Guayabano (Sour Sop)

Guayabano or sour sop is a small tree which was introduced into the Philippines from West Indies. It grows to about seven meters high.
It is grown for its fruit. The fruit is ovate is shape and weighs about 2 to 4 kilos. The skin of the fruit is covered with flexible green prickles.The pulp of the fruit is white, fibrous and contains several black seeds.It is soft,juicy, and has a sweet acid flavor when ripe.

Economic And Nutritive Values of Sour Sop

* The mature green fruit is used as a vegetable.
* The ripe fruit is eaten off hand or for dessert.
* The fruit juice is used for flavoring ice cream and sherbets and for the preparation of drinks.
* The ripe fruit is fair in Vitamin C content and has traces of Vitamin A.

Medicinal Value of Sour Sop

* The unripe fruit is prepared as remedy for dysentery.
* The above solution also relieves muscular pains or cramp.
* The ripe fruit is a good remedy for scurvy.
* The heated liquid extract from the leaves or flowers is used to induce sweating.

The Sour Sop tree is propagated by seeds. The seeds are sown in seedbeds.The seedlings should be set in the field 5 to 7 meters apart. The Sour Sop trees grow fast and attains a height of 4 to 7 meters. The bear fruit in about three years after planting.