What is guanabana?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
January 26, 2004
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The guanabana (Annona muricata Linnaeus) is a member of the Annonaceae, the custard apple family. Guanabana [gwah nah' bah nah] has a peak season, but continues flowering providing some fruit year round. According to Julia Morton (1987), varieties are classified by taste--sweet, subacid, or acid, by shape--round, oblong, angular, or heart-shaped, and by consistency--soft and juicy or firm and dry. The fruit is eaten fresh, immature and cooked, or made into various juice drinks or desserts.
During colonial times, the wood was used for ox yokes since it was lightweight, nonabrasive, and did not injure the animals' necks. The wood was also made into staves for barrels. The bark was sometimes used for
tanning hides and fibers from the bark could be twisted into cordage.
Guanabana contains a number of alkaloids, anonaine, anoniine, muricine and muricinine, along with hydrocyanic acid and a yellow oil that acts as an irritant poison. The toxins are found in all plant parts except the fruit. The seeds have a high concentration and are always removed before eating. The pulverized seed worked into hair kills head lice (Pediculosis capitis). Mixed with soapy water and sprayed on crops is effective against armyworms, leafhoppers, and caterpillars. A decoction of the leaves is fatal to bedbugs (Cimex species) and lice.
The leaves added to bath water is said to reduce fevers in children and crushed leaves laid over eruptions is reputed to heal the skin. The leaves are also considered to prevent proudflesh, the excessive scarring caused during wound healing by abnormal granulated skin tissue.
The leaves are felt to have tranquilizing, soporific (sleep causing), analgesic, and sobering properties. Leaves were placed in pillowcases or strewn on bedcovers to bring a good night's sleep and relieve pain. Morton reported that broken leaves and lime juice in water, rubbed on a drunk's head is said to make him "sober as a judge in no time".
(Compiled from: "Soursop, Annona muricata" Fruits of Warm Climates, Julia F. Morton, 1987; Folklore and Culture of Tobago, Flora of Tobago; and "Pesticides" Community Integrated Pest Management of Asia)
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