Contents
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF GUANABANA
What is guanabana?
Guanabana, graviola or soursop (Annona muricata) is a tropical fruit native to Central America. It is closely related to cherimoya, which shares some of its medicinal components.
It is used in traditional medicine as a digestive, cholagogue, against hypertension, constipation and obesity.
Currently, it has aroused much interest because of its properties on cancer treatment.
What contraindications does soursop present?
- It is totally contraindicated for pregnant women and during lactation.
- It is not recommended to take infusions of leaves without medical consent. One must be cautious because there have been cases of poisoning, including damage to the nervous system.
- Hypotension: People with hypotension or low blood pressure should not take it.
- Hypertension drugs: It can interfere with the effect of these drugs.
- Parkinson’s disease: It has been reported atypical Parkinson’s cases in Caribbean islands where many fruits of the family Annonaceae are consumed, especially soursop.
- It is believed that this type of Parkinson is induced by ingesting high doses of soursop. The causative component of the disorder would be the alkaloid anonamine.
- It is recommended for people with this disease not to use soursop as it may worsen Pakinson`s symptoms.
- Diabetes: Soursop has hypoglycemic effects. In case of diabetes, it could affect the pattern of medication or cause blood glucose imbalance. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
- Medication: Overall graviola effect on many types of drugs is not known. People taking medications should consult their doctor before taking soursop
*Related information:
– Nutritional benefits of guanabana
More information on guanabana.
This article was endorsed by Montserrat Enrich - Journalist specializing in edible wild plants and plant uses.
