Soursop, graviola, guanábana

The soursop has an attractive shape and is used as an ornamental tree.

Its fruit (locally known as guanábana) is much appreciated, and is used in sorbets, ice cream and all kinds of sweets. The fruit contains large amounts of vitamins B1, B2 and C. Its fermented pulp is a good wine substitute, and its wood is used to make barrels and pipes.

All parts of the tree have medicinal properties. An infusion made of its leaves is used to relieve gastrointestinal pain and diarrhea, as a sedative and to eliminate intestinal parasites. It helps to treat insomnia and emotional upsets. A decoction of the leaves is used to make poultices to treat sunburn. In the Caribbean, a bath is made from the leaves to calm babies. The seeds are toxic, and are used to make a solution for treating lice. Carob Indians used its fruit to induce lactation. Its pulp soothes stomach ulcers, while its bark and roots have sedative effects and serve as a cardiac tonic.

Caution: recent epidemiological studies in Guadeloupe suggests a link between consumption of soursop and the development of a form of Parkinson's disease.