As an alternative medicine practitioner in Ghana who is active on nairaland i have chosen to begin posting articles about herbs and their medicinal uses as a method of educating people and getting them to see how beneficial herbs are and how in very many cases they are much more effective than conventional medicine. Most of the herbs i will be highlighting are herbs i personally grow either on my herb farm or right in my backyard.

Today i will be talking about the Annona Squamosa otherwise called Custard Apple and this one is being grown right at my backyard.

The custard apple is an attractive, slow-growing deciduous shrub or small tree with a rounded or spreading, open crown. It reaches a height 3 - 6 metres.

The custard Apple is closely related to guyabano (soursop) but a lot more smaller in size and without spikes. The fruit is granular in appearance, juicy, soft, sweet and has aromatic flavour. Custard apple is a tropical fruit with a conical shape. The fruit measures approximately 2.4–3.9 inches height, 2.0–3.9 inches in diameter and weighs up to 240 g. The outer skin or rind is very thick with knobby segments that usually separates when ripe. The inner flesh is light yellow to creamy white in colour, tasty and has similar taste to that of custard which suggests why it is also known as custard apple. Each fruit contains up between 15 to 40 seeds depending on the size. Custard Apple is highly medicinal, nutritive and therapeutic in nature which suggests its global high demand. Here are some of the reasons why this fruit is highly sought after.


let us consider its Pharmacological Activity:


Custard apple is a powerhouse of nutrients and it can help you fight various diseases including diseases related to heart, diabetes, body weight, immunity and eyesight. The presence of various minerals, vitamins and antioxidants boosts the immune system of our body that helps us to fight various germs and infections that weaken our health. Some of the common nutrients found in custard apple are vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, copper and fiber.

For sake of Knowledge, 100 grams of custard apple contains:

Calories (80-101)
Protein (68g)
Fat (0.5g)
Carbohydrate (20g)
Fiber (0.9 g)
Calcium (17.6 mg)
Phosphorous (14.7mg)
Iron (0.42 mg)
Carotene (0.007 mg)
Thiamine (0.075 mg)
Riboflavin (0.086 mg)
Niacin (0.528m)
Ascorbic acid (15 mg)
Nicotinic acid (0.5 mg)

Health benefits of custard apple

Custard apple is full of various nutrients and antioxidants that help us remain healthy. It is good for our heart, brain, digestive system and helps to fight various diseases like diabetes, cancer, anemia etc. Here’s the extensive list of top 14 health benefits of custard apple worth knowing about.

Healthy heart
Several unhealthy habits and junk foods intake have resulted to weaker hearts that in turn has led to various cardiovascular problems in the recent past. You must protect your heart and in order to keep your heart healthy, you should eat custard apple. This fruit is rich in potassium and magnesium that helps our body prevent heart diseases. They help in relaxation of muscles and prevent the cramps and jerks thus lessening the possibility of strokes. Sodium content along with potassium also controls the blood pressure levels and inhibits its sudden fluctuations in human body.

Cholesterol that is another main cause behind heart issues can also be maintained with the niacin and dietary fiber present in custard apples. In addition, custard apple contains vitamin B6 that aids to inhibit homocystein collection and hence lessen the risk of the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Custard apple prevents the attack of the free radicals on the lipids further fostering cardiovascular health. Lastly, the flavonoids in custard apple also contribute to heart health.

Prevents diabetes
Diabetes is another leading killer in the world but with custard apple, it is possible to prevent it from occurring. The dietary fiber present in this fruit helps to absorb the blood sugar levels and thus prevent the risk of Type II Diabetes. Further, the presence of Vitamin C in custard apple also helps to regulate the blood sugar levels thereby further giving protection against diabetes.

Also, it contains magnesium and potassium that helps in production of the insulin and regulates the glucose content in body. The anti-hyperglycemic property of the methanol extract of custard apple is also very beneficial and hence many recommend custard apple to be safe for diabetic patients.

Maintains body weight
Today, most people seem to suffer from weight issues. While some have overweight problems, others seem to suffer from malnutrition and underweight issue. So if you fall in the latter category and want to gain few kilos, start consuming custard apple for it helps maintain proper body weight.

The sugar present in the fruit improves the metabolic rate of the human body and stimulates your appetite and with more appetite, there will be more healthy food intake. Therefore, if you are excessively thin and want to gain few kilos, do consume custard apple but in adequate amounts as over-intake may lead to excessive weight gain.

