Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. While in certain cases, the disease is curable; in others, it is terminal. However, scientists and researchers continue to look for a cure and treatment that prevents recurrence, which is quite common among patients.
While, as of now, there isn't a single, guaranteed cure for all types of cancer, time and again, researchers find some hope in certain natural compounds. One such remedy is soursop leaves, known for their potential medicinal properties, particularly in traditional medicine.
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What Are Soursop Leaves?
Soursop leaves, also known as Graviola or Guanabana leaves, grow on the soursop tree (Annona muricata), a tropical evergreen native to the Americas. These leaves are traditionally used in herbal medicine for a variety of purposes, including treating infections, boosting the immune system, and potentially even having anticancer properties.
Can Soursop Leaves Cure Cancer?
In recent years, several claims suggesting that soursop leaves can cure cancer have grabbed people's attention. Soursop contains acetogenins, a class of natural compounds known for their diverse biological activities, including potential anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Additionally, it boasts of alkaloids, flavonoids and vitamins, which have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, and anti-proliferative properties, making them ideal candidates for cancer treatment, according to the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Biology.
An old 1997 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry found that soursop compounds were more effective than chemotherapy in destroying breast cancer cells.
Another 2016 study published in the Scientific Reports showed that soursop depicted anticancer activity on prostate cancer cells. However, the study was conducted on mice, not humans.
A more recent study published in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences found that the natural fungi living inside soursop (Annona muricata L.) leaves may hold promise in the fight against cervical cancer. Researchers extracted compounds from these endophytic fungi and tested them on cervical cancer cells in the lab. One strain, called Sir-SM2, showed strong cancer-killing effects on HeLa cells while causing much less harm to healthy cells. On closer analysis, this fungus was identified as Penicillium crustosum.
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How To Include Soursop Leaves In Your Diet
Soursop leaves can be included in your diet primarily through tea preparation. To make soursop leaf tea, boil 4-6 fresh or dried leaves in 4 cups of water for a few minutes, then steep for 10 minutes.
You can add honey or sugar for sweetness. Soursop leaves can also be used to make infusions and poultices, a soft substance that you spread on a cloth and put on the skin to reduce pain or swelling.