Anoda is also known as custard apple in English, Seethapalam in Tamil and Atha in Sinhala. Anoda belongs to the Annonaceae family. There are 23 or 24 species of Anoda, most native to Mexico and South America.

The light green color of Anoda fruit turns into Brownish gray color when it is ripe and the ripened fruits are sweet in taste. There are several types of Anoda as, Katu anoda, Weli Anoda and Seeni Anoda. Among these types of Anoda, Katu Anoda (Annona muricata) is the most popular one. 

Anoda fruit contains potassium, Sodium, iron, Magnesium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1,B2,B3, Vitamin C, Calcium, folate, zinc and sugar. 

The fruits, seeds, leaves, bark and flowers of Anoda are being used in indigenous medicine.  Its medicinal properties mainly focus on the renal bladder system. Prevention and cure kidney and bladder stones, relieve urine infections are among them.

Similarly various parts of the Anoda tree are used  for treatments for worm diseases, Hemorrhoids,insomnia, eliminate head lice and dandruff.  Furthermore Anoda is good for the liver, improves lactation in feeding mothers and reduces high blood pressure.  

To destroy head lice the seeds of Anoda are useful. The seeds are crushed into a fine powder and add a little bit of water to make it into a paste. Apply the paste on the head and leave it for about two hours then wash out. This procedure should be done for 7 days to control head lice. Since the seeds have toxic compounds that are responsible for killing head  lice, you shouldn’t eat Anoda seeds. It may cause harmful side effects to you.  Be sure to remove them before eating the fruit.

Ripen fruit can be consumed directly as a fruit or as  a delicious smoothie. The raw fruits can be made into a delicious curry or a medicinal soup.

A herbal tea is made out of the dried  leaves of Anoda. This tea is good to improve insomnia, reduce blood pressure and reduce blood sugar. 

Anoda leaf compresses are applied on inflamed skin and swollen feet.

 Anoda fruit and the leaves contain many antioxidants, including phytosterols, tannins, and flavonoids which fight against free radicals. Recent scientific studies have shown that anoda can destroy cancer cells as wells. 

Things to keep in mind.

Due to its ability to reduce blood pressure and blood sugar, it may interact with high blood pressure medication or diabetes medications by strengthening its action, causing dangerous drops in your blood pressure or blood sugar levels.