito ang kanlungan ng mga Pilipino, ito ang kanlungan ko.

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