Health Benefits of Soursop

Nature is the best physician since it provides medicines without any side effects. One such reputed natural 'medicine' is soursop, which is scientifically named as Annona muricata.

Known by different names like graviola, guanabana, Brazilian pawpaw, etc., it is loaded with a number of nutrients and is also used as an alternative medicine to treat various ailments.

According to a study, soursop and cancer cure are related, and this tropical, prickly fruit may prove to be beneficial in controlling the spread of cancer. Not only the fruit, but also the seeds, leaves, bark, and roots of the plant, help in alleviating many a malady.

Soursop, which resembles a custard apple, is a delicious fruit that is heart shaped, and dark green in color when raw. Covered with ridges on the outside and soft, juicy flesh inside, the fruit has a sweet tart taste.

This fruit can be found mainly in the rain forests of Southeast Asia and South America. Nowadays, this plant is cultivated commercially owing to its culinary as well as medicinal purposes.

The white pulp that is found inside the fruit is used for making candies, beverages, and is also used as a flavoring. The leaves, root, bark, and seeds have been incorporated as a traditional remedy for centuries. You can eat the fruit or consume extracts of soursop, available in health food stores, to avail its therapeutic value.

As mentioned earlier, every part of the soursop tree is used to treat a number of physical ailments. This fruit not only promotes good health, but also helps fight against parasites present inside the body.

Since it is loaded with a number of nutrients essential for the overall development of the body, the fruit is made into extract, and is sold in health stores, and even on-line. The nutrients present in soursop are amino acids, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium, carbohydrates, fibers, iron, niacin, phosphorus, riboflavin, and thiamine, etc.

Benefits of soursop, can be availed by eating the fruit or including its supplements in the recommended dosage. You can avail these benefits right from head to toe.

• Ascorbic acid increases the amount of antioxidants in the body. These antioxidants help fight against the free radicals in the body, and help keep a number of infections and disorders at bay.

• This fruit also helps in relieving the pain and discomfort caused due to constipation. Since the fruit contains soluble and insoluble fibers, it adds bulk to the stool and facilitates easy elimination from the body.

• One of the health benefits can be seen in treating mouth ulcers effectively. Finely mashing the leaf with water, and applying it on boils will help decrease the size of the ulcers, in time curing them completely, and also reduce irritation.

• Drinking soursop tea that is made by concocting the leaves or root in water is known to reduce lumbago. Lumbago is a kind of backache, specially in the lower back or lumbar region. A cup of tea everyday will also help relieve the inflammation of the back muscles.

• A pulp made with fresh leaves and rose water if applied to the skin will prevent the occurrence of acne, blackheads, and other skin problems.
• The fruit juice, if consumed twice, daily, can help resolve kidney ailments, liver problems, urinary tract infection, (also referred to as urethritis), and hematuria, (or blood in urine) etc.

• The fleshy part of the fruit, if applied to any wound will speed up the healing process, and also prevent any bacterial infection.
• A decoction of soursop flowers and young shoots, will help cure the inflammation of the sinuses, and also in the throat and nose. It also helps in the secretion of mucus to reduce irritation.

• You can successfully get rid of head lice and bed bugs with the use of leaf decoction. It will not only destroy these pests but also keep them away.
• It is also used as a remedy for cough, diarrhea, fever, and indigestion. Including supplements of soursop will bring down the intensity of these conditions, and also enhance recovery.

To conclude, though a number of health benefits of soursop can be reaped by including this fruit in the diet, it is necessary to remember that it should be consumed in limit, to avoid unnecessary effects on the body system.