Guyabano (Soursop)


Guyabano or Soursop (Annona Muricata) is a fruit native to Mexico which probably brought to the Philippines by Galleon Traders. It is in the same family as Cherimoya (Atis) and Anonas (Custard Apple)
The fruit has white edible pulp which can be made into juices, ice cream or even candies. But we eat the fruit fresh in the Philippines. The skin is light green in color when ripe and has some spikes but not sharp. The pulp are in segments and some have black seeds that are not edible. The flowers are white and have a very pleasant smell.
The tree can grow from 8 ft. to 25 ft. tall. It can grow from seeds and also by grafting.
Recent researches on this fruit/tree is very positive as a medicine that can be used for cancer treatment and alternative for chemotherapy drugs which only targets the cancer cells itself, not the good ones.
It is also used by local people for infections, intestinal worms and other parasites. It also helps in lowering blood pressure and used as anti-depressant and other nervous disorders.
It has Vitamins B1, B2, and C.