Guava leaves have several potential medicinal and biological properties that offer an array of health benefits. Guava (Psidium guaajava) is a member of the Myrtacae family which is a native to tropical and subtropical countries. It is commonly used as food and processed as juice and jam. Owing to the side effects resulting from the usage of medicine and drugs, herbal plant is being increasingly studied and considered for the treatment of various disease and guava leaf is one of them. Due to the medicinal properties of guava leaf, their supplements are nowadays available in the form of capsules and guava leaf tea.
Studies have shown that potential pharmacological activities of the extract from the leaves of guavas include antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-allergy, anti-microbial, anti-genotoxic, antiplasmodial, cytotoxic, anti-spasmodic, cardioactive, anti-cough, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities. Guava leaves are the store house of antioxidants, vitamin C, flavonoids including quercelin, polyphenols, carotenoid, tannis, and minerals that can be extremely effective in treating various diseases.
Top Benefits of Guava Leaves
1. Controls Diabetes
The number of diabetes mellitus cases has been increasing worldwide in recent years. In 2000, the World Health Organization estimated a total of 171 million people with diabetes mellitus from the global population, and this figure has been projected to increase to 366 million by 2030.
Guava leaves are used in folk medicine in subtropical areas around the world because of its pharmacological activities. The leaf extract of guava has traditionally been used for the treatment of diabetes in East Asia and other countries.
Studies have shown that guava extract can reduce blood glucose levels. The study showed that guava leaf extract can inhibit the action of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme which breaks down starch and other carbohydrates to glucose. Results from the study suggested that drinking guava leaf extract with every meal improves other symptoms of diabetes like hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. Drinking guava leaf extract along with anti-diabetic medicines is safe and has no side effects.
2. Reduces The Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
According to a 2010 study published in the International Food Research Journal, regular consumption of guava leaves can help reduce blood pressure and blood lipids. It's potassium, vitamin C, and fibre content are thought to give it the cardioprotective properties. Potassium helps maintain a steady heartbeat and control high blood pressure, while vitamin C keeps the blood vessels healthy. Lycopene found in pink guava helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people who eat this fruit on a regular basis. Guava also helps lower the levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol, which contribute to the development of heart disease.
3. Treatment of Diarrhoea and Dysentery
Guava contains natural phytochemicals that have a natural antibiotic activity that help kill pathogens responsible for diarrhoea and dysentery. Diarrhea is a condition in which faeces are discharged from the bowels frequently in liquid form due to bacteria infection of Staphylococcus aureus.
According to a 2013 study published in the International Journal of Microbiology, guava leaf (Pisidium guajava Li.) extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which is a common cause of diarrhoea. Guava leaf tea is good for your digestive tract; its anti bacteria properties helps to cure dysentery by inhibiting microbial growth and removing extra mucus from your intestine.
4. Lowers Cholesterol
Guava leaf tea helps to lower the levels of Triglyceride and Low-Density Lipoprotein (bad cholesterol), which may contribute to the development of heart diseases. According to a 2010 study, participants who drank guava leaf tea had lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein after eight weeks whether or not they were receiving medical treatment to lower their cholesterol level.
Another study published in the India Journal of Medical Research reported that guava leaf contains active phytochemical compound such as cathechin gallic acid and epicathecin which can inhibit pancreatic cholesterol esterase which slightly reduces cholesterol levels.
5. Lowers Risk of Cancer
Lycopene. qiercetom. vitamin C and other polyphenols found in guava leaves have been found to help prevent the metastasis of cancerous cells. According to results from recent studies, guava has been found to primarily prevent the risk of prostrate cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer breast cancer and oral cancer. It was also found that regular intake of guava extract may help reduce the incidence and size of prostate cancer in men.
Some studies have also found that guava leaves can also reduce the growth of cancerous cell and may be even more effective than medicine used in modern cancer treatment. The fibre in guava is also good for cleaning toxins from the colon, maintain its health and prevent colon cancer.
The abundant vitamin C in guava acts as an antioxidant which are helpful in boosting your immune system and more protection from free radicals. Cancer is frequently caused by free radicals, so providing the protection from them is the same as lowering the risk of cancer.
