Guava is a sweet exotic fruit found abundantly in Guyana. Sometimes the things found abundantly is often taken for granted and guava leaves are no exception. The leaves are sold for as much as US$20 for 10 leaves in the US.
For years, people have been using guava leaves for its health benefits. Here area few of those benefits you didn’t know about:
1. Prevent Hair Loss – Make your hair grow like crazy!
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.
- 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.
2. 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.
3. Moderates cholesterol
In a 2013 study guava leaf extract was shown to effectively reduce triglycerides (fat) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) and increase high-density lipoproteins (“good” cholesterol).
4. 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.
5. Male fertility enhancer
A Nigerian study found guava leaf extract to increase male fertility in rats without toxic side effects and with implications for humans. See: http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jestft/papers/vol3-issue2/G0323335.pdf?id=3674
6. 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.
7. Respiratory ailments
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Healthy Skin
11. Antiseptic
Because of its microbial properties, crushed guava leaves can be used to treat and promote healing of minor cuts and scrapes.