You may mix a bit of honey with the custard apple and consume it in regular basis to gain a few healthy pounds and make you look a bit rounded and healthy.

Good for digestion
Custard apple can give a boost to your digestive health and that is definitely one of the important health benefits of custard apple. Many people suffer from constipation and other digestive issues that can be prevented with custard apple. The rich amount of copper and the dietary fiber present in it helps in proper digestion of the food particles.

Also, the fiber helps to add bulk to the stool and thus ease the bowel movements and facilitate smooth elimination of excreta. Custard apple also helps to flush out the harmful toxic substances and protect our liver and kidneys. Besides, if you have problem with diarrhea and dysentery, you can consume the powder by crushing the sun dried custard apple.

Good for cognitive health
Our hectic lifestyle often cause a lot of mental stress that can affect our overall cognitive functioning. However, according to reports custard apple contains a high level of vitamin B6 that regulates the levels of GABA neuron chemical in your brain. This makes you get rid of excessive stress, irritability, nervousness, tension and depression. It also helps in better retention of memory and reduces the side effects of Alzheimer’s. Moreover, the nutritious custard apple also protects our central nervous system and prevents the occurrence of Parkinson’s disease.

Facilitates dental health
You need to take care of your teeth as with age, they weaken. As a solution, you may consume custard apple in adequate amounts as it fosters dental health. The rich iron and calcium helps to strengthen your teeth and prevent it from falling. It is also said that the outer covering of the fruit is good for preventing tooth decay and the gum pain that accompanies it. In fact, often the bark of this plant is also put around the gum to reduce the toothache.

Prevents cancer
Custard apple possesses anti-cancerous properties, which is indeed one of the most important health benefits of custard apple. The bark of this tree contains tannin and has astringent effects that are used for making various herbal supplements that further gets used in the cure of various types of cancers. The presence of alkaloids and acetogenin reduces cancer risk and protects against renal failure. These compounds act against the cells affected by cancer without causing any harm to the healthy ones. Moreover, custard apple also contains antioxidants like asimicin and bullatacin that help your body neutralize the ill effects of the free radicals thus, further reducing cancer risk. It also flushes out the harmful toxic substances and lessens the occurrence of colon and liver cancer. Few reports also suggest its effectiveness in preventing breast cancer as well. So if you want to remain away from cancer, eat this wonder fruit in moderate amounts.

Good for eyes
If you have any problem with your eyes and want to improve your vision, you may take the help of custard apple. The presence of vitamin A and C makes this fruit extremely beneficial for healthy eyesight. Further, the other antioxidants like riboflavin and vitamin B2 destroys the free radicals and fights and prevents various vision related issues.

Good for pregnant mothers
Those nine months are probably the most important phase in a woman’s life and she has to be extra careful while eating anything during that time. While some foods are a complete no-no, few are very effective during pregnancy with custard apple falling a part of the latter group. The highly nutritious custard apple gives the needed nutrients like vitamin A and C to the mother that helps in the healthy development of the fetus.

Moreover, the copper content in it lessens the chances of premature labour and premature graying of hair while the iron content helps to ease the labor pain and increases the breast milk production in lactating mothers. Morning sickness that leads to feelings of vomiting, nausea, numbness and mood swings is common during pregnancy but can be prevented with adequate consumption of custard apple. However, please do avoid the consumption of the seeds and the unripe custard apple, as they might be harmful.

Cures arthritis and rheumatism
Arthritis and rheumatism generally occur with old age but in few cases, even the younger lot may get affected. These diseases lead to problem in walking, excessive join paints and often swelling in body parts that can get really painful at times. However, not to worry as with custard apple consumption, you can get rid of these health issues. The rich magnesium content in it maintains normal fluid levels and fosters electrolyte balance in human body. This helps to get rid of the acids and fluids in the joints and reduces the inflammation that accompanies it.

Treats anemia
Anemia is quite common nowadays specially with women. Therefore, those of you who suffer from anemia or has anemic tendencies must consume foods that help you get rid of the problem and custard apple is definitely one of them. Custard apple is a rich source of iron that helps in the cure of anemia. It also contains copper that improves the hemoglobin content in body and hence help you battle the problem of anemia. Moreover, custard apple is a coolant, stimulant, hematinic and expectorant that helps to get rid of vomiting tendencies, dizziness and other side effects of anemia and promotes the general well being of the individual. .

