Guava / Psidium Guajava

Benefits of Guava, Medicinal uses, Dosage and side effects

Guava is a tropical fruit that helps to keep refreshed in summers and is one of the most common fruits on earth. Because of the even geographical distribution, it is enjoyed by many people around the world. It is the best healthy alternative for all age groups. It has a unique taste and has various health benefits, so it is called “Super fruit”. This super fruit can keep healthy bowel movements and eliminate toxins from the body. It is also edible by animals and birds and its branches are spread in all directions that provide shelter to birds and insects.

Latin Name: Psidium guajava

Family: Myrtaceae

Names in different languages:

• English Name – Abas, Guava, Govavier, Kuahpa, Kautonga
• Hindi Name – Amrud
• Punjabi Name – Amrut
• Sanskrit Name – Amratafalam, Perala
• Telugu Name – Giya-pandu, Jama, Jam-pandu
• Tamil Name – Koyyo, Koyapalam, Segapu
• Arabic Name – Guwafah
• French Name – Goyave, Goyavier, Gouyave
• Italian Name – Pero del India, Guaia giallo
• German Name – Guavenbaum
• Chinese Name – Fan shi liu
• Spanish Name – Guayabita, Guayaba, Guyava, Guayabero, Guayabo
• Portuguese Name – Guiaiva, Goiabam Goiabero

Synonyms:

Mriduphalam, Jamphal, Jamrud, Peyara, Kamsharn, Jmarukh, Sirogoyya, Koyya, Ambak, Segapugoyya, Judakaneh, Anjirzad, Segapu, Sengoyya, Ettajama, Goyya, Amritphalam, Goacchi, Muhuriam, Amba, Madhuriam, Amuk, Amrud, Koyya, Malakkapera, Pera, and Tupkel

Morphological characteristics:

Guava is a perennial plant that grows up to the height of 10 meters and is cultivated in both humid and dry climates on light sandy, heavy clay soil, etc. The stem of this plant is thick and woody. The bark is reddish-brown and smooth which peels off as flakes. Its leaves are simple, and opposite with 5 to 15 cm in length and 4 to 6 cm in width, dull gray to yellow. It has a short petiole. The shape of leaves is oblong to elliptical with an entire margin with veins are prominent and glands are dotted. Its flowers are hermaphrodite, the calyx is white, irregularly split into 2 to 4 lobes. Petals are 4 to 5 in numbers, and whitish. The fruit is pear-shaped with 4 to 12 cm in length and is berry type, green in color when unripe and yellow when ripe. Some guavas have white pulp while some have red which is juicy and creamy. Seeds are numerous that are scattered in pulp, kidney-shaped, and cream in color.

It is native to Mexico and Central America. It is cultivated in many parts of India.

Main chemical constituents:

Glycosides, Alkaloids, Sesquiterpenoid, Polysaccharides, minerals, steroids, enzymes, essential oils, proteins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, etc.

Nutrients:

Guava is rich in dietary fibers which are very essential for the body on daily basis. These fruits also contain Lycopene, phosphorous, sugars, vitamins-B1, B2, B3, C, folic acid, beta-carotene, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorous, zinc, etc.

Medicinal properties:

1. Rasa (Taste) – Madhura (sweet), Amla (Sour), and Kashaya (Astringent)
2. Guna (Quality) – Guru (Heavy) and Teekshna (Sharp)
3. Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cold)
4. Vipaka (Undergoes taste conversion after digestion) – Madhura (Sweet)
5. Prabhava (Effect on tridosha) – Vatapitta shaman (Pacifies vata and pitta dosha)

Common uses of Guava:

• In ancient times, guava is used to treat various diseases like cholesterol, diabetes, heart issues, etc.
• Its semi-ripe and ripe fruit are used in raw form to eat but for patients, it is given in the boiled form.
• Its red pulp is used to prepare squash and guava juice
• Seeds are useful in extracting oil
• Because of high pectin content, it is used to prepare jellies, jams, etc.

What are the nutrients in guava?

Medicinal uses of Guava:

• Guava is useful in cough, headache, cold, and body ache
• Its regular use helps to maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels
• Fresh paste of its leaves can be applied on painful joints to treat pain and swelling
• Its decoction is used in controlling fever and its associated symptoms
• Massage done with the decoction prepared with fresh guava leaves helps to relieve pain and swelling in the backbone. It helps to relieve various spinal as well as mental disorders
• Its fruit provide strength to the heart and improves its working
• Boiling leaves in water help to treat oral issues like toothache as it is used in the form of gargles
• It is also considered the richest source of vitamin C and therefore used in skin-related issues like wrinkles
• Vitamin E present in it helps to keep skin healthy and maintains the natural texture
• It also improves vision and shows good results in eye disorders.

Therapeutic uses:

Weight loss: Guava is the richest source of various vitamins, minerals, and proteins that help to maintain weight. This fruit has zero cholesterol in it that easily satisfies the appetite. It also increases or maintains the body’s metabolism and has less sugar than other fruits. This fruit burns the body’s accumulated fat naturally.

Constipation: Guava is the richest source of dietary fiber, it maintains healthy bowel movements. Being a natural laxative, it cleans the excretory system properly and as an antibacterial, it prevents the growth of bacteria in it and kills them.

Diabetes mellitus: In comparison to other fruits like oranges, apples, grapes, etc., guava has less sugar content which is indicated in patients who are suffering from diabetes mellitus. This fruit due to its anti-diabetic property maintains healthy blood sugar levels. It has high fiber content that controls the absorption of sugar in the body.

Toothache: Being an anti-inflammatory, it helps to reduce inflammation in the gums. Due to its antibacterial action, it can fight against germs and prevents their further growth. Regular use of its paste helps to treat oral ulcers, swollen gums, etc.

Boost immunity: Guava is the richest source of vitamin C than the other citrus fruits. As an immune-modulator, it increases immunity and prevents the body from infections. It is useful in cough, cold, running nose, watery eyes, etc.

Part used:

Leaves, fruits, and stem bark

Dosage:

Decoction- 10 to 20 ml

Conclusion:

From this article, it is concluded that Guava has various medicinal uses and is mainly useful in patients with diabetes mellitus. It can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding but in an appropriate quantity.

Note: Our purpose is to serve useful information related to Guava‘s benefits, dosage, and other properties. However guava is beneficial for every individual bit It is advised to the patients not to consume guava if they are allergic, pregnant women, and have eczema problems. Before taking guava as a medicine it is better to have an expert opinion because dosage and treatment vary from patient to patient depending on their symptoms and medical history.

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