Graviola, also called Brazilian pawpaw, soursop, and guanaba, in addition to numerous other names, refers to a particular tree or its fruit. The fruit is green and heart shaped, and about six to eight inches (15.24-20.32 cm) in diameter. The tree is found in South America and on numerous tropical islands and grows best in rainforest climates.
Have you heard about the tropical fruit with amazing powers? Well, the graviola tree is a small, evergreen tree, that produces a large, heart-shaped fruit with many amazing natural curative properties. It grows indigenously in the Amazon region of Brazil as well as in other warm tropical areas of both South and North America. The graviola tree produces a heart-shaped, edible fruit that has a yellowish green outward appearance and a white fleshy interior.
The graviola cancer fighting properties have propelled this natural fruit to ever-increasing worldwide popularity as an alternative treatment to fighting one of the world's most deadly diseases. Graviola cancer treatments have been shown to have great benefits to those who suffer from the disease. Graviola products have been sold for many years to those suffering from a multitude of diseases and ailments. Available in both retail stores and also online, those who chose to buy graviola, will experience the amazing curative powers of this simple plant.
All parts of the fruit are useful in treating different health problems and are helpful in alleviating the pain and suffering brought on by those ailments. Documented use has shown that the leaf, seed, bark, fruit and root all contribute to the treatment of various health concerns and conditions.
The Leaf
Brazil has used the leaf for treating liver problems, arthritis, dysentary, intestinal colic, diarrhea, coughs, bronchitis abscesses and edema. In the Cook Islands, the leaf is used to treat different skin diseases. Ringworm has been successfully treated in Guatemala and Peru has been able to apply the graviola leaf to help with hypertension, internal ulcers and diabetes. Some of the other demonstrated uses in these and other countries include help with difficult child birth, as a tranquilizer, an anti-spasmodic and even to fight off malaria.
The Seed
Acting as an astringent, the seed and seed oil works as an effective insecticide, killing off skin parasites and lice.
The Bark
Guyana has used the bark of the fruit to make a tea that when ingested, acts as a sedative and has soothing properties for those with heart conditions. The tea is also used in Haiti as a cough suppressant and overall relaxant.
The Fruit
From the fruit, there are many uses that have proven very effective. In Jamaica and the West Indies, it has been shown to reduce fevers, get rid of parasites and stop the discomfort of diarrhea.
The Root
Peru is amongst the countries that have demonstrated the effective use of the root to help with diabetes, act as a sedative and also work as an anti-spasmodic agent.
Scientists have been studying the properties of this plant since the 1940s and have published numerous studies on their findings. Perhaps the 1976 plant screening program by the National Cancer Institute was most instrumental in increasing worldwide awareness of this wonder plant. The study showed that the plant's leaves and stem contained active cytotoxic (the ability to kill cells that are not functioning properly) effects against cancer cells without harming other cells. Studies have identified specific phytochemicals and acetogenins that are selectively toxic toward various cancer cells. The inhibition of further growth of cancer cells in lung, prostate, pancreatic, colon and liver cancer has been demonstrated over the years. Graviola treatments has not yet gained full acceptance by the medical community, but ongoing testing by researchers and pharmaceutical companies suggests that there is great promise with this plant.
