09/03/2026
Soursop leaves are not simply “toxic.”
The concern comes from a natural plant compound called annonacin. In lab and animal studies, high exposure to purified annonacin has shown possible nerve damage.
But that is not the same as drinking soursop leaf tea.
Human studies have not proven that normal soursop tea use causes Parkinson’s disease. We also do not know the exact amount that would be harmful.
The biggest concern is heavy, frequent use over a long period of time.
Use herbs with knowledge, not fear.
References:
Lannuzel et al., Brain, 2007. PMID: 17303592
Champy et al., rat neurotoxicity study. PMID: 14675150
Bonneau et al., annonacin bioavailability study. PMID: 26444335
Chan et al., systematic review. PMID: 31659754
EFSA Risk Assessment, 2020. e181112
Researched by Malcolm Steele, MPH
Alternative Medicine | Functional Nutrition
Founder, Big Steele Urban Farm