Soursop tea is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the soursop (Annona muricata) tree. The tropical tree produces large, green prickly fruits that are eaten raw or used to make a delicious beverage.
In various cultures, soursop leaves are used to make soursop tea. The herbal tea is used as a natural remedy for ailments, including inflammation, infections, digestive issues, high blood pressure, and difficulty sleeping.
But does soursop leaf tea make you sleep? And why does it help insomnia? Let’s look at what some soursop studies found.
Soursop Leaf Tea Sleep Benefits
Recent research has begun to uncover the potential sleep-inducing properties of soursop leaf tea. Several studies suggest that certain compounds found in soursop leaves have calming effects making soursop tea a natural remedy for insomnia.
For example, soursop leaves are packed with antioxidants, including alkaloids, tryptophan, and several flavonoids which contribute to soursop leaf tea sleep benefits. So let’s look at a few of these bioactive compounds.
2. Alkaloids
Alkaloids such as anonaine, asimilobine and reticuline in soursop leaves have sedative properties which can help reduce anxiety and promote better sleep.
- Anonaine1 has been proven to show anti-anxiety and antidepressant behavior. One study suggest anonaine enhances dopamine levels resulting in a positive effect on mood and anxiety which lead to better sleep.
- Asimilobine2 is also an alkaloid that affects dopamine levels by promoting a calm relaxing feeling. So the calming effects of soursop leaf tea makes it a natural remedy for insomnia.
- Reticuline, which according some studies is a powerful Central Nervous System depressant, may help regulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin that are involved in sleep-wake cycles.
2. Tryptophan
Soursop leaves do contain tryptophan3 which is an essential amino acid helps promote relaxation.
- Tryptophan is important for making serotonin, a chemical that helps control our mood, appetite, sleep, and pain. So the compound can aid in improving sleep quality by increasing serotonin levels, which is essential for regulating sleep.
3. Flavanoids
Soursop leaves also has several beneficial flavonoids including quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin. These flavanoids have a positive effect on soursop tea sleep benefits. How so?
- Quercetin is responsible for several antioxidant benefits of soursop tea. According to one study quercetin alters the sleep-wake cycle partially by activating GABA(A) receptors.
- Kaempferol has been shown to exhibit anxiolytic and sedative effects, likely by interacting with GABA receptors.This interaction can affect overall brain health wihich may help you sleep well.
- Luteolin possesses anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The compound can support overall brain health and combat stress-related sleep disturbance providing improved sleep quality.
More Soursop Tea Health Benefits
In additon to its potential sleep benefits, soursop leaf tea offers a host of other health benefits. We’ll also look at some of these soursop leaf tea health benefits.
Soursop Tea Anti-inflammatory Effects: Soursop leaf tea contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body. Consuming Soursop tea may relieve inflammatory related discomforts by soothing inflamed tissues and organs.
Immune Support: The immune-boosting properties of soursop leaf tea can help strengthen the body’s natural defenses against infections and illnesses. Soursop tea may reduce the risk of common infections, such as colds and flu, and support faster recovery.
Digestive Health: Traditionally, soursop leaf tea has been used to promote digestive health and ease gastrointestinal discomfort. Compounds in soursop leaves can help soothe the digestive tract and alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and constipation.
Weight Management: The natural diuretic properties of soursop leaves may also help reduce water retention and bloating, contributing to efforts to lose weight.
Skin Care: Soursop leaves tea can also be used topically to improve skin health. soursop tea may help reduce acne breakouts, soothe irritation, and promote a clearer, brighter complexion when used as a natural toner or facial rinse.
Related Article: You may also like Cerasee Tea Benefits for Weight Loss
Traditional Soursop Tea Uses
Notice how these potential benefits of the tea are linked to folk benefits. In Jamaica, Soursop leaf tea is consumed to relieve anxiety, soothe cough, colds, and fevers. The tea is also taken to control blood glucose, manage blood pressure, and treat parasitic infections.
Did you notice a connection between some science-based benefits of soursop leaves tea and its traditional uses? However, these benefits are based on preliminary lab studies and traditional uses of soursop leaves. There is not enough scientific evidence to confirm their safety and efficacy in humans. So exercise caution.
Soursop Leaves Tea Side Effects
Drinking too much tea made from soursop leaves tea may lead to interaction with diabetes and blood pressure medications leading to dangerously low blood pressure or blood glucose levels.
Some experts warn that excessive consumption may lead to neurotoxicity which potentially causes symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Some users may experience allergic reaction which can cause itching, rash, swelling or difficulty breathing.
If you have any of these symptoms, discontinue use of soursop immediately and seek medical help.
Soursop Tea Preparation for Sleep
Now that you are aware of both the benefits and side effects of soursop leaf tea, are you eager to give it a try?
To make soursop leaf tea, simply add 3 or 4 dried soursop leaves in a cup and a half of boling water. Cover and brew for 5-10 minutes. Strain, add your favorite sweetner and enjoy. You will only need a single tea bag to make a cup of soursop leaf tea.
Bonus Tips: Experiment with different brewing methods and flavorings to suit your preferences. Start with a small amount of soursop tea and gradually increase the dosage as needed. Drink soursop tea in the evening, preferably an hour or two before bedtime.
Where to Buy Soursop Leaves
Dried soursop leaves for making tea can be sourced from some local marlket places as well as a number of online stores. They are availabe as whole leaves, capsules, and soursop leaf tea bags.
What to look for: Look for high-quality soursop leaves from reputable suppliers. Reputable online marketplaces such as Amazon and Etsy offer a variety premium quality soursop leaves. Where possible opt for whole leaves over tea bags.
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Conclusion
Soursop leaf tea, with its natural compounds offers potential benefits for sleep and overall health. While emerging studies support these benefits, real scientific data is limited.
In addition, there are concerns associated with excessive consumption of soursop leaves tea. The tea may interact with medications and pose health risks such as neurotoxicity.
Where can you buy soursop tea? High-quality soursop leaves and teabags are available from reputable online marketplaces for those interested in exploring this traditional beverage.
References
- Li, Hsing-Tan et al. “The pharmacological activities of (-)-anonaine.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 18,7 8257-63. 12 Jul. 2013, doi:10.3390/molecules18078257 ↩︎
- Jin, Chun-Mei et al. “Effects of asimilobine on dopamine biosynthesis and l-DOPA-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.” Journal of Asian natural products research vol. 10,7-8 (2008): 747-55. doi:10.1080/10286020802030892 ↩︎
- Panyatip, Panyada et al. “Impact of Tea Processing on Tryptophan, Melatonin, Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents in Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Leaves: Quantitative Analysis by LC-MS/MS.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 27,15 4979. 5 Aug. 2022, doi:10.3390/molecules27154979 ↩︎
Disclosure: This website is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated here should be viewed as medical advice. See our full medical disclosure here.
