Posted 6 days ago
Soursop Tea
“Sour Sip” VS Soursop Tea
“Sour sip” teas are often used in supportive cancer care to help with nausea, dry mouth (xerostomia), taste changes, and poor appetite, especially during chemotherapy or radiation. The gentle sourness stimulates saliva and can feel refreshing when water tastes unpleasant.
Common Sour Sip Tea Options:
These are typically caffeine-free, mild, and served cool or at room temperature.
Lemon-Based
-Warm or cool water with fresh lemon juice
-Lemon peel infusion (less acidic than juice)
-Lemon + honey (if blood sugar allows)
Helps: dry mouth, metallic taste, mild nausea
Tart Fruit Teas
-Hibiscus tea (very popular in oncology settings)
-Cranberry tea
-Cherry or Sour Cherry Tea
Helps: taste fatigue, thirst
Hibiscus is quite tart so dilute well.
Citrus Blends
-Orange peel + lemon peel
-Mandarin peel (traditional in some cultures)
Apple Cider–Style (Very Diluted)
-1–2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar in a cup of water
-Add honey or maple syrup if tolerated
Avoid if there are mouth sores or esophageal irritation.
Ginger + Sour
-Ginger tea with a splash of lemon
-Ginger + cranberry
Helps: nausea, bloating
How to Serve:
-Room temperature or cool (hot can irritate mouth sores)
-Diluted (too sour can burn sensitive mouths)
-Small sips through the day
-Use a straw if mouth is sensitive
Use Caution or avoid in these circumstances:
Check with the oncology team if the patient has:
-Mouth sores (mucositis) – sour may sting
-Severe acid reflux or ulcers
-Kidney issues (some teas like hibiscus may not be appropriate)
-Low potassium (hibiscus can lower BP slightly)
-Neutropenia – use only boiled water and clean preparation
Soursop Tea
Soursop tea made from Annona muricata leaves, also called graviola is often discussed online in relation to cancer, so it’s important to separate traditional use, claims, and scientific evidence.
What people claim:
-In traditional medicine, soursop leaf tea has been used for inflammation, pain, infections, and general wellness.
-Some lab studies show that compounds in soursop leaves (acetogenins) can kill cancer cells in test tubes or animals.
Important: These effects have NOT been proven in humans.
What science says:
-No clinical trials show that soursop tea treats, cures, or prevents cancer in humans.
-It should not replace chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or immunotherapy.
-At best, it may be considered a complementary herbal drink, not a cancer treatment.
Major cancer organizations (including the American Cancer Society) do not recommend soursop for cancer treatment due to lack of evidence and safety concerns.
Safety concerns for cancer patients
This is especially important:
-Potential nerve toxicity with long-term or high-dose use (linked to Parkinson-like symptoms)
-May interact with chemotherapy drugs
-Can lower blood pressure and blood sugar
-Possible liver and kidney strain
-Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding patients
Cancer patients are often medically fragile, so “natural” does not mean “safe.”
If a cancer patient wants to use soursop tea:
They should:
1.Talk to their oncologist and Dietitian first
2.Use it occasionally, not daily
3.Avoid concentrated extracts or capsules
4.Stop immediately if experiencing
-Numbness or tingling
-Muscle weakness
-Dizziness
-Tremors
Better evidence-based supportive options
For symptom support:
-Ginger or peppermint tea → nausea
-Chamomile → sleep and anxiety
-Small frequent meals + nutrition support
-Pain and symptom management through palliative care
Brenda Gridley, CSP, RDN
Brenda is originally from Los Angeles, CA where she attended California State University of Los Angeles for her under graduate degree in Nutritional Science. She began her career with Kaiser Permanente in 2004. Throughout her professional development, she has worked in Cardiology and open heart surgery, Renal/Dialysis, organ transplants and Oncology, including chemotherapy, radiation and head and neck. Brenda has extensive experience with weight management programs, including Bariatric and finally Eating disorders and mindful eating. She went on to specialize in the Pediatric population and has maintained her Certification in Pediatric Nutrition since 2011. Areas she has managed include pediatric and neonatal intensive care units where she was responsible for individualizing therapeutic diets and alternate nutrition support based on specific metabolic needs, medical conditions, and cultural preferences.
Her passion for nutrition was developed at a young age and reared by her grandmother who always instilled the importance of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. When her grandmother became ill, Brenda became aware of the impact nutrition plays in disease prevention and maintaining overall mind and body health. She cared for grandmother until she passed and has made it her goal to help others achieve their full “nutrition potential” with using a culturally sensitive holistic approach.
She is married with two beautiful daughters and in her spare time she enjoys watching movies with her children, experimenting with new recipes, reading mystery novels, running and Yoga.
Please ask your Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers provider for a referral to see our dietary counselors.