The soursop leaf remedy
Dear Donovan,
I’ve been having a terrible cold for two weeks now and apart from my prescribed medication, I’m being told to boil soursop leaves and drink, and also eat the soursop. How healthy is this? I also have very thick legs and big calves which I hear can be reduced if I diet and exercise more, but I walk each morning and I have reduced my calorie intake. However, I keep losing weight from my mid region only. How can I decrease my thick legs?
— Nora
Good day Nora,
I am so sorry to hear about your terrible cold and also your thick legs and big calves. The fact that you are on medication would suggest that you have seen a doctor for your terrible cold. With a terrible cold extending for two weeks or more you would want to make sure that there are no serious underlying health issues.
Excess stress and a poor immune system could play a part in your extensive cold. Providing that your medication and your soursop leaf tea do not interact in a negative way, I see no reason why you should not try this soursop leaf tea as well as eating the soursop fruit for your cold.
The soursop plant is a broadleaf flowering evergreen tree native to Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The soursop plant is often used as an ingredient in various traditional herbal medicines, for example, a tea made from the leaf is used to calm the nerves and reduce pain. The soursop leaf and the fruit have also been shown to attack cancer cells without weight loss and hair loss, which happens in chemotherapy. Also, important in your case, the vitamin C from drinking the tea and eating the fruit from the plant is an antioxidant vitamin that helps strengthen the immune system and helps prevent colds and coughs.
In addition, soursop provides iron, which can increase the red blood cell count. In order to make the tea, you use three leaves to one cup of boiled water and allow it to draw for 15 to 30 minutes. This you could use daily for seven to nine days and then break. In addition, you could also use the fruit to make juice with lime.
I also see where you have great concern about your thick legs and big calves. These large body areas might be due to genetic factors and you might see these traits in some of your family members. The best way to deal with these legs and calves is to lose some more weight. When you lose weight you lose it from your entire body including your legs and calves; however, the calves and legs will be bigger in proportion compared to the rest of the body. Once you have reached your ideal weight for your height, there should be some softness in your legs and calves. You can speak with a personal trainer or exercise instructor on the best way to go forward.
Good luck!
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Are you struggling to lose weight or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, Suite 16, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5. Send your questions to clarkep@jamaicaobserver.com.
