http://healthable.org/what- is-soursop-and- its-benefits/ May 1, 2013

What is Soursop and its Benefits

Kingsley Felix

Soursop is a f ruit that has numerable benef its for our health if included in diet . With theinclusion of this f ruit in our diet , like a dessert or health supplement, a number of ailments canbe cured. Nature is the best physician since it provides medicines without side ef fects. Onesuch reputed natural “medicine” is know as Soursop, which is scient if ically named as AnnonaMuricata. Known by dif ferent names such as graviola, guanabana, Brazilian pawpaw, etc.Soursop is fully loaded with a number of nutrients and is also used as an alternat ive medicineto t reat many diseases. According to research, soursop and cancer cure are related and thistropical, prickly f ruit may prove to be benef icial in controlling the spread of cancer. Not only thefruit , but also the seeds, leaves, dark and roots of the plant, help in the alleviat ing many amalady.

What is Soursop?Soursop, which looks like a custard apple, is a very delicious fruit that is heart shaped and darkgreen in color when raw. Covered with ridges on the outside and soft , juicy f lesh inside, thesoursop fruit has a sweet sour taste. This f ruit can be found mainly in Nigeria. Now this plant iscult ivated commercially owing to its culinary as well as medicinal purposes. The white pulp thatis found inside the fruit is used for making candy, beverages and also used as a f lavoring. Theleaves, root, bark and seeds have been incorporated as a t radit ional remedy for centuries. Youcan eat the f ruit or consume extracts of soursop, available in health food stores, to avail itstherapeut ic value.

Health Benefits of Soursop

Every part of the soursop t ree is used to t reat a number of physical ailments. This f ruit not onlypromote good health but also helps f ight against parasites present inside the body. Since isloaded with a number of nutrients essent ial for the overall development of body, soursop ismade into extract and is sold in health stores and even online. The nutrients present in soursopare amino acids, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), calcium, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus, f ibers,thiamine and ribof lavin, etc. Benef its of soursop can be availed by eat ing the fruit or including

its supplement in the recommended dosage. You can avail of these benef its right f rom head totoe.

Ascorbic acid increases the amount of ant ioxidants in the body. These help f ight against thefree radicals in the body and help keep a number of infect ions and disorders at bay. This f ruitalso helps in relieving the pain and discomfort caused due to const ipat ion. Since the fruitcontains soluble and insoluble f ibers, it adds bulk to the stool and facilitates easy eliminat ionfrom the body.

One of the soursop leaf ’s health benef its can be seen in t reat ing mouth ulcers ef fect ively.Finely mashing the leaf with water and applying it on the boils will help decrease the size of theulcers in t ime curing them completely and also reduce irritat ion. Drinking soursop tea that ismade by concoct ing soursop leaves or root in water is known to reduce lumbago. Lumbago is akind of backache, especially in the lower back or lumbar region. A cup of tea everyday will alsohelp relieve the inf lammation of the back muscles.

A pulp made with f resh soursop leaves and rose water if applied to the skin will prevent theoccurrence of acne blackheads and other skin problems. Soursop fruit juice, if consumed twicedaily can help resolve kidney ailments, liver problems, urinary t ract infect ion (also referred to asurethrit is ) and hematuria (or blood in urine) etc. The f leshy part of the f ruit , if applied to anywound will speed up the healing process and also prevent any bacterial infect ion. A decoct ionof soursop f lowers and young shoots will help cure the inf lammation of sinuses and also in thethroat and nose. It also helps in the secret ion of mucus to reduce irritat ion.

You can successfully get rid of head lice and bed bugs with the use of soursop leaf decoct ion.It will not only there’s pests but can also keep them away. Soursop is also used as a remedy forcough, diarrhea, fever and indigest ion. Including supplements of soursop will bring down theintensity of these condit ions and also enhance recovery.

To conclude, though a number of health benef its of soursop can be reaped by including thisfruit in the diet , it is necessary to remember that is should be consumed in limit to avoidunnecessary ef fects on the body system.