Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Soursop (Annona muricata), also known as graviola, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially in tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Traditional healers have used soursop leaves, seeds, and fruit pulp to address a variety of ailments, including parasitic infections such as lice, worms, and other intestinal parasites. The rationale comes from empirical observations and anecdotal reports rather than scientific validation.

Some laboratory studies have identified acetogenins and other bioactive compounds in soursop that exhibit antiparasitic activity in vitro (in test tubes or petri dishes), but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. While these findings provide a plausible mechanism for traditional uses, the evidence remains preliminary and insufficient to recommend soursop as a proven antiparasitic therapy. Most of the support for soursop’s antiparasitic activity is rooted in ethnobotanical surveys and folk medicine rather than rigorous scientific evaluation.

In summary, soursop is traditionally used to support or treat parasitic infections, and there is limited laboratory evidence of antiparasitic properties, but high-quality clinical data are lacking. Therefore, its use for parasites is justified primarily by tradition, with a low to moderate evidence rating.

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