Guyabano is one of the healthiest fruits known to man. The flesh of the
fruit consist of a white edible pulp that is high in carbohydrates
(particularly fructose) and considerable amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin
B1, Vitamin B2, potassium and dietary fiber. Guyabano is low in
cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium. Not only is guyabano a good
health food, it also tastes delicious.
Guyabano is called sour sop in English, guanabana in Spanish, and
graviola in Brazil. To be proven by research and documentation yet, the
claim is that the guyabano tree is called a “miraculous” fruit that
contains natural cancer cells that are 10,000 times stronger than a
chemotherapy. Another claim is that guyabano is effective against
internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure, and is used
for depression, stress and nervous disorders.
Medical Uses
The fruit, seeds, and leaves have a number of herbal medicinal uses in
countries where the plant is common. The sap of the young leaves may be
applied directly on pimples to induce suppuration. The sap is also
considered parasitical. The leaves and roots also cure colic and convulsions.
To reduce fever, a decoction of leaves can be taken internally. It
has the same affect as when leaves are added to bathing water. In the
Caribbean, it is believed that laying the leaves of the guyabano on a
bed below a sleeping person with a fever will break the fever by the
next morning.
The crushed fresh leaves are also applied on skin eruptions for
faster healing. A poultice of young guyabano leaves is applied on the
skin to alleviate rheumatism and other skin infections like eczema.
Applied during the healing of wounds, this can result in less or no skin
scars.
The decoction can also be used as a wet compress on swollen feet and
other inflammations. Poultice of mashed leaves and sap of young leaves
used for eczema and skin eruptions.
The guyabano leaves are believed to have tranquilizing and sedative
properties. In the Netherlands Antilles, the leaves are placed inside
pillows or placed on top of the mattress to induce a good night’s sleep.
Boiling the leaves and drinking may help induce sleep.
There are much publicized studies on the anti-tumor, anti-cancer and
selective toxicity of guyabano against several types of cancer
cells. I will try to post more info regarding this on my next article.
