Guyabano Health Compositions

Known as Guyabano in the Philippines, Soursop (Annona muricata)  Guanabana or Graviola, is known as large and versatile fruit.  Soursops are highly popular around the world, but not all places have it because it only grows in tropical areas.

The flesh of the fruit consists of an edible white pulp and a core of indigestible black seeds.  Its flavor is described as a combination of pineapple and strawberry with sour citrus flavor notes contrasting with an underlying creamy flavor like that of coconut or banana.

The species is the only member of the genus Annona that is suitable for processing and preservation. The sweet pulp is used to make juice as well as candies, sorbets, and ice cream flavorings.  The flesh of the fruit consist of a white edible pulp that is high in carbohydrates and considerable amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Potassium and dietary fiber.  Guyabano is low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium.

Soursops are believed to have medicinal properties.The diuretic effects of the ripe fruit are commonly used as a remedy for urethritis. The sap of the leaves is also believed to have healing properties, and can be used as a poultice to relieve swelling and eczema.   The fruit, seeds, and leaves have a number of herbal medicinal uses among indigenous peoples of regions where the plant is common.  The tea, fruit, and juice are used medicinally to treat illness ranging from stomach ailments to worms.  Pulverizing the guyabano seeds and mixing it with soap & water is used as effective spray against caterpillars, armyworms and leafhoppers on plants.

Main actions:

• Kills cancer cells.
• Slows tumor growth.
• Kills bacteria and parasites.
• Reduces blood pressure.
• Lowers heart rate
• Dilates blood vessels
• sedates

  Other actions:

• Relieves depression.
• Reduces spasms.
• Kills viruses
• Reduces fever.
• Expels worms.
• Stimulates digestion.
• Stops convulsion

  Toxicity
· Presence of alkaloids anonaine and anoniine have been reported.The bark yields muricine and muricinine and is high in hydrocyanic acid; small amounts are found in the leaves and roots, and a trace in the fruit.
· Caribbean study suggested a connection between consumption of soursop and atypical forms of Parkinson's disease due to the very high concentration of Annonacin