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The guava (Psidium guajava) is the fruit of the guava tree, a medicinal plant also known as guava, guayaba, guayaba, guayaba, guayaba (Spanish), among other popular names. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family.

✔History and curiosities

Guava seeds have been found stored with seeds of other plants such as beans, squash and maize in archaeological sites in Peru dating back thousands of years. The species Psidium guajava is part of the National List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the SUS (RENISUS), made up of plant species with the potential to advance in the stages of the production chain and generate products of interest to the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

✔Benefits of guava

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The bark, fruit and leaf of the guava concentrate the properties of the plant, which has a long history of medicinal uses. The Tikuna Indians traditionally use the decoction of guava leaves and bark to cure diarrhoea and dysentery, and the Dutch Pharmacopoeia considers guava leaves to be indicated for the treatment of diarrhoea. Indians also use it for sore throats, vomiting, stomach problems, vertigo and to help regularise menstrual periods.
Guava leaves are chewed to relieve bad breath and stop bleeding gums. Leaf extract is also used as a douche for candidiasis. The leaves are crushed and applied to wounds and bruises. Chewing guava leaves before drinking alcoholic beverages is said to prevent hangovers. A decoction of the bark or leaves or infusion of the flower is used topically for ulcers and skin wounds. The crushed flowers are applied to eye bruises, eye injuries and conjunctivitis. Guava is widely used in folk medicine as a natural antiseptic, even though it interacts with other synthetic and concentrated antiseptics, it enhances the effects due to its hypoallergenic properties (decreases the chances of allergy incidence).

The use of guava for the treatment of gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and other digestive disorders has been validated in numerous studies. Human clinical trials have shown that guava plant extract is effective in the treatment of diarrhoea in adults. Guava leaf extracts and fruit juice have also been clinically studied for childhood diarrhoea.

Guava is rich in tannins, phenols, triterpenes, flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, carotenoids, lectins, vitamins, fibre and fatty acids. The fruit is rich in vitamin C and a good source of pectin, a dietary fibre. Guava leaves are rich in flavonoids, mainly quercetin, and much of guava's therapeutic activity is attributed to these flavonoids, which have demonstrated antibacterial activity. Quercetin is thought to contribute to guava's anti-diarrhoeal effect, as it may relax intestinal smooth muscle and inhibit intestinal contractions. In addition, other flavonoids and triterpenes present in guava leaves showed antispasmodic activity.

✔Contraindications and side effects of guavas

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Excessive consumption of guavas is not recommended for people with fragile digestive systems or intestinal problems.