Guava - Medicinal Herb Info

Scientific Names

guava

Psidium guajava L.
Psidium guajava Linn.

Common Names

Amrood

Amrut Phala

Araçá-goiaba (Brazil)

Araçá-Guaçú

Banjiro (Japanese)

Brazilian Guava

Brazilian Red Guava

Common Guava

Fan Shi Liu

Feuille de Goyavier

Goiabeiro

Goyabe

Goyave Jaune

Goyave Rouge

Goyavier

Goyavier du Brésil

Guaiava

Guajava

Guava

Guavenbaum

Guayabo

Guayave

Gwaaba

Goyave (French)

Guave (German)

Goiaba (Portuguese)

Guayaba (Spanish)

Jambu Batu

Koejawel

Lemon Guava

Mansala

Pépin de Goyave

Poor man’s apple of the tropics

Psidium

Psidium guajava

Pulpe de Goyave

Red Guava

Yellow Guava

Parts Usually Used

The leaves, fruit, bark, roots, and flowers. Various parts of the plant, including the leaf and the fruit, are used as medicine, with leaves being the most commonly used for medicinal purposes.
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

guava

Guava is a small tree that grows up to 10 meters high with thin, smooth, patchy, peeling bark. The leaves are opposite, short-petiolate, with oval blades featuring prominent pinnate veins, measuring 5-15 cm long. The flowers are somewhat showy with whitish petals up to 2 cm long and numerous stamens. The fruit is a fleshy yellow globose to ovoid berry about 5 cm in diameter with an edible pink mesocarp containing numerous small hard white seeds.
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Where Found

Guava is native to tropical areas from southern Mexico to northern South America, extending throughout Central and South America. It now grows in all tropical and subtropical areas of the world, adapting to different climatic conditions but preferring dry climates. The plant is widely cultivated in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Africa, Asia, and many other tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In India, although planted in almost all states, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal are important cultivators.
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Medicinal Properties

Guava possesses numerous medicinal properties that have been extensively researched and documented. The plant exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer, antidiarrheal, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antispasmodic, analgesic, antipyretic, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, anti-allergic, wound healing, and nephroprotective properties.

The guava fruit is a source of vitamin C, fiber, and other substances that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants slow down or stop the harmful effects of oxidation. Guava leaves also contain chemicals with antioxidant and other effects, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, glycosides, alkaloids, and saponins.

Studies have demonstrated the plant’s effectiveness against various conditions including gastrointestinal infections, respiratory infections, oral and dental infections, skin infections, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, malnutrition, women’s health problems, pain, fever, liver problems, and kidney problems. The antimicrobial properties are effective against 34 bacterial species, 19 fungal species, six protozoal species, and four types of viruses.
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Biochemical Information

Guava leaves contain a rich array of bioactive compounds responsible for their medicinal properties. Key components include:

Flavonoids: Quercetin, avicularin, apigenin, guaijaverin, kaempferol, hyperin, myricetin, catechin, epicatechin, isoquercitrin, rutin
Phenolic acids: Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, ellagic acid
Tannins: Various condensed and hydrolyzable tannins
Triterpenoids: Betulinic acid, lupeol, ursolic acid
Essential oils: β-caryophyllene, α-pinene, 1,8-cineole, limonene
Polysaccharides: Water-soluble polysaccharides with antioxidant properties
Meroterpenes: Guajadial, psidial A, psiguadial A and B

Quercetin is identified as one of the most predominant and pharmacologically active flavonoids in guava leaves, exhibiting strong antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities.
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Uses

Guava has been used in traditional medicine systems worldwide for centuries. The most common traditional use is as an anti-diarrheal remedy, with preparations of leaves used in folk medicine in several countries. Other traditional applications include:

Gastrointestinal disorders: Diarrhea, dysentery, stomach aches, indigestion, gastroenteritis
Respiratory conditions: Cough, sore throat, bronchitis, tuberculosis
Women’s health: Menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, uterine bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage
Oral care: Toothache, mouth ulcers, gum disease, dental infections
Skin conditions: Wounds, ulcers, skin infections, eczema, scabies
Metabolic disorders: Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol
Pain and inflammation: Rheumatism, arthritis, general pain relief
Fever and infections: General infections, malaria, fever reduction

Different parts of the plant are prepared as decoctions, infusions, poultices, or chewed directly depending on the condition being treated.

Modern Clinical Applications

Recent clinical trials and research have validated many traditional uses of guava:

Diabetes management: Guava leaf tea is commercially available in Japan as a Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) product for blood sugar control
Menstrual pain: Clinical trials show 6 mg/day of guava leaf extract significantly reduces menstrual cramps
Cardiovascular health: Studies demonstrate reduced blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and improved heart health markers
Diarrhea treatment: Proven effective in reducing duration and severity of acute diarrhea
Oral health: Shown to reduce dental plaque and gingivitis when used as mouth rinse

Formulas or Dosages

Dosages vary depending on the condition and preparation method:

For diabetes: 400g/day of guava fruit for 9 weeks, or guava leaf tea as directed
For menstrual cramps: 6 mg flavanol/day from guava leaf extract
For diarrhea: Decoction of guava leaves (handful of leaves boiled in water) taken throughout the day
For oral care: Guava leaf extract mouthwash or chewing young leaves
For general health: 50-400 mg/kg body weight of various extracts (doses from research studies)

The appropriate dose depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. Natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Consult healthcare professionals before using.
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Nutrient Content

One guava fruit (approximately 55g) provides:

37 calories
0.52 g fat
7.86 g carbohydrates
2.97 g fiber
4.9 g total sugar
1.4 g protein
125 mg vitamin C (139% of Daily Value)
229 mg potassium (6.7% of Daily Value)
12.1 mg magnesium (2.8% of Daily Value)
127 mcg copper (14.1% of Daily Value)

Guava contains roughly five times the amount of vitamin C as oranges in the same serving size, making it an excellent source of this essential nutrient.
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How Sold

Guava medicinal products are available in various forms:

Fresh fruit and leaves
Dried leaf powder
Guava leaf tea bags
Standardized leaf extracts in capsules
Liquid extracts and tinctures
Essential oils
Topical creams and ointments
Dietary supplements

Warning

General Safety: Guava fruit is generally safe when eaten as food. Guava leaf extract may be safe when used short-term as medicine, but may cause temporary nausea or stomach pain in some people.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Guava is likely safe when eaten as food during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, there isn’t enough reliable information about the safety of using guava as medicine during these periods. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Diabetes: Guava might lower blood sugar. People with diabetes should monitor blood sugar carefully when using guava medicinally, as medication doses may need adjustment.

Surgery: Guava might lower blood sugar and potentially increase bleeding risk. Stop using guava as medicine at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.

Eczema: Guava leaf extract might make eczema worse due to skin-irritating compounds. Use with caution if you have eczema.

Drug interactions: Guava may interact with diabetes medications, potentially causing blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor blood sugar closely and consult healthcare providers about potential dose adjustments.

Digestive effects: Due to high fiber content, consuming large amounts may cause digestive discomfort or constipation in some people.
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