Soursop Tea Benefits and Side Effects

Soursop tea is an herbal tea that is made from the leaves of the soursop fruit tree. Soursop tea is also called graviola tea and is rumored to have significant powers to prevent or treat cancer. Unfortunately, however, researchers have not been able to prove this benefit in clinical studies. In addition, consuming soursop (especially long-term) may cause harm.

Soursop trees are native to tropical areas in North and South American. The soursop fruit is a large green oval or heart-shaped fruit with thorny skin. Some sources describe the fruit as having a musky taste, while others compare the taste to that of a banana or a papaya.  People use the fruit to make juice, smoothies, ice cream, and other sweet treats.

Many people also use the leaves of the soursop fruit tree to make soursop tea. Soursop is also called graviola, so the drink may also be referred to as graviola tea. Other names for soursop include guanabana, custard apple, and Brazilian paw paw.

Some people also combine soursop tea with other ingredients including soursop fruit, matcha, or other herbal blends to tailor the taste or boost the health benefits.

Soursop tea is not a "tea" in the traditional sense and is not made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, like black tea or green tea. It is brewed just parts of the soursop plant, which does not contain any caffeine. Therefore soursop tea is completely caffeine-free.

The most significant soursop tea health benefit that you'll see advertised online or in stores is cancer treatment. Graviola tea is believed by many to treat, prevent, and even cure cancer. However, right now there is no overwhelming evidence to support those claims.

One recent review published in the journal Carcinogenesis found that "Based on available data, there is good evidence that these long-used plants could have both chemopreventive and therapeutic potential." Study authors suggest further investigations.

Well-respected cancer organizations still advise caution.

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center acknowledges that graviola has shown anticancer properties in lab studies, but human data are lacking.
• Cancer Research UK (a non-profit cancer organization based in England) states that there is no evidence to show that graviola works as a cure for cancer.
• And the Cancer Treatment Centers of America advise, "Experts warn against using the fruit to treat cancer. While research suggests soursop can fight cancer, it has not been studied in humans. As a result, there is no evidence of its safety or efficacy."

In addition to its anticancer properties, some people use soursop to treat infections, coughs, weight loss, herpes, inflammation of the nose and throat, and parasitic infections such as lice. Others may use graviola tea or soursop fruit to induce vomiting or to increase relaxation. According to the  Therapeutic Research Center. Natural Medicines database, there is not enough scientific evidence to support these claims.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center advises that you don't consume soursop if you:

• Are taking blood pressure medication
• Are taking diabetes medication
• If you have liver or kidney disease
• If you are having any nuclear imaging studies performed
• If you have a low platelet count

The organization also adds that repeated use may cause liver and kidney toxicity and that side effects of soursop may include movement disorders and myeloneuropathy (a condition with symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.

The Therapeutic Research Center advises patients that using graviola may be unsafe.

If you or a loved one has cancer, it can be tempting to try an alternative treatment that promises hope.  There are some holistic treatments that may provide relief from certain cancer symptoms. However, some anticancer treatments may do more harm than good.

Before considering soursop or any herbal treatment, speak with your healthcare provider to make sure that the treatment you use to get well doesn't cause harm.