Guava leaf contains quarcetin which is an anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine agent that can inhibit the development of allergies such as food allergy, skin and asthma reaction. The anti-inflammatory property of guava has the ability to inhibit anti-inflammatory molecules like prostaglandins which help to protect you from various kind of diseases. The vitamin C content in guava leaf plays an important role in improving your immunity. Guava leaves also have great healing properties that can treat wounds such as cuts, abrasion, etc.
6. Promote Rapid Weight Loss
You want to lose a few pounds? Consumption of guava leaves either by chewing them or drinking the leave extract is an effective method for losing weight. Guava leaves can do this by helping prevent complex carbs from turning into sugar, thus, promoting rapid weight loss. Carbs must be broken down in the liver for use by the body and guava leaves prevent the transition of carbohydrates to usable compounds.
Interestingly guava can also help skinny people to gain weight. This is probably due to its wealth of nutrients, which regulates the metabolism and promotes proper absorption of nutrients.
7. Boost Immunity
Guava leaf contains quarcetin which is an anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine agent that can inhibit the development of allergies such as food allergy, skin and asthma reaction. The anti-inflammatory property of guava has the ability to inhibit anti-inflammatory molecules like prostaglandins which help to protect you from various kind of diseases. The vitamin C content in guava leaf plays an important role in improving your immunity. Guava leaves also have great healing properties that can treat wounds such as cuts, abrasion, etc.
8. Good for Your Brain
Guavas contain vitamin B3 and vitamin B6, also known as niacin and pyridoxine respectively which are both very appropriate for supporting brain's health. Vitamin B6 is required by your brain to improve its function. These vitamins can maintain the proper blood circulation to your brain resulting in relaxed nerves and sharpened focus. The potassium in guava leaf also helps maintain the electrical conductivity of your brain, which is important for improving thinking as well as memorising.
2. After the drying, crush into powder
3. Use one table spoon of guava leaves and add it to one cup of hot water.
4. Let it brew for 5 minutes then you can strain it.
5. Drink guava leaves tea regularly, once a day.
Happy Healthy Living
9. Maintains Oral Health
Guava leaves are known to keep oral or mouth health. Tender guava leaf is recommended for maintaining your mouth hygiene because it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial properties that can help reduce gum inflammation and leave your breath fresh and clean.10. Increases The Fertility of Men
A study published in the African Journal of Medicine showed that guava leaves have potential effect in increasing sperm count. Consumption of guava leaf tea has been proven to be effective in increasing sperm production, thus helping with conception.How to Make Guava Leaves Tea
1. Dry some young guava leaves2. After the drying, crush into powder
3. Use one table spoon of guava leaves and add it to one cup of hot water.
4. Let it brew for 5 minutes then you can strain it.
5. Drink guava leaves tea regularly, once a day.
Happy Healthy Living
Never knew Guava leaves has such good benefits..the tea is worth trying!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth trying. Guava leaf has a lot of health benefits. I recommend you also read the health benefits of guava fruit itself. Thank you for visiting healthostyle. Cheers.
DeleteNever tried but will look into it. I wonder if the same effects work with regular guava juice? Good article thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePlease try and look into it. If the guava juice is natural and not an artificial beverage, then you can get all the health benefits too from drinking it. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteBut heaven knows I had my share of guava itself growing up, but I've thought guava leaves have such health benefit to be honest. Lovely article and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are very lucky to have had a share of guava while growing up. Yes, guava leaf has a lot of health benefits. Drink guava leaf tea whenever you've got the opportunity. Thank you.
DeleteThanks for showing the health benefits of guava. I live in India and diabetes is increasing rapidly. I am sure consumption of guava will help! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWHO predict 366 million people to have diabetes by 2030. Regular consumption of guava can reduce the incidence of diabetes drastically.
DeleteThanks. There are a lot of factors involved. I would recommend that you check with a physician for recommendations.
ReplyDeleteGuava is a tropical fruit which has various health benefits and can be used to cure diseases.
ReplyDeleteThanks for great article for sharing content and such nice informative for me, I hope you will share some more content about . please keep sharing.(Vata Dosha).
ReplyDelete