Health Benefits of Guava Leaves

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.

Hair – The vitamin B complex (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine) in guava leaves can prevent hair loss and promote its growth. As a hair and scalp treatment, follow the recipe below.

1. 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.
2. Strain the leaves from the water.
3. Massage the guava leaf tea into your scalp and apply to hair, starting at the roots and working through to the ends.
4. Leave on for 2 hours (or more), then rinse.

Diabetes and weight loss – Guava leaves regulate blood sugar, preventing diabetes. 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).

Digestive health – Guava leaf extract causes apoptosis (cell death) in stomach cancer cells. Generally promoting digestive health, guava leaf tea is effective on treating diarrhea, food poisoning, and upset stomach.

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. 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.”

Male fertility – A Nigerian study found guava leaf extract to increase male fertility in rats without toxic side effects and with implications for humans.

Allergies – Guava contains quercetin, the flavonoid antioxidant yellow/orange pigment that is a potent antihistamine, reducing allergic response. 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.

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.

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.

Just for fun:

 “The alcoholic extract of Pisidium guajava (Guava) leaves was found to act as a good corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M phosphoric acid medium. A maximum inhibition efficiency of 89% was obtained for an inhibitor concentration of 800 ppm in the weight loss studies for 1 h immersion time.”

You might say it’s an anti-aging agent for Superman.

http://humannhealth.com/health-benefits-guava-leaves/5748/