Soursop (Annona muricata) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in regions of the Caribbean, Central and South America, and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. In these cultures, various parts of the soursop plant—including the fruit, leaves, and roots—have been used as natural remedies for a variety of ailments, including kidney stones. The most common traditional use involves the consumption of soursop leaf tea or fruit juice, which is believed to have diuretic properties that may help increase urine output and potentially assist in the expulsion of kidney stones.

The traditional rationale is based on soursop’s purported ability to “cleanse” the urinary tract. Some animal studies have shown that soursop extracts may have mild diuretic and antioxidant effects, which could theoretically benefit kidney health. However, there is a lack of rigorous clinical trials in humans that directly evaluate soursop’s efficacy for preventing or treating kidney stones. Most of the available evidence remains anecdotal, and scientific validation is limited.

In summary, the use of soursop for kidney stones is primarily supported by traditional practices rather than strong scientific evidence. Those interested in using soursop for this purpose should exercise caution and consult healthcare professionals, especially since high doses or prolonged use of soursop may have potential side effects.