Health Benefits Guava or Psidium guajava

Health Benefits Guava or Psidium guajava 

In folk medicine, extracts of roots, bark, and leaves are used to treat gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea, dysentery, wounds, ulcers, toothache, coughs, sore throat, inflamed gums, and a number of other conditions.
Guava or Psidium guajava 
Family: Myrtaceae 

Common names: Common guava, yellow guava, apple guava.

It is a low evergreen tree or shrub 6 to 25 feet high, with wide-spreading branches and square, downy twigs.It is a common vegetation cover by roads and in waste places in Hawaii. Guava is a tropical and semitropical plant. It is well known in the islands for its edible fruit. It is common in the backyards. The branches are crooked, bringing opposite leaves. The flowers are white, incurved petals, 2 or 3 in the leaf axils, they are fragrant, with four to six petals and yellow anthers. The fruit is small, 3 to 6 cm long, pear-shaped, reddish-yellow when ripe.  

The fruit  

The fruits also contain vitamin C vitamin A, iron, calcium and phosphorus .Guavas are up to 5 times richer in vitamin C than oranges .Manganese is also present in the plant in combination with phosphoric, oxalic and malic acids. The fruit contains saponin combined with oleanolic acid and flavonoids.

Stem, bark and root-bark are astringent. Unripe fruit is indigestible, causes vomiting and feverish Bark is astringent, febrifuge, antiseptic. Fruit is laxative, leaves are astringent . Locally, decoction of the leaves is with much benefit to the prolapsus ani of children. Indians also employ it for sore throats, vomiting, stomach upsets and for vertigo.

Antibacterial activity: The extract also showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, and Shigella dysenteria . Another paper showed the effectiveness of the leaf extract against Staphylococcus aureus . It was shown to antibacterial in another study and in addition to Staphylococcus aureus was also useful against Streptococcus . The leaves are rich in tannin, and have antiseptic properties. The bark was also shown to exhibit antibacterial effects, it might well be at this activity could be attributed to the tannins present . The unripe fruit is astringent, anti-diarrhoeic, and has medicinal use.In Peruvian herbal medicine systems today the plant is employed for diarrhoea,gastroenteritis, intestinal worms, gastric disorders and vomiting. The leaves of the guava tree in decoction are recommended for gastrointeritis and diarrhoea, etc., the young leaves and shoots are used for dysentery and diarrhoea. 

The essential oil has also been proven to have anti-inflammatory effect.

Antispasmodic: This plant is among the aromatic antispasmodics; a decoction of the
young leaves and shoots is prescribed in the (bark as well).  In the West Indies it is used as a febrifuge, antispasmodic bath (decoction of shoots and young leaves). They are recommended flegs. The young leaves and shoots are used for The leaves of the guava tree in decoction  It has been used for spasms, fevers, worms, diabetes .

Conjunctivitis: Flowers are also used as a poultice for conjunctivitis. This use is reflected by that in the Amazon, where the flowers are also mashed and applied to painful eye conditions such as sun strain, conjunctivitis or eye injuries.

Coughs: Boiled with lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) to make a decoction that is drunk for coughs.

Diabetes: The leaves are also used for several other ailments including diabetes. The leaf infusions are used in the Cape for diabetes . Water in which the fruit is soaked is good for thirst in diabetes.

Food uses: The fruit is sweet and is eaten raw or cooked. It makes good jam and is universally known for its jelly . The fruit is rich in vitamin C, and is eaten raw, candied, or made into jellies and jams. The fruits are edible and the juice is used as a refreshing drink . Eating the fruit may well have longer term cardioprotective effects as a result of the antioxidant and free radical protection the plant was proved to offer. The fruit is also a source of antioxidant dietary fibre . Guava powder containing 2,500-3,000 mg
ascorbic acid was commonly added to military rations in World War II.

Gout: Fruits are recommended for gout.

Haemostatic: Said to stem the flow of blood.

Kidney problems:  The young leaves and shoots are used for inflammation of the kidney and kidney problems . In India the leaf decoction used for nephritis(an inflammation of the kidney).

Malaria: The leaves are used as an ingredient in the preparation of fever "teas". They are also used as part of the pot herb used in steam treatment for malaria.

Vaginal disorders: In Uruguay, a decoction of the leaves is used as a vaginal and uterine wash, especially in leucorrhoea where it can be infused and applied as a douche. The leaves of the guava tree in decoction are recommended for uterine haemorrhage. The same decoction is used as a wash for vaginal and uterine
problems, and especially where an astringent remedy is needed .

Tonic: It is used as a restorative aid in convalescence.

Parturient: A combined decoction of leaves and bark is given to expel the placenta after childbirth.