A Haitian Treasure: Kowosol (Soursop)

Soursop, Annona Muricata, is a plant found in Central America, the Caribbean and some parts of Sub-Saharran Africa.

I've seen this plant all over Haiti during my travels and only knew it as that yummy, half-sweet/half-sour, oddly creamy, massive green fruit, with spikes on the outside and black seeds on the inside.

Little did I know that this popular fruit, known as corossol or kowosol in Haitian Kreyol, and as guanabana in Spanish-speaking countries, is known for having incredible health benefits and is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the Caribbean. The pulp is often eaten directly from the fruit, but it can also be made into a tea, milk, or ice cream, and can form a concentrate by crushing its leaves to form a powder. What makes soursop a "hot topic" fruit is that it is constantly being researched for its proclaimed anti-cancer benefits.

Benefits:

• high amounts of vitamins B1, B2, and C

• mild sedative, diuretic, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, etc.

• there is scientific evidence indicating that soursop's extracts can selectively inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells

• when consumed alone during periods of fasting, it relieves liver ailments and other impurities

Uses:

• can alleviate skin eruptions (including eczema, wounds, and poisonous reactions)

• can prevent UTI's (due to its high levels of vitamin C, which increases the acidity level of urine, which in turn decreases the number of bad bacteria present in the urinary tract)

• can alleviate constipation due to a high level of fiber

The uses are almost endless. It's known as a"miracle fruit" in many countries in the Caribbean. What a fruit! Can't wait to eat this up during my next trip to Haiti.