Medicinal Uses of the GraviolaThe graviola tree has long been used for medicinal purposes. Its uses are not limited to just the fruit of the tree; but all the portions of the tree including the bark, roots, seeds, stem and leaves are used to treat a variety of ailments. Graviola contains many chemicals that may be active against cancer, as well as disease-causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
It has also been used to treat conditions such as coughs, gastrointestinal disorders and herpes. It can also be made into a paste and applied topically to treat arthritis or skin conditions. The leaves in particular have been used to treat wounds as it has the unique quality of helping to speed up the healing process. The graviola tree has properties that make it desirable for treating a wide variety of ailments. It has long been credited for use as a tonic in many parts of South America, and various parts of the plant are used for treating heart conditions, diabetes, asthma, arthritis and even influenza.
This tropical tree is known for providing many natural remedies including high blood pressure, digestive problems, fever and infections. More recently, the scientific community is starting to take a look at its anti-cancer properties, and this is the aspect that I want to concentrate in this article.Graviola as a Cancer Remedy
As you can see, the graviola has wide variety of medicinal uses over the years, but more recently scientists are taking an in depth look at the potential benefits of the plant’s leaves, seeds and stems. Why? Because of the anti-cancer properties it is displaying. Several studies have already indicated that the compounds found in the graviola plant target cancer cells and kill them. Scientists have concluded that these highly effective compounds can even combat the most drug-resistant cancer cells. And as an added benefit, not only does graviola kill cancer cells; it does so without interfering with or damaging healthy cells.
Although WebMD website mentions that the evidence is still insufficient, it mentions that there is evidence that some chemicals in graviola may kill directly cancer cells and may help anti-cancer drugs work better. Livestrong website mentions that substances found in graviola inhibited the growth or multi-drug resistant-cancer cells, as reported in the June 1997 issue of the “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry”.
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