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 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
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 ].

Fuel  Insecticide  Insecticide  Parasiticide  Wood

Other uses rating: Low (2/5). Seaside, Backyard Tree, Screening, Large Container, Courtyard, Conservatory, Xerophytic. Agroforestry Uses: Sour sop is suitable for intercropping between larger fruit trees like mango or avocado. When these achieve crown closure the sour sops can be removed[ 404 ]. Other Uses A powder of the dried leaves and sap from fresh ones are useful in destroying vermin[ 303 ]. A powder or oil from the seeds has been used to kill lice and bedbugs[ 303 ]. All tree parts have insecticidal properties and can also be used, with fruit as bait, to kill fish[ 303 ]. The heartwood is brown; the sapwood is whitish. The wood is soft, light (specific gravity of 0.4), not durable[ 303 ]. It is rarely used as a construction timber but has been used for ox yokes[ 303 , 404 ]. The wood makes a suitable fuel[ 404 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest