Soursop Leaves And Its Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is a normal immune response to injury. It’s the body’s way of signaling that the immune system needs to heal and repair damaged tissue and also defend itself against foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Without this response, wounds would fester, and infections could become deadly. However, increasing evidence shows that chronic inflammation could contribute to diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis as well as autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Soursop In Animal Studies

In some animal studies, it was found that soursop and its components may be able to help fight inflammation.

Soursop or Graviola is a tree that grows mostly in tropical regions. It bears a large prickly, heart-shaped green colored fruit with ridges on the outside and has a soft juicy flesh inside. Its leaves have been used as an herbal remedy for many years.

In a study, researchers have identified more than 117 compounds in soursop leaves that have anti-inflammatory properties.

Its leaf extract has been found to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties in rat studies.

When applied topically, the decoction of soursop leaves may help reduce or heal abscesses, wounds, rheumatism, arthritic pain, fever, cystitis, and other inflammatory conditions.

Moreover in rat studies, the leaves can also help heal ulcers, lesions, open wounds, and edema with almost no toxicity.

Aside from this, another study revealed that soursop extracts decrease swelling and alleviate inflammation in rats.

Meanwhile, a research in South America and tropical Africa had emphasized on the anti-inflammatory properties of the roots, barks, and leaves of the soursop tree. Researchers highlighted that the ability to treat inflammation is good in soursop, and it can be used for relieving arthritis symptoms.

Though research is currently limited to animal studies, soursop may be especially beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory disorders like arthritis.