Sour Sop

Annona muricata

Physical Characteristics

Annona muricata is an evergreen Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Flies, Beetles, Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

S. America - northern S. America, southern Central America, Caribbean.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked. Juicy and refreshingly acid[ 301 ]. The fruit has a pineapple like aroma, but its subacid to acid flavour is unique and the pulp is very juicy and rich in vitamin A and C[ 317 ]. The fruits are consumed fresh for dessert when fully ripe or mixed with ice cream or milk to make a delicious drink[ 303 ]. Immature fruits, harvested when the seeds are still soft, are cooked as a vegetable in soups etc[ 301 , 303 , 306 ]. The most desirable characteristics of the fruit are its extremely pleasing fragrance and flavour[ 303 ]. The ovoid fruit is up to 20 x 10cm[ 200 ] and can weigh 1 kilo[ 306 ]. Young shoots - cooked[ 301 ]. Eaten as a vegetable[ 317 ]. A tea, called corossol tea, is made from the leaves[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antianxiety Antibacterial Antidiarrhoeal Antifungal Antirheumatic Antiscorbutic Antispasmodic Cardiac Cardiotonic Carminative Cytotoxic Dysentery Febrifuge Hypotensive Malaria Narcotic Parasiticide Sedative Skin Uterine tonic Vasodilator Vermifuge Sour sop is often used in traditional medicine. Research has shown that it is antimalarial, uterine stimulant, anticrustacean, antiparasitic, cytotoxic (acetogenins), cardiac depressant, antiamoebic, antibacterial, antifungal, hypertensive, spasmogenic, vasodilator, insecticide, smooth muscle relaxant[ 311 ]. The plant contains isoquinoline alkaloids including reticuline[ 348 ]. The seed contains galactomannan, sitosterol, stigmasterol and cholesterol[ 348 ]. The leaves are antispasmodic, calmative, narcotic[ 348 ]. The crushed leaves are used as a remedy for distension and dyspepsia, scabies and skin diseases, rheumatism, coughs and colds[ 303 ]. A decoction, often combined with Ludwigia erecta, is used to treat hypertension and heart conditions such as palpitations[ 348 ]. A decoction of the leaves, combined with the leaves of avocado (Persea americana) is drunk as an antihypertensive[ 348 ]. The leaves may also be used to make a decoction, which is taken orally with salt for digestive tract ailments and to relieve fatigue[ 303 ]. The pungent leaves are well-known for their sleep-inducing properties - they can be taken in an infusion, or simply placed under the pillow[ 307 ]. Applied externally, the crushed leaves are used to maturate boils and abscesses[ 303 ]. A massage of the leaves is good for remedying nervous shock[ 303 ]. The fruit is antiscorbutic, febrifuge, mildly antidysenteric and a good vermifuge[ 348 ]. It is used to treat bedwetting in children[ 348 ]. A decoction is used to remedy excess foot and hand perspiration[ 348 ]. The fruit is used to make a tonic that is used for treating fever, headache, hypertension, and heart problems[ 348 ]. A crushed leaf and seed decoction is taken orally for intestinal malaise[ 303 ]. The leaves and bark are cardiotonic and sedative[ 348 ]. A decoction is used for treating anxiety attacks[ 303 ]. The green bark is rubbed on wounds to stop bleeding[ 303 ]. Flower or flower bud tea is mixed with honey for colds, chest pain and nerve disorders[ 303 ]. The bark and young fruits, which contain tannin, are used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery[ 303 ]. The green bark is rubbed on wounds to stop bleeding[ 404 ]. The seed is an ingredient in a remedy for treating convulsions[ 348 ].

Known Hazards

The seeds are toxic[ 307 ]. The stems contain an irritant sap[ 348 ]