by Dr. Rahsan Abdul Hakim
Somewhere along our journey between Africa, The Caribbean and The United States, we’ve lost some of our roots, traditional culture and wisdom from our Ancient African Forefathers. In Ancient Africa Herbalism, the healing spirits of the herbs are used to heal one physically, mentally and spiritually. Just by being in the physical presence of the herbs or trees, the medicinal properties of the plants are transmitted directly into the body by the plants without you having to pick a leaf, flower or any part of the plant.
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Soursop Annona MuricataTree is native to the West Indies and Central America. It also grows in the Sub-Sahara regions of Africa, and in most frost free areas of the Americas, Asia and Hawaii. The delicious fruit of the Soursop has a leathery, somewhat spiky outer skin; the inside looks somewhat like plump wet cotton. The fruit comes with about 50 to 75 shiny black seeds. The leaves, fruit and seeds and bark are all used for various purposes. The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into Soursop nectar or a dairy-free ice cream. Nutritionally it is rich in Vitamins B-1, B-12, and B-Complex, Vitamin-C, Calcium, and rich in carbohydrates.
Traditional Uses: In the West Indies and Latin America a common bush tea is made and taken daily by both children and adults as a nerve tonic especially for restlessness; it is calming and is also used for depression and high blood pressure. The leaves are strewn around beds and pillows to bring on restful, peaceful sleep. The crushed leaves are used instead of smelling salts to revive one from a fainting spell.
In Jamaica, the leaves are also used for kidney and all gall bladder problems and to eliminate inorganic calcium deposits in the joints, rheumatism, and to aid digestion and can be used in the treatment of diarrhea and vomiting. In the Bahamas a remedy for a high blood pressure is made by adding 15 leaves to a pint of boiling water. One cupful is taken in the morning and another s taken at night. The crushed leaves are used as a poultice for wounds, sores and all skin eruptions. A tea of the dried fruit is commonly used for dysentery and jaundice. The fruit is eaten for liver conditions.
In Trinidad, a tea of the leaves is taken for flu, insomnia and to relieve burning urine. In Costa Rica the crushed leaves are rubbed on the legs to repel chiggers and other body parasites; it is also used to repel bed bugs and head lice. The shiny black seeds can be powered and used as an insecticide and fish poison.
The National Cancer Institute performed the first ever scientific research on the possibility of Soursop cancer cure and prevention in the year 1976. Results showed that Soursop leaves and stems were found quite effective in attacking and destroying the malignant cells. Also, a study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at the Catholic University of South Korea, stated that a certain chemical found in Soursop can selectively kill colon cancer cells at almost ‘ten thousand times the potency of drugs commonly used for chemotherapy. It selectively targets only the harmful cancer cells, while it leaves behind healthy cells of the body untouched.
The wild Soursop Annona Montana is smaller but has the same properties and medicinal use.
Let’s get back to our roots and culture! Peace and Blessings.
