Description

Tree growing to 33 ft (10 m). Has oblong- to lance-shaped leaves, greenish flowers, and segmented green fruit.

Habitat & Cultivation

Native to tropical America and the Caribbean, this herb is cultivated throughout the tropics.

Parts Used

Leaves, bark, fruit, seeds.

Constituents

Custard apple contains fruit sugars and mucilage.

Medicinal Actions & Uses

In the West Indies, the young shoots are used with peppermint (Mentha x piperita) to relieve colds and chills. In Cuban medicine, the leaves are taken to reduce uric acid levels. The leaves, bark, and unripe fruit are all strongly astringent and are used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. The crushed seeds are mixed with an inert powder and employed as an insecticide.

Research

Custard apple has been shown to have antiprotozoal and anthelmintic (worm repelling) activity.