Facilitates hormonal balance
Hormonal imbalance can create lot of health issues with emotional disorders being one of the major consequences. However, custard apple is efficient in balancing the hormonal problems. The vitamin B6 present in it regulates the hormonal levels in body and hence gives your body the strength to cope up and battle the emotional disorders.

Treats skin diseases and heals wounds faster
Custard apple is rich in vitamin C that helps in the formation of cartilage, ligaments and tendons. It is also a natural cure for treating various kinds of ulcers, boils and abscesses. Custard apple juice also helps in the fast healing of cuts and wounds and also facilitates new cell development in the skin layers. In addition, the latex derived from the custard apple tree is used in treating various skin diseases like eczema, inflammation and psoriasis.

Treats common cold and other infections
Many of us are prone to cough and cold and fall sick every alternate day. The main reason behind it is your weak immune system. However, studies have shown that custard apple contain antimicrobial properties, which can help you get rid of various pathogens and protect yourself from various infections. The vitamin C content in custard apple improves your resistance power to prevent cold and cough from occurring. It facilitates the absorption of iron by the body that further helps your body fight diseases. Custard apple also acts as a febrifuge curing the fever that often accompanies common cold and cough.

How to eat custard apple
Eat custard apple only in moderate amounts. Best way to have custard apple is to wash it properly, peel off its skin and eat the pulp. The black or brown colored seeds are not supposed to be eaten. You may also like to extract the pulp of the custard apple and use it to make shake and other drinks. It tastes good and has aromatic smell.

Custard apple is quite a safe food without much of side effects but still there are certain cons of over consumption that I must tell you. Have a look:

The seeds are often found to be poisonous so it is better to avoid consuming them as much as possible.
The fruit is cold in nature so do not consume in huge amounts to avoid falling sick.
Although it is good for diabetes but patients, suffering from gestational diabetes must avoid excess consumption of it as it contains high sugar that may harm you.
Also eating in excess can lead to too much weight gain.
The sap of the branches of the custard apple tree can be an irritant and harm your eyes. Therefore, you need to be careful with that.
Custard apple contains dietary fiber that if taken in huge amounts will interfere with the nutrient absorbing capability of body and result to various stomach problems.
Potassium content lowers the high-pressure in body but if taken excessively in the form of large numbers of custard apple can lower your blood pressure to dangerously low levels, which in turn may result to nausea, dizziness and other problems.

So in a nutshell

Action

Leaves, bark, unripe fruit are strongly astringent; used for diarrhoea and dysentery.
Leaves are also an insecticide (seed powder, mixed with leaf juice is used for removing lice from scalp).
Seeds are abortifacient.
Root are used as a purgative and also used in blood dysentery.
Fruit is very invigorating, a sedative to heart, antibilious, antiemetic, expectorant.
Dried, powdered unripe fruits are used for treating ulcers.
Ripe fruit made into paste or the leaves is applied to tumour to hasten suppuration.
Specific root extracts are antihypertensive, antispasmodic, antthistaminic and bronchodilatory properties.
Leaves contain a cardiotonic alkaloid, quinoline. Squamone and bullatacinone and are cytotoxic to human breast carcinoma.
Leaves are taken to reduce uric acid levels.
Specific extracts from the plant is used to curb convulsions and epilepsy

As you can see, Nature is fully loaded just for our use. This is just one plant with all these medicinal benefits. I have always been an advocate for a natural approach to health as an alternative medicine practitioner and i want to encourage as many as read this to do same.

I know many complain about the many quacks out there but as long as there are quacks, there are also authentic knowledgeable alternative medicine practitioners like me.

I hope i have been able to add something to your reservoir of knowledge. Thank You and Happy Mothers day to the women among you.

Pictures are from the tree in my backyard

Lalasticlala i think people need to see this so they can learn a thing or two.

You are really doing a great job Mr Adalassy.
Thanks for the information.

adebobconed:
You are really doing a great job Mr Adalassy.
Thanks for the information.

Thank you too for reading

I want to learn this kind of shot! Teach me.

I have never seen nor heard about this custard apple before, does it grow only in Ghana?

makaveli902:
I have never seen nor heard about this custard apple before, does it grow only in Ghana?

Quite popular in Nigeria too.

Pls send me your phone number, i want to call you for an urgent matter. Pls

How can I contact you ?