Bottlebrush (Annona muriatica)

Other names: anona, anona, graviola, guanabana, Brazilian papaya, soursop

The bottlebrush, also known as anon anon, graviola, guanabana, Brazilian papaya or soursop, is a plant native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Its fruit is similar to a small melon, with a wrinkled green skin covered with spines, which are not sharp but soft and grow all over the surface of the fruit. The flesh is white, sweet, with a mild apple or pineapple flavour.

The bottlebrush is used in many industries, ranging from the food industry to pharmaceuticals. Its fruits are eaten fresh and are also used to make juices, smoothies, ice cream or other desserts. In traditional medicine, the fruit is used as a cure for certain diseases, including cancer, asmatism, diabetes and parasitosis. The bark and leaves of the bottlebrush also enjoy medicinal benefits. In the cosmetic industry, face masks, shampoos and other products are prepared from the bottlebrush. However, it is important to emphasize that although graviola has many positive medicinal effects, its consumption requires some caution - in too high a dose it can have a toxic effect.