7 Amazing Uses Of Custard Apple Seeds

Written by Pooja Bhagat
Last Updated on

Did you ever know about the benefits of custard apple seeds? Wondered what they could be? Most of us think the seeds of a fruit are useless, but they too have many amazing uses.

So if you are thinking how the seeds, which you always tossed into the garbage bin, can have any uses, this post has you covered! Read on to know more about custard apple and the unbelievable uses of its seeds!

Custard Apple (Sitaphal Ke Beej) – A Brief

Annona Squamosa, popularly known as custard apple, is one of the widely available fruits in the world. Lopsided or sometimes heart shaped, the fruit is sweet in taste and goes by various local names. The thin but hard peel of the fruit gives way to a sweet and juicy pulp containing dark colored seeds.

The humble fruit has various medicinal and nutritional properties that are not well known. Everything offered by the shrub of this fruit, right from the bark to roots and seeds, has its own unique benefits to consider. While the bark decoction is used to stop diarrhea, the root is popularly used in some countries to control dysenteric abdominal pain. Leaves of this shrub are mixed to make a magical concoction which helps to treat cough and cold. The fruit in itself is quite effective for anemic patients. But the surprise element of this fruit is its seeds.

The seeds of a custard apple are dark brown in color and are found inside the pulp of the fruit. In each fruit there are multiple seeds.

Benefits Of Custard Apple Seeds

Here are some of the uses of custard apple seeds! Get ready to be amazed!

1. Eradicates Head Lice:

Are you sick of scratching your head due to lice and nit? Has everything failed including the medicated shampoos? Try custard apple seeds. Just take some, grind into a powdered form and mix with a little water to form a paste. Apply on the head and let it rest for 10 minutes. Wash off with plain cold water. This process, if repeated twice a week for a month will give wonderful results and leave your head absolutely lice free.

[ Read: Benefits Of Apples ]

2. Insect Repellent:

Are you fed up with the infestation of insects and ants in your house? Again, the custard apple seeds can come to your rescue. Mix some powdered seeds in water and leave it for a couple of days. Your personal homemade insect repellent is now ready. Sprinkle the mixture everywhere around the house, especially in the infested areas. Results will be instantaneous and outstanding.

3. Pesticide And Weedicide:

The same mixture can also be used as pesticide for your home garden. Sprinkle some of the infested plant on a regular basis for 10 to 15 days for the complete removal of leaf eating insects.

4. Pharmaceutical Usage:

The seeds of this fruit are widely used by pharmaceutical companies due to its medically verified abortifacient properties. It is used for making medicines designed to induce abortion.

[ Read: Health Benefits Of Quince Fruit ]

5. Commercial Farming Pesticides:

The seeds of custard apple are also mixed with neem seeds to make another potent toxic pesticide used in commercial farming. The pesticide thus made from these seeds is natural and harmless to ecology. The use of pesticide made from custard apple seeds is quite beneficial for the health of mankind.

6. Bio- Gas Production:

Countries like Germany and some other European nations use these little wonders for the commercial purpose of production of bio gas. The seeds of this fruit contain trapped fatty acids rich in methyl-ester that triggers the production of the gas.

7. Other Unique Use:

The seeds of custard apple are also used as a fish bait in some countries due to its toxic nature.

[ Read: Benefits Of Custard Apples ]

Warning

The custard apple fruit is great, but the seeds are quite toxic in nature and accidental consumption can cause abortion as they are mildly poisonous. The insecticides prepared from these seeds should be kept away from eyes as they have the potency of even blinding a person temporarily. So while you enjoy a plate full of this healthy fruit as your evening snack, first make sure to remove all the seeds carefully.

Do you know of any other benefits of custard apple seeds? Share with us in the comments section!

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