Soursop (also called graviola, guyabano, and in Hispanic America, guanábana) is the fruit of Annona muricata, a broadleaf, flowering, evergreen tree.[4][5] It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean and is widely propagated.[6] It is in the same genus, Annona, as cherimoya and is in the Annonaceae family.
The soursop is adapted to areas of high humidity and relatively warm winters; temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F) will cause damage to leaves and small branches, and temperatures below 3 °C (37 °F) can be fatal. The fruit becomes dry and is no longer good for concentrate.
With an aroma similar to pineapple,[5] the flavor of the fruit has been described as a combination of strawberries and apple with sour citrus flavor notes, contrasting with an underlying thick creamy texture reminiscent of banana.
Soursop is widely promoted (sometimes as “graviola”) as an alternative cancer treatment, but there is no reliable medical evidence it is effective for treating cancer or any disease.[7]
(source Wikipedia)
Soursop leaves supply health benefits you probably never thought of
Soursop is a popular fruit that’s loved by almost everyone but the leaves have some surprising benefits.
Soursop leaves supplies surprising health benefits to the body
Many people have come across soursop several times but they just see it as a mere fruit take for pleasure, thereby neglecting the leaves.
Regardless of it’s unique and lovely taste, you would be surprised to know the leaves has a lot of benefits that are very important to our health. They also have antipyretic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and anti-parasitic properties.
Here are some of the benefits the soursop leaves offer.
1. Treats Insomnia
Traditionally, soursop leaves have been used to treat insomnia. The leaves have a smooth muscle relaxant activity and act as sedatives. Taking a glass of soursop leaf tea may also help ease stress.
Soursop leaves treats insomnia, cancer amongst other diseases [Marieclauredogit]
2. Helps to manage diabetes
Soursop leaves have long been believed to help manage diabetes as it lowers the blood sugar level. The mechanism behind this action is the inhibition of enzymes that helps to break down complex carbohydrates into glucose or block its absorption.
3. Aids cancer treatment
Studies prove that antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of the extracts of soursop plant treat cancers of the breast, colon, prostate, lung, blood, liver, cervix, ovary, the mouth, and the skin. The active bio ingredients that may be beneficial are called annonaceous acetogenins (AGEs). These AGEs are involved have some anticancer properties of soursop. They kill cancer cells by inhibiting the mitochondrial complex I, a cancer cell protein.
4. Treatment of rheumatism
Rheumatic diseases are commonly observed in elderly people, causing great pain. Soursop leaves are a natural treatment for pain. For this purpose, mash the soursop leaves until they become smooth and apply on the areas of the body affected by pain due to arthritis and eczema, regularly twice a day.
5. Treats ulcer
Soursop leaves are excellent remedies for ulcer because the substances within soursop leaves reduce inflammation and also act as a painkiller. Additionally, soursop leaves improve our immune system. So that the usual slow healing process of ulcer can be shortened due to an active immune system