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Botanical illustration of Soursop

Plate XI · Fruit & leaf

Soursop

Annona muricata

A spiky green tropical fruit with creamy white flesh, and a leaf long brewed as a tea in Caribbean and Latin American folk practice.

Type
Fruit & leaf
Family
Annonaceae
Origin
Tropical Americas and the Caribbean

Soursop grows on a small evergreen tree native to the tropical Americas and the Caribbean. Its large green fruit is covered in soft spines and holds creamy white flesh with a flavour often described as a mix of pineapple, strawberry and citrus. It is also known as guanábana in Spanish and graviola in Portuguese.

How soursop is prepared

The fruit is eaten fresh or blended into juices and ice creams, while the leaves are dried for teas and herbal preparations. In ASPHODEL Soursop Bitters, soursop leads a liquid formula alongside senna, sea moss, turmeric and ginger.

Tradition, research, and what is established

We keep these three things separate, because they are not the same.

Traditional use

In Caribbean, Central and South American folk practice, soursop leaves are brewed as a tea and the fruit is enjoyed fresh or as a drink. It is one of the best-known botanicals in Caribbean bush-tea and bitters traditions.

Preliminary research

Soursop contains plant compounds including flavonoids and a group called annonaceous acetogenins. Laboratory studies have explored these compounds, but well-controlled human trials are lacking.

Established

The fruit naturally provides vitamin C and fibre. Studies on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe have linked heavy, long-term consumption of soursop and related fruits to an atypical form of parkinsonism, which researchers associate with annonaceous acetogenins. For that reason, avoid excessive or prolonged use and follow the label.

Reading a supplement label

On a supplement label, look for three things: the scientific name (Annona muricata), the part used (typically the leaf or fruit), and the amount per serving listed in the Supplement Facts panel. Those details, taken from the supplier's documentation, tell you more about a product than any marketing claim.

Soursop in the ASPHODEL collection

In the ASPHODEL collection, you will find this ingredient in ASPHODEL Soursop Bitters. Each product page lists its ingredients and label details from verified supplier documentation, and the Botanical Journal explores the history and research behind the plants we work with.

Further reading on soursop

Botanical reference: Annona muricata on Wikipedia

This page is educational and describes the history and characteristics of a botanical. It is not medical advice and does not describe the effects of any ASPHODEL product.

Find it in

Products with Soursop

All ingredients