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Also known as graviola and soursop, custard apple is a native perennial fruit that’s native to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. It originated in Peru and has many beneficial nutritional and health properties. Find out whatcustard apple or soursop fruit can be used for in the following article. Characteristics of custard apple or soursop Custard apple or soursop fruit is made up of mostly water, and the pulp contains dozens of nutrients – among them are high levels of vitamin C, which helps maintain healthy and balanced levels of the body’s antioxidants. This fruit also contains protein, mineral salts, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and lipids. It’s also helpful to know that it has a high caloric content because of the carbohydrates it contains, so if you’re dieting you’ll want to eat this in moderation Still, custard apple pulp can be consumed either as a juice or mixed with water, and it provides excellent diuretic benefits. It helps regulate bodily functions by fighting high blood pressure, respiratory diseases (mostly colds), detoxing the liver and maintaining overall liver health, and regulating blood sugar levels (which is ideal for people who have diabetes). You can also consume the leaves of the custard apple tree – this is especially helpful for people suffering from the mumps, anxiety, or insomnia. Using both the leaves and flowers of the plant you can make a tea and sweeten it with honey to treat colds or other illnesses, or to promote healing after surgery. Custard apple has very few side effects, but it’s not advisable for pregnant women to eat it in excess (a small amount is fine on occasion). The whole plant can be consumed – i.e. leaves, fruit, flowers, stems, roots, and bark, and all have medicinal properties. The leaves contain the most “powerful” properties, and in South America are taken as a tea or other liquid. The pulp is usually used for making smoothies, juices, ice creams, and desserts. Its taste is sweet and delicious. Other names for the custard apple include cherimoya, Brazilian paw paw, graviola, guanábana, sapote, annona, and pehne – it all depends on the language spoken in the region where it’s grown. Regardless, the scientific name is Annona muricata, and it’s a fruit.   Medicinal uses of custard apple The powdered seeds can be used as an insect repellent if smeared on the skin while the water contained in the leaves can help remove lice and nits when applied topically to the scalp. You can make a tonic by blending three custard apple leaves with a cup of water and drink every morning for a week to ease the side effects of chemotherapy or other strong medication. Eating the green (unripe) custard apple fruit can help fight jaundice, a disease of the liver that affects skin color by turning it yellowish. Just cut the fruit into three large pieces, remove the seeds, and blend the pulp. Strain the liquid and sweeten it withhoney before drinking, as it has a slightly bitter taste.