Soursop (Annona muricata L.), also known as Durian Blanda, Custard Apple, belongs to the Annonaceae family and is a tropical fruit tree well adapted to warm and humid environments.
The species thrives in lowland tropical areas and performs well under a wide range of conditions, including regions that experience relatively high rainfall and moderate dry spells, such as Malawi.
Annona muricata is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly in Central and South America (its center of origin), the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and across many African countries.
Soursop is among the fruit tree species that have gained increasing attention for their domestication and commercialization potential in tropical Africa due to their nutritional, medicinal, and economic value, although the plant is considered to be neglected or underutilized.
In Southern Africa, including Malawi, the promotion of indigenous fruit tree species has to be encouraged to enhance food security, nutrition, and income generation at household and community levels. In Malawi, Annona muricata is commonly known as “Sawasawa” (locally also referred to as soursop), and it is mainly grown in homesteads and smallholder farming areas.
The tree plays multiple roles in agroforestry and farming systems, including provision of fruits for food and nutrition, shade, medicinal products, and income generation.
See The fruits of Annona muricata are rich in carbohydrates, vitamins (especially vitamin C and B-complex), minerals, and bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. These attributes highlight its importance in improving dietary diversity and health.
Consequently, Annona muricata has significant potential to contribute to socio-economic development by enhancing livelihoods, promoting value addition, and supporting poverty reduction among rural communities in Malawi and the wider region.
Many patients who are struggling with different diseases like hypertension are considering using this as part of the medication process. Much as it is on record that AIDS has no cure, soursop increases in assisting to raise defences
in patients with HIV (AIDS) and laboratory studies show it can interfere with HIV-1 replication in test tube settings, but there is no compelling clinical evidence to support its use as primary treatment for HIV infection in humans.
On the economic side of it, a lot of people are making money by selling the soursop herbs.
What is interesting is that sometimes herbals can do wonders for someone afflicted by curing them completely but at a very low cost value of money.
Unanimously, apart from the publications, many people from different parts of the world do agree on how soursop has positively touched their lives and transforms the lives..
How can you know that this is soursop
It has a greenish somehow thorn peel. It has also a leathery dark green skin which usually goes to a bit yellowish colour when it is about to ripe. Above all ask those who know well about it.
Size
Usually soursop fruits grow between 10 to 35 Centimeters long and come in an oval shape.
Interior Flesh
When it is cut open, it reveals creamy that is white fibrous and the juicy pulp
There are many glossy seeds BUT it is not allowed to consume them because they are toxic. These seeds may be dangerous because of poisonous element in them
See also SOURSOP TEA
Soursop tea is made of herbal leaves from the soursop plant. The benefits are that it improves the digestive system, controls blood sugar levels, controls blood pressure, it is antioxidant and anti -inflammatory.
Despite this development, human research is yet to confirm about this. It is important to be realistic by avoiding high doses due to potential potential neurotoxicity (annonacin)
Benefits of Soursop Tea
Traditional uses include aiding sleep which is deep and sound. There is also a high belief that soursop tea supports weight loss through metabolism and appetite loss.
While there are several benefits of the soursop tea leaves, it is important that pregnant women, breast feeding wom en should consult a Doctor.
Weight Loss And Management.
The existence of fibres and appetite regulation properties have huge potential to help and support the chances of losing weight.
Digestive Aid
This tea is believed to reduce acid, improves digestion and can soothe and relax stomach discomfort.
Stress Reduction And Sound Sleep.
Calming compounds may help in the process of promoting peaceful and restful sleep.
Reduces conditions like arthritis
May assist in helping reduce inflammation which may cause conditions of arthritis and other related complications.
Things to be Considered and Possible Risks
There is no real acceptable dosage as to how the medication should be taken since most of the dosages are on assumptions.
How To Use
Simmer or soak 2 to 3 dried leaves in water for about 5-10 minutes.
It can be mixed with honey or lemon in hot or just chilled water.
Usually, this can be done for a month (30 days) then 10 days off.
Please always be conscious by consulting medical expert’s before using the herbs
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