Annona muricata / Graviola / Annonaceae (Custard Apple family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

English: Brazilian pawpaw, soursop, prickly custard apple, Soursapi
Spanish: guanábana, guanábano, anona, catche, catoche, catuche, zapote agrio
Chamorro: laguaná, laguana, laguanaha, syasyap
German: Sauersack, Stachelannone, anona, flashendaum, stachel anone, stachliger
Fijian: sarifa, seremaia
French: anone muriquee, cachiman épineux, corossol épineux,anone, cachiman épineux, caichemantier, coeur de boeuf, corossol, corossolier, epineux
Indonesian: sirsak
Māori: kātara‘apa, kātara‘apa papa‘ā, naponapo taratara
Dutch: zuurzak
Portuguese: graviola, araticum-grande, araticum-manso, coração-de-rainha, jaca-de-pobre, jaca-do-Pará, anona, curassol, graviola, pinha azeda
Samoan: sanalapa, sasalapa, sasalapa
Tahitian: tapotapo papa‘a, tapotapo urupe

Contents

Acetogenins, quinolines, isoquinolines, annopentocins and annomuricins. Coreximine and reticuline subfractions have been isolated from root bark. (3)

Historical

The fruit of Annona muricata is sold in local markets in the tropics, where it is called guanábana in Spanish-speaking countries and graviola in Brazil. The fruit pulp is excellent for making drinks and sherbets and, though slightly sour-acid, can be eaten out of hand. Graviola has a long, rich history of use in herbal medicine as well as a lengthy recorded indigenous use. All parts of the graviola tree are used in natural medicine in the tropics, including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and fruit seeds. Different properties and uses are attributed to the different parts of the tree. The bark and leaves are typically prepared into a tea. (1) In the Caribbean it is believed that laying the leaves of the soursop on a bed below a sleeping person with a fever will break the fever by the next morning. (2)

"The bark, leaves, root, and fruits have been used as traditional remedies in many countries. Extracts of graviola have been shown to have antiviral, antiparasitic, antirheumatic, astringent, emetic, antileishmanial and cytotoxic effects. Graviola has also been shown to be effective against multidrug resistant cancer cells line. There are no large scale studies in humans on the effects of graviola. Alkaloids extracted from graviola may cause neuronal dysfunction and degeneration leading to symptoms reminiscent of Parkinson's Disease." (3)

Plant Description

Graviola is a small, upright evergreen tree, 5-6 m high, with large, glossy, dark green leaves. It produces a large, heart-shaped, edible fruit that is 15-20 cm in diameter, is yellow-green in color, and has white flesh inside.

References

(1) Graviola, Raintree Tropical Plant Database
(2) Annona muricata, Wikipedia
(3) Graviola, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Cananga odorata / Ylang Ylang / Annonaceae (Custard Apple family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Ylang Ylang, Cananga odorata, Macassar oil.

Scent

Ylang Ylang has a rich, heavy, floral, exotically sweet odor that has several effects. It is refreshing and calming, but also sensual, seductive and exiting. The fragrance is reminiscent of Jasmine, because of its floral and sweet odor. Perfume-note: Base to Middle.

Aromatic Properties

The scent of Ylang Ylang, like Jasmin and Rose, has long been considered an aphrodisiac. This explains its popularity in the use of making perfume. The fragrance is both stimulating as also relaxing. It is said to release tension, lift depression and generally stabilize mood swings. It relaxes and calms exited emotional states. It minimizes feelings of anger, fears and frustrations, while it fosters feelings of love, security and serenity. Ylang Ylang is recommended by many practitioners in treating sexual disorders, especially when related to stress. Ylang Ylang arouses sensuality, creates erotic and euphoric moods, and induces deep relaxation. Women in the tropics have also used Ylang Ylang in a mixture with coconut oil, for a nice hairtreat.

Contents

Linalol, farnesol, geraniol, geranial, benzyl acetate, geranyl acetate, eugenol, methyl chavicol, pinene, beta-caryophyllene, farnasene.

Synergic Combinations

Blends very well with all citrus oils like Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Tangerine and also Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Patchouli, Palma Rosa, Vetiver, Rose, Rosewood, Sandalwood, and for excitement, with Black Pepper.

Historical

The Perfume tree was introduced in the 19th century to the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Madagascar and Comores by the French. The Comores are called the "Perfume Isles" because, by now, they export 80% of the worlds supply of Ylang Ylang essence. Madagascar is the other major world producer. Ylang Ylang has a long history of use for erotic uses. In middle-eastern cultures women used the fragrance to create a sensual atmosphere in the harems.
In Indonesia the blossoms were thrown on the beds of just married couples, as an aphrodisiac. Ylang Ylang has also a history of being used in the most exquisite perfumes, for example Chanel No.5.

Plant Description

The Cananga Odorata is a South Asian member of the Custard Apple family (Annonaceae). Tall and evergreen, the "Perfume Tree" produces large yellowish flowers on downward drooping branches, all year round. The exquisite star-shaped flowers are gathered shortly after sunrise in either early summer or autumn. After picking they go through a steam distillation process, which lasts several days. The essential oil is extracted in three phases. In the last phase, the oil is the most strong in scent, this is called the third grade. Approximately 1,7 kilo of flowers go into a small bottle of 5ml. The oil is mainly yellow to neutral in color. Peculiarly, when the blossoms of the tree grow in the wild, their scent is not so strong. The more tender care they receive, the more fragrance they will spread.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Cananga odorata - Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry
Cananga odorata - Wikipedia