Panama Naturopath.com

They are a common fruit in the tropics, which grows to about the size of an apple. You will know which trees when I describe them to you – smooth copper brown thin bark, which peels off to reveal a green underneath. The leaves and the bark of this tree enjoy a long history of medicinal uses. Traditionally many Indian tribes in South America decoct (boil in water) the bark or infuse the leaves as a treatment for diarrhea. Also used for vomiting, stomach upsets and intestinal worms.

Centuries ago, European explorers, and missionaries in the Amazon region took the tasty fruit to Africa, Asia, India and the tropical regions of the pacific. The fruit varies, guavas can be round, oval or pear shaped, can be white, pink, yellow, orange or red.  The fruit is pungent and sweet, containing lots of small edible seeds. The fruit should be soft and creamy and has an edible skin/rind.  The leaves are a dull green with a leathery texture with pronounced veins, underside of the leaves are little downy and when crushed release an aromatic small.

Guava is rich in tannins, phenols, triterpene, flavonoids, essentials oils, saponins, carotenoids., lectins, vitamins, fiber and fatty acids. This fruit is higher in vitamin C than citrus fruits. Guavas like apples are a good source of pectin (a soluble fiber) helping to lower cholesterol and encouraging detoxification. The flavonoid quercetin is attributed with much of the plants active properties, besides being anti-bacterial it relaxes the smooth muscle and inhibits bowel contractions.

The guava fruit and juice has been researched and documented as having a positive effect on lowering blood sugar levels in diabetic animals and humans.  It has been suggested that anyone with hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) should not eat much of this fruit. The juice of the guava fruit is very good for children with diarrhea, even safe for quite young children. For infants and children just one cup of guava juice is helpful for diarrhea.  For adults it is better to take the infusion of leaves.

Guava is also known to kill bacteria, fungi, yeast, fights free-radials, reduces spasms and helps lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In research guava has been demonstrated as a cardiac depressant and should be taken with caution by anyone on heart medication.

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