Graviola is a real miracle from the rainforest. For a long time it has been widely applied by indigenous population to cure various illnesses and diseases. Graviola has been praised for its abilities to fight cancer cells, kill viruses, bacteria and parasites, as well as to lower blood pressure, calm nerves, and prevent depression. This has made Graviola very important and precious in natural herbal medicine.

The scientific researches of Graviola started in the 1940s and they are still underway. The results of the early studies have proved the plant’s antispasmodic (prevents or relieves spasms or convulsions), hypotensive (reduces blood pressure), cardiotonic (balances functioning of heart), and vasodilator properties. The further studies of Graviola extract have shown its antibacterial properties. Moreover, Graviola bark is believed to be a good antifungal agent (destroys fungi parasitic spores). The plant’s seeds are used to kill parasites. Another study proved a leaf extract to be effective against malaria.

In 1997 the scientists have isolated a set of novel alkaloids from the Graviola fruit. These chemicals are thought to be effective antidepressants, but at the same time specialists do not recommend eating too much of this fruit, because the compounds may be neurotoxic and cause atypical Parkinson’s disease.

There is no doubt that the results of the scientific researches mentioned above are very important. Nevertheless, scientists all over the world are more interested in anti-cancerous and anti-tumor properties of Graviola. Researching this Graviola potential started in 1976, when a plant screening program, initiated by the National Cancer Institute, discovered high activity of Graviola leaves and stem in fighting cancer cells. Another researches followed the initial trial and, as a result, the scientists isolated a set of chemicals called annonaceous acetogenins. These substances turned out to have strong anti-cancerous and anti-tumor properties.

Acetogenins are believed to slow down certain processes that take place only in cancer cells. This explains their selective toxicity: acetogenins destroy cancerous cells, but do not harm healthy ones. Furthermore, the researchers from the Purdue University published the statement in 1997, saying that acetogenins had the ability to kill cancerous cells that did not respond to traditional anti-cancer treatment. At the same time, these compounds had some analogy with the resistant cells. Graviola annonaceous acetogenins show positive results in the treatment of colon, breast, lung, ovarian, prostate, lymphoma, pancreatic, and cervical cancers. Acetogenins are said to be 10,000 times stronger in colon cancer cure than traditional adriamycin drug.

Many researches have already proved high effectiveness of Graviola as anti-cancerous and anti-tumor agent, but we still need more and more in vivo studies. Currently, pharmacists try to synthesize annonaceous acetogenins and create a new safe drug. However, some cancer patients do not wait until the final official results of Graviola research and decide to take Graviola extracts in the forms of food supplements.

In addition to all the “miraculous” properties, Graviola is also famous for its sedative properties. This is due to a serotonin uptake inhibitor that is found in the plant’s fruit. It is responsible for the experience of joy and mood elevation.

As you have seen, Graviola, a small tree from the rainforest, demonstrates wonderful healing properties and may be further used as an alternative treatment for many serious diseases.