Ethno-Botanical Uses of Graviola

Graviola tree is found in warm tropical regions. This evergreen relatively small sized tree bears heart shaped edible fruit with white flesh. Not only the fruit of this plant but the leaves, bark, stem, roots and seeds all are considered extremely valuable medicinally. The ethno-botanical uses of the Graviola plant are numerous and it has been extensively used in traditional herbal remedies. Over the centuries tribal healers and medicine men have attributed several properties to the Graviola Plant. It is believed to be anticonvulsant, digestive, hypotensive, nervine, antispasmodic, sedative, antipyretic, antiparasitic and anthelmintic in nature. The use of Graviola is not associated to a particular region or tribe; in fact the use of this plant is extensive and found in many regions. Records show that Graviola was used as an important part of herbal medicine in Amazonia, West Indies, Barbados, Togo, Borneo, Suriname, Brazil, Peru, Cook Islands, Malaysia, Curacao, Madagascar, Dominica, Jamaica, Guatemala, Haiti, Guyana and Guam. The traditional uses of the Graviola plant were numerous. Different parts of this plant were used for different ailments. The flower of this plant was believed to be helpful for bronchitis and cough. Problems like colitis, parasites, diarrhea, fevers, dysentery, mouth sores, hydropsy and lactogogue were treated with the fruit of the Graviola Plant. The fruit also possesses tranquilizing properties. Seeds of the plant were considered affective for astringent, emetic, carminative, head lice, insecticide, skin parasites, parasites, worms. The bark of the tree was asthma, asthenia, difficult child birth, coughs, hypertension, parasites, diabetes and as a heart tonic. It was believed to possess sedative properties. The leaf of the plant was used for a variety of different problems including arthritis and rheumatism in which the leaf is crushed mixed with olive oil and applied externally. It relieved symptoms of bronchitis, colic cough, asthma, and asthenia and was considered potent enough to fight ulcers and infections. It took care of parasites, worms, diarrhea, dysentery, indigestion, liver problems, gall bladder disorders, nervousness, palpitation, hypertension, malaria, diabetes, edema, lactogogue, grippe, fever and various skin disorders were treated with the leaf of Graviola Plant. The roots of the plant were specially used for diabetes and spasms and used as sedatives. As these miraculous properties of the plant gained attention and researches were conducted it was discovered that the plant produces a set of phytochemicals known as the Annonaceous Acetogenins. These chemicals have powerful anticancer and antitumor properties and are hailed as a miracle for cancer patients. The acetogenins show powerful cytotoxity towards various kinds of cancer cells and illuminate them. Researches prove that these chemicals are much more potent than the currently use chemotherapy drugs and do not harm healthy cells like the chemotherapy drugs do causing hair loss and extreme nausea. When the miraculous qualities of plant were uncovered the, Raintree Company invested efforts to research about these properties and verify them along with other government and non government institutes. They prompted the indigenous population of Brazil to harvest the plant in huge areas. The company soon formulated the supplement Graviola Max by blending the pulp of leaves and stem of the Graviola Plant. Due to its 100% purity and top quality the Graviola Max supplement is not only used by victims of cancer but for general health.