Scientific name: Psidium guajava
Description:
Guava is indigenous to the Central American region and are cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics as well as in some subtropical regions. The guava tree is aperennial shrub or a general shade tree that grows up to a height of 4 meters. It leaves have conspicuous veins, are oblong and tapered at the end. Its green to yellowish fruits contain numerous seeds with a reddish, pink or yellowish flesh that is very delectable as well as nutritious.
Nutritional value:
Guavas are rich in vitamins A and C. A big guava contains over four times the amount of vitamin C as a single orange (212 mg/100 g fruit) and the quantity of vitamin C increases as the fruit matures. The seeds are known to be rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Depending on the variety, guava has good levels of the dietary minerals that includes phosphorus, potassium, calcim, and magnesium.
Parts Used: Fresh or dried leaves, bark, fruits.
Medicinal Properties:
The guava fruit,leaves and bark of the plant possess some therapeutic properties and have been known to treat various disorders.
The guava with a reddish flesh are extremely rich in antioxidants than the yellowish-green ones. The guava fruit has carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, essential oils, eugenol, lectins, triterpenes as well as polyphenols. The fruit is also considered to be an excellent source of a dietary fiber known as pectin.
The guava leaf is high in flavonoids and quercetin, in fact, the majority of the medicinal properties of guava are attributed to the flavonoids seen in the fruits and leaves.
Indication:
1. Acute Diarrhea, Gastroenteritis, intestinal worm, dysmenorrhea,gastric disorders
Pound guava leaf and boil in a 1 liter of water. Drink infusions prepared with guava leaves as a tea. Some would combine leaves and bark to prepare a decoction. In tropical countries, townfolks use the leaves, roots, barks as well as the unripe fruits of guava to treat such disorders because of the presence of quercetin and other flavonoids in the guava plant.
2. Nausea and Vomiting
same as above.
3. Vaginal discharges
Prepare a decoction with leaves and bark of the guava tree and use it as a vaginal wash.
4. Toothaches;Bad Breath; Bleeding gums; Mouth sores; sore throat and laryngitis
Chew leaves of guava. Some would prefer to chew the young leaves of the guava. Others use a decoction prepared with the leaves of guava and use it as a gargle.
5. Wound and skin ulcers
Prepare a decoction of leaves and/ or barks of guava trees or an infusion prepared with guava flowers. Some would pound the guava leaves and apply it as a poultice over the wound. Guava leaves and bark are used traditionally as a disinfectant and antiseptic.
6. Cough, sore throat and laryngitis
Eat guava fruit for this it is excellent source of Vitamin C (Four times more than oranges).
7. Believed to alleviate hangover when tender guava leaves are chewed before taking intoxicating drinks.
THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED & TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.