Benefits of Soursop or Graviola
The soursop fruit or also known as graviola or pawpaw from the annona muricata plant was just a fruit that is eaten raw or made into juices, candies, ice cream, fruit bars, sorbets and sweet desserts. That was until the National University of Columbia published a report that confirmed the potential of graviola as an anti-cancer treatment.
The graviola tree is a small evergreen plant that is found in many parts of the world and is a native to sub Saharan African countries, Brazil, Mexico, northern and Central America and the Caribbean. The trees are also grown in South East Asia and in Malaysia the fruits are called durian Belanda. The fruit pulp contains fructose and vitamins B1, B2 and C.
Separate researches and laboratory tests found that graviola fruits, leaves, seeds, barks and twigs contain phytochemicals. The most active compounds are annonaceous acetogenins from the leaves and stems. These acetogenins have shown to be toxic to cancer cells. Besides having anti-tumor or anti-carcinogenic properties, the compounds in graviola also produce antispasmodic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiparasitic, sedative and hypotensive effects.
The findings on graviola benefits have drawn worldwide interest. But the indigenous people of the Amazon have been eating, drinking and using all parts of the graviola plant including the roots long before scientists began studying its effectiveness in 1940.
So here are some of the benefits of soursop, graviola extract and graviola tea. Graviola supplements are produced from the powder extracts obtained from the leaves. Some products include extracts from the stems.
Graviola fruit pulp and seed have been used traditionally as a remedy to treat bowel discomfort, liver and urethra problems.
It is also used to eliminate gastro intestinal tract parasites that can cause bloating, diarrhea and other digestive problems.
The crush leaves contain graviola oil. When combined with the pulp of an unripe soursop and applied topically, the remedy provides relief from arthritis and rheumatic pain and neuralgia which is a sharp and severe pain along a nerve or group of nerves. The crushed leaves can also be used as a compress to treat skin eruptions or inflammations.
Graviola is known as a natural anti cancer supplement. It helps prevent and inhibit abnormal cell growth. One of the studies that was done at Purdue University demonstrated that acetogenins isolated from graviola is many times more potent that a chemotherapy drug called Adriamycin. Soursop also supports healthy cell growth and function and helps strengthen the immune system.
Because of its sedative effect, drinking a cup of graviola tea made from the leaves or bark may help calm your nerves and reduce stress.
Since it has hypotensive properties, graviola extract may support low blood pressure.
Graviola Side Effects
There have not been any reported side effects from eating the raw fruit pulp, drinking the fruit juice or graviola leaf tea. But please check with your physician before taking graviola extract. This is especially if you are pregnant or on prescription medication.
Graviola extract may interact with blood thinning and high blood pressure medications and also anti-depressants. Several studies showed that a chemical called annonacin which is a member of acetogenins present in soursop was also found in patients with Parkinson's disease. However, the relationships between the two have yet to be established.
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