Scientific Name: Annona Muricata
Parts Used: Leaves, Fruit
Another Name:
Guanabana, Graviola, Anona De Broquel, Sour sop, Pobox,
Sinini, Sorsaka, Guanaba
Properties:
Nervine, Vermifuge
Body Parts Affected:
Nervous System, Kidney, Gall Bladder
Uses:
In Jamaica, Graviola leaves are usually boiled
in a tea and taken to calm the nerves and induce
sleep. It acts as a tranquilizer. It is also
used as a remedy for asthma and for kidney or
gall bladder trouble. It has been used by
hypertensive persons to lower blood pressure.
Sometimes, it is used to treat colds, fevers and
chills. It can be used to rid the body of worms.
Crushed leaves are sometimes applied to wounds
and sores in the form of a poultice.
Additionally, the crushed leaves have been used
like smelling salts to deter fainting or revive
someone who has fainted. The fruit is said to
help bladder weakness in children especially if
the heart is eaten. It is used as an astringent and for gout and
stomach pains
History/Tradition:
This plant is native to the West Indies. In
Jamaica, the white flesh of the fruit is made
into a refreshing drink usually sweetened with
milk or sugar. Sometimes it is made into sours
op nectar, dairy-free ice-cream and
sherbets. The fruit is rich in vitamins B and C,
calcium and minerals. The tea of the leaves,
sweetened with honey, is widely taken in Jamaica
to calm the nerves.
It is used as an Antidote for poison, as a
bath, and for bedwetting.
Benefits: Graviolar Leaves help to regulate the nervous
system and relieve insomnia. It lowers the blood
pressure and has been helpful to persons
suffering from kidney and gall bladder problems.
It is beneficial to persons suffering from
colds, fevers and worms. It is also a good
first-aid remedy in cases of fainting or
wounding.
Notes:
Avoid getting into eyes. The seeds are toxic.
They have been powdered and used as
insecticide.
Family Name:
Annonaceae
Herb #: HRB-213
Name: Graviola
Price: $14.25
Format: 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz and bulk
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Write Your Own Review!
I am a RN with the VSN Service, I observed one
of my patient home attendant drinking this sweet
smelling tea. Curious enough I asked her if it
was a brew from her island and what's the name
of the tea. She told me it was her father
blood pressure tea and it was called sour sop
leaves. I am now hooked, so is my brother, who
"used" to have blood pressure problem.
"Darlene Kump, Houston, Texas"
Resources:
Popular Uses of Common Jamaican Herbs/Medicinal Food Journal -- Edwin "Ras Makara" Lawson
Natural Healing with Herbs --- Humbart Santillo, N.D. cpy.1984
Notes on Jamaica Ethnobotany -- Martha Warren Beck -- 1922
Jamaican Herbs -- Diane Robertson
Flowering Plants of Jamaica -- C.D. Adams, UWI
Wild Flowers of Jamaica -- Alex D. Hawkes, Brenda C. Sutton
Atlas of Medicinals Plants of Middle America, Bahamas to Yucatan -- Julia F. Morton
Home Health-Care Guide (Jamaican and Medicinal Herbs) -- Winston and Ethel Monroe
Dr. Winklet Gallimore / Scientific Research Council - Jamaica
Dr. Sylvia Mitchell / University of the West Indies - Bio-Technology Department
Name:
Graviola