15 Health Benefits Of Soursop Leaves And All You Need To know
Soursop leaves come with various benefits. In this post, you will find everything you need to know, including the benefits of soursop leaves.
Did you know?
Soursop is a fruit with the scientific name “Annona muricata” it can also be called Guanabana, Guyabano, Paw-Paw, Sirsak, Sasalapa, and Graviola. Among its various names, soursop in Sri Lanka is called “Katy Anodha.”
If you must plant the leaf, you must know this: “Soursop is adapted to areas of high humidity and relatively warm winters; temperatures below five degrees Celsius 5 °C, forty-one degrees Fahrenheit (41 °F) will cause damage to leaves and small branches, and temperatures below 3 °C (37 °F) can be dangerous.
Soursop fruit becomes dry and is no longer good for concentration.
It has a smell similar to that of pineapple; the flavor of the soursop 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.
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Origin of Soursop
Soursop, like other leaves and trees, belongs to a family. It is a member of the Annonaceae family; a fruit that is known to grow on trees. Soursop is usually large and in an oval shape. It can be identified by its colour which is green on the outside with spikes. Rich in fiber, soursop is considered to be fibrous and white-fleshed with seeds.
Soursops typically grow to be 8 inches. That is, it can also be identified with its length which does not exceed 8 inches.
Uses Of Soursop Leaves
Some of the common uses for soursop leaves include using them for native or traditional medicine; they can be used traditionally as herbs in treating various types of health challenges.
Soursop leaves are also known to be rich in Vitamin C, which fights against harmful substances in the body. Soursop leaves naturally serve as antioxidants, as well as boost the human immune system.
We can as well add that, soursop leaves are anticancer-fighting against cancer, and anti-hypertensive-fighting against hypertension.
With soursop leaves consumption, cancer and hypertension can be minimal.
Soursop Scientific Name, Order, Family, Kingdom, and Genus
Here is the scientific name, order, family, kingdom, and genus of soursop leaves.
Scientific name : Annona muricata
Order: Magnoliales
Family: Annonaceae
Kingdom: Plantar
Genus: Annona
15 Health Benefits of Soursop Leaves
We have compiled some 15 benefits of soursop leaves for you.
1. Antioxidants
Sometimes we consume some harmful substances either through drinks or foods. Soursop leaves contain antioxidant properties which help in neutralizing harmful and dangerous substances.
Based on research, scientists have said that soursop leaves can help fight chronic diseases caused by harmful compounds. These leaves help in preventing cell damage and reduce other risks of chronic diseases in the human body.
2. Anti-Parasitic
With soursop leaves, parasites can be controlled. Parasites are dangerous and harmful to humans; they cause sicknesses such as malaria which is very common in Africa.
Research shows that where soursop is planted, reports of parasitic infections are very low.
In developed countries like the US, some parasitic conditions include pinworms, toxoplasmosis, and gastrointestinal infections. In combating these infections, soursop tea is administered. The tea can be brewed when two soursop leaves are placed in hot water for at least 10 minutes to simmer.
After this, remove the leaves from the brew before serving. The short brewing time gives you enough flavor and soursop concentration to cleanse your gut of parasitic worms and restore your gastrointestinal system to optimal function.
3. Skin Radiance
Soursop leaves are highly beneficial to skin radiance. Not only do they enhance skin balance, but they are also known to treat certain skin diseases including psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
The leaves and fruit can help treat these skin diseases.
4. Weight Loss
In losing or shedding some weight in the body, Soursop leaves are highly recommended.
The leaves help in burning calories and reduce fat and body weight. This can be achieved by drinking a cup of Soursop leaves daily.
5. Fertility
Fertility means the ability to reproduce. Soursop leaves are useful for both male and female fertility. As a man, Soursop leaves help boost fertility, while the woman’s ovulation and menstruation are well regulated.
It is positively recommended with guava leaves for good fertility results.
6. Treats Fibroids
Soursop leaves are said to help in treating fibroids. Though this claim hasn’t been backed scientifically, however, it is still considered to be effective against fibroid. 15 Health Benefits Of Soursop Leaves
7. Constipation
Have you found yourself in a position of discomfort, unable to use the toilet? Soursop leaves’ tea help in easing the bowel; they help in bowel movement, relieving all forms of constipation.
A cup of soursop leaves tea moderately taken daily for one week is enough to perform the magic.
8. Anti-Cancer
Soursop leaves have some effects on cancer; the cytotoxic effects that are found in chemotherapy and radiation. It is said to be effective in destroying cancerous cells.
The leaves are effective on different types of cancer including skin cancer, liver, and lungs.
9. Inflammation
With different types of inflammatory diseases out there, getting Soursop leaves close might just be great!
Soursop leaves help treat inflammation and oxidative stress. Rich in antioxidants, the leaves are brewed into a tea and consumed as required or directed.
10. Healthy Sperm Count
Not all sperms are healthy; some are low sperm count. For this reason, Soursop leaves can help boost sperm count, help in sperm quality and promote the production of healthy sperms.
11. Increases the Functionality of the Muscles
Soursop leaves helps the way the human muscle functions. Consuming its leaves can increase the functionality of the muscles by giving them potassium and calcium.
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12. Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases can be prevented with Soursop leaves. The soursop fruit or Graviola tree leaves are also used to treat stomach ailments, fever, gout, chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis, parasitic infections, hypertension, and rheumatism.
These chronic diseases are fought off and countered by some people using Soursop leaves.
13. Anti-Diabetic
High consumption of sugary drinks and foods has resulted in a diabetic society. Since the consumption of sugary foods is something that everyone is bound to do at one point or the other, getting a way to control our blood sugar should be sought after.
Certain ingredients in soursop leaves include phytochemicals, which help to regulate blood glucose levels and prevent spikes.
Hence, maintaining a healthy blood sugar level is important because it can help protect the vessels that supply blood to important organs, such as the heart.
14. Immune System
The immune system must be well taken care of. It is regarded that Soursop leaves contain Vitamin B1, Zinc, and selenium able to give the immune system huge boosts and prevent infections.
Not only will it boost the immune system, but also have the capacity to fight diarrhoea, acting as a probiotic.
15. Aids Respiration
Difficulty in breathing can result from poor respiration. Soursop helps the respiratory organs by making breathing in and out easy. Soursop leaves can be brewed as a tea to strengthen the human respiratory organs.
Having said that, amongst many other things soursop leaves are recognized for, Vitamin B1 and B2, including magnesium are derived from the leaves known to reduce weaknesses, tiredness, and fatigue in the body.
Soursop Caution
Everything good must never be abused. If you are pregnant, do not consume soursop as this may lead to miscarriage, loss of pregnancy, and other forms of defects in pregnancy. They can also cause other effects such as uterine contractions.
Avoid soursop during pregnancy.
Are there other benefits you think we missed out in this post? Do well to add them to the comment section.
