Guava: a sweet exotic fruit native to Mexico, Central and South America. One guava fruit contains three times the daily vitamin C requirement, potassium, fiber, vitamin A, and lycopene. Whether whole fruit, juice, or jelly, guava is deliciously nutritious. And that’s just the fruit of the tree.
Health Benefits of Guava Leaves
Hair – The vitamin B complex (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine) in guava leaves can prevent hair loss and promote its growth. (1) As a hair and scalp treatment, follow the recipe below.
- Boil a handful of guava leaves in a quart of water for 20 minutes, then remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Strain the leaves from the water.
- Massage the guava leaf tea into your scalp and apply to hair, starting at the roots and working through to the ends.
- Leave on for 2 hours (or more), then rinse.
Diabetes and weight loss – Guava leaves regulate blood sugar, preventing diabetes. (2) By virtue of their high fiber content and inhibiting the conversion of complex carbohydrates into sugar, the leaves drunk in a tea can make you feel full and support weight loss.
Moderates cholesterol – In a 2013 study published in the Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, guava leaf extract was shown to effectively reduce triglycerides (fat) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) and increase high-density lipoproteins (“good” cholesterol). (3)
Digestive health – Guava leaf extract causes apoptosis (cell death) in stomach cancer cells. (4) Generally promoting digestive health, guava leaf tea is effective on treating diarrhea, food poisoning, and upset stomach. (5)
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Cancer – The lycopene content of guava leaves has been shown to inhibit the production the male hormone androgen, an over-abundance of which is responsible for some varieties of prostate cancer. (6) Various phytochemicals block certain proteins to mediate cell proliferation:
“…guava leaves can interfere with multiple signaling cascades linked with tumorigenesis and provide a source of potential therapeutic compounds for both the prevention and treatment of cancer.” (7)
Male fertility – A Nigerian study found guava leaf extract to increase male fertility in rats without toxic side effects and with implications for humans. (8)
Allergies – Guava contains quercetin, the flavonoid antioxidant yellow/orange pigment that is a potent antihistamine, reducing allergic response. (9) This same antihistamine action makes it effective in relieving the sting and itch of insect bites.
Respiratory ailments – Quercetin as found in guava leaves can also relieve asthma and other respiratory ailments, such as bronchitis and chronic cough. (10)
Dengue fever – a virus spread by mosquitoes in tropical regions that can be fatal to some with a compromised immune system. Guava leaf extract has been shown an effective remedy for dengue fever. (11)
Mouth health – Guava leaf juice has antibacterial properties—chewing a leaf is effective in promoting oral health, including soothing a toothache and reducing inflammation of the gums.
Skin – When used in a facial scrub, guava leaves can remove blackheads and impurities from the skin, instilling it with antioxidants and antibacterials. Simply crush some leaves in a little water until of a paste-like texture and wash your face with the mixture.
Antiseptic – Because of its microbial properties, crushed guava leaves can be used to treat and promote healing of minor cuts and scrapes.
