The graviola tree, or Annona muricata, is indigenous to the Amazonian rain forests and Caribbean Islands. Many parts of the graviola tree are used for medicinal benefit. The fruit, called Brazilian pawpaw or soursop, is the most commonly eaten part of the tree, although the seeds, leaves, flowers, roots and bark are also consumed in various ways. Graviola is a popular, albeit controversial, alternative remedy used to combat many types of cancer, despite a lack of human research.
Brief History of Graviola
Various parts of the graviola tree have been used by native peoples for countless generations as natural remedies for asthma, arthritis, parasites, liver conditions and cardiovascular diseases. The scientific studies of graviola within laboratories began in the 1940s and continue today. Studies done in vitro, which means in test tubes and Petri dishes, found that graviola displays a variety of properties that could prove beneficial to people suffering from a range of diseases, including cancer. Despite these promising findings, the health effects of graviola, including its anti-cancer properties, have not been studied within people. As such, the evidence of graviola's benefits is entirely anecdotal.
Potential Cancer Benefits
Researching the anti-cancer properties of graviola began in 1976 when the National Cancer Institute discovered its leaves and stems could kill cancer cells in vitro. Eventually the phytochemicals were isolated and called annonaceous acetogenins. In 1997, studies at Purdue University discovered that amonaceous acetogenins are effective in killing tumors that are resistant to anti-cancer agents, according to Lisa Hark's 2008 book "Medical Nutrition and Disease." A study published in a 2002 edition of the "Journal of Natural Products" found that these phytochemicals in graviola leaves are 10,000 times more toxic to liver cancer cells than a common chemotherapy drug. Acetogenins are believed to disable processes that occur only in cancer cells, which make them selective and not toxic to healthy cells. In animal studies, acetogenins have shown positive results with colon, breast, lung, ovarian, prostate, lymphoma, pancreatic and cervical cancers, according to the 2003 book "Medical Herbalism." Again, there is no clinical proof that graviola is effective at fighting human cancers.
Other Benefits
Many cardiovascular benefits of graviola have been discovered over the years, such as its ability to reduce spasms in blood vessels, vasodilate arteries, reduce blood pressure and balance heart rhythms. The extract of graviola seeds and fruit shows antibacterial and anti-parasitic properties, while the bark is considered an antifungal agent. Graviola fruit is also purported to reduce fevers, mitigate diarrhea, increase production of breast milk during lactation and cause sedation. Sedation is caused by a serotonin uptake inhibitor found in the fruit. All of these properties are exciting, but it is not known exactly how graviola products react within people. Consulting your physician before embarking on any supplement regiment is always recommended.
Types of Graviola Supplements
Graviola extract is made from the flowers, fruit and seeds of the tree and is usually concentrated and easily digested. Graviola tea is usually made from the leaves, bark and roots and is more dilute than extracts. Graviola fruit is still eaten regularly throughout South America and parts of the Caribbean, but it is difficult to find it fresh in North America. Dried fruit can be purchased in health food stores, although it as not as potent as fresh examples.
References
- "Medical Nutrition and Disease: A Case-based Approach"; Lisa Hark; 2008
- "Journal of Natural Products"; New Cytotoxic Monotetrahydrofuran Annonaceous Acetogenins from Annona Muricata; C.C. Liaw et al.; April 2002
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine"; Simon Mills; 1994
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