Guava leaves come from a medicinal plant, Guava, whose scientific name is Guavawhich can be used to treat diarrhea, diabetes and high cholesterol or to relieve pain due to its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
This plant is famous for its fruit guava. However, its leaves have medicinal properties and can be used to make teas, compresses, sitz baths, or tinctures. Learn about the benefits of guava.
Guava leaves can be found in natural products stores or herbalists and should be used under the guidance of a doctor or medicinal plant professional.
Its uses, advantages and properties
Guava leaves are suitable for:
1. Fight diarrhea
Guava leaves have antidiarrheal and antispasmodic properties as their composition contains quercetin, which helps to relax the intestinal muscles and prevent contractions, thereby fighting diarrhea.
In this way, guava leaf tea can be used to treat diarrhea caused by gastroenteritis or dysentery.
2. Control diabetes
Polysaccharides and flavonoids such as guava glycosides and guanosine present in guava leaves have anti-diabetic activity and help reduce blood sugar levels and control diabetes.
This is because in addition to improving the function of pancreatic beta cells, these substances also inhibit the activities of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, reducing the intestinal absorption of carbohydrates in food.
3. Lower “bad” cholesterol
Guava leaves are rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, guavarin, guanosine, myricetin and kaempferol, which have hypolipidemic properties, that is, they help reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and glycerol Triester levels.
However, it is important to emphasize that the use of guava leaves does not replace the changes in diet, exercise, and cholesterol medications noted by cardiologists. Check out other home remedies for lowering cholesterol.
4. Prevent cardiovascular disease
By helping to lower “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, guava leaves can help prevent cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, heart disease, or stroke.
Likewise, guava leaves help control blood sugar levels and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with diabetes.
5. Avoid fat accumulation in the liver
Guava leaves help prevent fat accumulation in the liver and the development of fatty liver disease, mainly due to the presence of flavonoids in its composition, which help reduce the liver’s resistance to insulin and the levels of liver enzymes such as ALT and AST.
In addition, this plant can help lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL), thereby reducing the risk of fatty liver disease.
6. Helps lose weight
Guava leaves have anti-obesity properties, primarily by helping reduce intestinal absorption of sugar and control blood sugar levels, thereby promoting weight loss.
Likewise, this plant helps control diabetes and lowers the levels of “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides, thereby preventing diabetes and high cholesterol levels in overweight and obese people.
In this way, guava leaves can be used along with a balanced, healthy, varied diet and exercise for weight loss. See what a balanced diet should look like.
7. Fight infections
Guava leaves have antibacterial properties that can help fight infections, especially wounds or ulcers on the skin, and aid in the healing of vaginal infections.
Additionally, guava leaves help fight infections in the mouth and gums, helping treat thrush, canker sores, gingivitis, and oral candidiasis.
8. Relieve pain
Guava leaves have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve a variety of pain, such as intestinal cramps, stomach pain, menstrual cramps, sore throat, or toothache.
9. Strengthen the immune system
Because guava leaves are rich in antioxidants, they can reduce free radical damage in the body, thereby improving the function of the body’s defense cells and strengthening the immune system.
10. Fights inflammation
Guava leaves have anti-inflammatory properties that help fight skin inflammation caused by wounds, insect bites, or acne.
11. Contribute to the fight against cancer
Guayabera leaves are rich in triterpenes, sesquiterpenes, tannins, volatile oils, flavonoids, benzophenone glycosides and quinones, which is why it has antioxidant, antiproliferative and antitumor properties.
Laboratory studies on breast, cervical, nasopharyngeal, prostate and colorectal cancer cells have shown that substances in guava leaves can promote reduced proliferation or increased death of these types of cancer cells.
However, studies in humans are still needed to verify this benefit. Learn about a list of foods that can help prevent cancer.
12. Fight hair loss
Guava leaves can also help prevent hair loss because they are rich in vitamins A, B, and C, which is why they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent hair loss and promote hair growth and can be used to help treat hair loss. For example, treating androgenic alopecia.
how to use
Fresh guava leaves and guava bark stems can be used to prepare teas, tinctures, essential oils, compresses, and sitz baths.
1. Guava leaf tea
Guava leaf tea should be prepared using fresh leaves of this medicinal plant.
raw material:
- 1 tablespoon fresh guava leaves;
- 1/2 liter of water.
Preparation method:
In a pot, bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and add the guava leaves. Cover the pot and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. After warming, strain and drink 2 to 3 times a day.
This tea can even be used as a mouthwash to treat mouth or gum infections such as oral candidiasis, canker sores, or gingivitis. In these cases, you should gargle guava leaf tea 2 to 3 times a day and then spit it out.
2. Guava leaf essential oil
Guava leaf essential oil can be used in massage as it has anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve the pain of fibromyalgia, muscle pain, and rheumatism.
To apply it to the skin, guava leaf essential oil must be diluted in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
Additionally, add a few drops of guava essential oil to your moisturizer or shampoo to take advantage of its antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Guava leaf essential oil can also be used in aromatherapy and added to a diffuser to scent a room. Learn how to use essential oils for aromatherapy.
3. Guava Leaf Tincture
Guava leaf tincture can be taken orally, and the adult dosage is 1 to 4 ml per day.
The duration of guava leaf tincture treatment depends on the medical indication.
4. Guava leaves reduce inflammation
To help treat skin inflammation, guava leaves can be used in the form of a compress.
raw material:
- 10 fresh guava leaves;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation method:
Bring water to a boil, add fresh guava leaves and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, let it cool, soak a cotton ball or gauze in the solution, and apply it to the skin for 20 minutes, 1 to 2 times a day.
5. Guava leaf sitz bath
Guava leaves have antibiotic properties and are an important ingredient in helping treat vaginal discharge or vaginal infections.
raw material:
- 30g guava leaves;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation method:
Bring water to a boil, turn off heat, add guava leaves, cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain the tea leaves and place the tea in a basin.
When the weather is hot, sit naked in a basin for a sitz bath and carefully wash the entire genital area until the water cools down. Repeat this process 2 to 3 times a day for 3 days.
6. Guava leaf hair care
Guava leaves for hair can be used in the form of tea. To do this, you should soak a cotton ball or dressing in guava leaf tea and apply it to your scalp, massaging gently for at least 10 minutes and leaving it on for 30 to 60 minutes.
Then, wash your hair normally with regular shampoo and conditioner.
Another option is to apply the tea to your scalp and leave it on overnight, then wash your hair the next morning. This procedure can be performed 2 to 3 times per week.
possible side effects
Guava leaf tea is well tolerated by most people when used in recommended amounts and for up to 30 days.
However, when consumed in excess or used by people with increased sensitivity in the digestive system, it may cause constipation, nausea, or stomach pain.
When applied to the skin, guava leaves may cause skin irritation or worsening of eczema in some people.
Contraindications
Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use guava leaves, whether in tea, tincture, essential oil or compress form.
Additionally, guava leaves are not suitable for people who are allergic to this medicinal plant or who have constipation problems.
People with diabetes should use guava leaf with caution as it can interact with diabetes medications and significantly lower blood sugar, causing hypoglycemia.
Because guava leaf tincture contains alcohol, it should also not be used by people being treated for alcoholism or taking the medication disulfiram.