Help Boost The Immune System with Soursop (Guyabano)

Soursop is a tropical tree that is also known as custard apple, Graviola and guyabano. Its fruit or the juice or tea made from its leaves has been found to be able to help treat various health problems such as diabetes, asthma, colds, arthritis, diarrhea, digestive problems, fever, high blood pressure, and anxiety.

How Does It Boost Our Immunity?

Soursop is a great way to protect our bodies from various diseases. Its fruit has bioactive compounds that can help enhance our immunity.

According to studies, the juice of soursop fruit has more micronutrients than its pulp. However, its pulp is packed with more vitamin A than its juice. Aside from this, experts found that it also contains significant levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) which plays a huge part in strengthening and boosting our immune system, thus lowering our risk of various diseases.

In a separate study conducted by researchers from The University of West Indies, results revealed that patients with different forms of cancer experienced an improved immune system after they were given soursop.

A 2015 study found that the leaves of the plant have active ingredients - including kaempferol, rutinoside, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside - which can enhance the immune activity in macrophage cells due to the activation of certain pathways. In addition to this, a 2016 research article published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that “bioactive properties of Graviola (soursop) indicate its potential as a health-promoting ingredient to boost the immune system.”

Soursop will not only protect us against common colds. Its extracts contain flavonoids, steroids, and alkaloids that are effective against parasites and viruses like herpes simplex virus-1.

Consumption Of Soursop

The fruit can be eaten with a spoon, but it is often used as a blended ingredient. We can extract its juice by pressing the deseeded pulp through a sieve, colander or cheesecloth.

Another way of enjoying soursop’s health benefits is by making a tea out of its leaves.

Materials needed:

One 8 oz. cup of shredded fresh or air-dried soursop leaves

One liter of water

Procedure:

Boil the water in a saucepan and add the shredded guyabano leaves and turn down the heat to low. Let simmer the leaves for 20 minutes and then turn off the stove. Wait for the tea to cool down. Consume it.

NOTE:

Fresh or air-dried leaves can be used in this tea. However, with air-dried leaves, the medicinal properties of the plant are concentrated due to the drying process, thus making it more effective.

Avoid sun drying or over-drying the leaves because the heat will cook the medicinal and nutritive values of the leaves, causing them to lose their potency.

It is recommended to make a tea that is only enough for the day since its potency lasts only for 7 to 8 hours.