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Just about everybody is familiar with guava, even if we have only had it as guava jelly and not as a fruit. However, how many of us realise that it is a wonder fruit? Guava has a longstanding tradition in the world of herbal medicine where the fruit, leaves and even the bark are used.
The guava contains carotonoids, which are phytonutrients, iron, folic acid, potassium, calcium and Vitamins A, B and C. In fact, the guava fruit contains five times as much Vitamin C as an orange.
Guava also contains pectin, making it rich in dietary fibre and it can be eaten by diabetics as it is hypoglyceric, which helps lower blood sugar levels in the body. It is also high in antioxidants and has astringent properties which help inhibit microbial activity in our system.
A decoction or tea made from guava leaves is excellent for relieving coughs as it helps to reduce mucus and disinfects the throat, respiratory tract and the lungs. Whenever you feel as though you are getting a sore throat, it is recommended that you gargle with guava leaf tea. Juice from the leaves can be used to help heal swollen gums, mouth ulcers and relieve toothache. Chewing guava leaves will help to stop bad breath.
Guava is excellent for the digestive system and is used to stop diarrhoea due to its antibacterial and astringent qualities that help to alkalise and bind the bowels while helping to inhibit the growth of microbes. It also removes excess mucus in the digestive system. The potassium and quercetin in guava will also help tone and strengthen while disinfecting.
Ironically, chewing guava seeds can make a good laxative while the high fibre content of the fruit can alleviate constipation and keep our system 'regular'.
Interestingly, a plant drug is being developed from the guava plant to control acute diarrhoea. Like many fruits, eating guava is beneficial for those who have high blood pressure as it helps to promote good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol. It helps to stop the blood from becoming thick, thus maintaining blood fluidity and so reducing the blood pressure. The lycopene in guava also helps to protect the prostate.
Guava is an excellent source of nutrition for the skin and a decoction from the leaves can be used to help heal skin inflammations and also as a skin toner. It is especially good for problem skin as it cleanses and unclogs the pores by dissolving sebum, and used as a toner will help tighten the pores. Due to its high antioxidant and Vitamin content it will help to generally improve skin texture. Its antibacterial properties make it an excellent natural underarm deodorant by simply crushing a few leaves and rubbing them into your skin daily.
Guava Glow Masque
Ingredients
1 guava
2 oz oats
1 small squeeze of lime
Method
Scoop out seeds and remove flesh from skin. Blend all ingredients and apply to freshly cleansed skin. Leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Guava Leaf Toner
Ingredients
6 guava leaves
2 cups of water
Method: Boil water and pour over guava leaves in a glass bowl. Allow to seep or infuse for ten minutes. Cool then strain liquid into a glass bottle and put in the refrigerator. Use twice weekly for cleansing your skin. Good for all types of skin.
Guava Smoothie
Ingredients
1 banana
1 guava
2 slices pineapple
1 tsp honey
Juice from 1/2 a lime
4 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
2 oz oats - optional
1 small yogurt - optional
Add ice as desired
Method
Remove seeds from guava and scoop the flesh out of the skin into blender. Add all other ingredients, blend and enjoy, as an energy boost either first thing in the morning or as a meal substitute during the day.
Stella Gray is the Spa Elder at Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon, with over 35 years in the spa industry. She can be reached at [email protected].
The guava contains carotonoids, which are phytonutrients, iron, folic acid, potassium, calcium and Vitamins A, B and C. In fact, the guava fruit contains five times as much Vitamin C as an orange.
Guava also contains pectin, making it rich in dietary fibre and it can be eaten by diabetics as it is hypoglyceric, which helps lower blood sugar levels in the body. It is also high in antioxidants and has astringent properties which help inhibit microbial activity in our system.
A decoction or tea made from guava leaves is excellent for relieving coughs as it helps to reduce mucus and disinfects the throat, respiratory tract and the lungs. Whenever you feel as though you are getting a sore throat, it is recommended that you gargle with guava leaf tea. Juice from the leaves can be used to help heal swollen gums, mouth ulcers and relieve toothache. Chewing guava leaves will help to stop bad breath.
Guava is excellent for the digestive system and is used to stop diarrhoea due to its antibacterial and astringent qualities that help to alkalise and bind the bowels while helping to inhibit the growth of microbes. It also removes excess mucus in the digestive system. The potassium and quercetin in guava will also help tone and strengthen while disinfecting.
Ironically, chewing guava seeds can make a good laxative while the high fibre content of the fruit can alleviate constipation and keep our system 'regular'.
Interestingly, a plant drug is being developed from the guava plant to control acute diarrhoea. Like many fruits, eating guava is beneficial for those who have high blood pressure as it helps to promote good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol. It helps to stop the blood from becoming thick, thus maintaining blood fluidity and so reducing the blood pressure. The lycopene in guava also helps to protect the prostate.
Guava is an excellent source of nutrition for the skin and a decoction from the leaves can be used to help heal skin inflammations and also as a skin toner. It is especially good for problem skin as it cleanses and unclogs the pores by dissolving sebum, and used as a toner will help tighten the pores. Due to its high antioxidant and Vitamin content it will help to generally improve skin texture. Its antibacterial properties make it an excellent natural underarm deodorant by simply crushing a few leaves and rubbing them into your skin daily.
Guava Glow Masque
Ingredients
1 guava
2 oz oats
1 small squeeze of lime
Method
Scoop out seeds and remove flesh from skin. Blend all ingredients and apply to freshly cleansed skin. Leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Guava Leaf Toner
Ingredients
6 guava leaves
2 cups of water
Method: Boil water and pour over guava leaves in a glass bowl. Allow to seep or infuse for ten minutes. Cool then strain liquid into a glass bottle and put in the refrigerator. Use twice weekly for cleansing your skin. Good for all types of skin.
Guava Smoothie
Ingredients
1 banana
1 guava
2 slices pineapple
1 tsp honey
Juice from 1/2 a lime
4 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
2 oz oats - optional
1 small yogurt - optional
Add ice as desired
Method
Remove seeds from guava and scoop the flesh out of the skin into blender. Add all other ingredients, blend and enjoy, as an energy boost either first thing in the morning or as a meal substitute during the day.
Stella Gray is the Spa Elder at Fern Tree, the Spa at Half Moon, with over 35 years in the spa industry. She can be reached at [email protected].
and i get the small sweet ones. great for the digestion. 
stick from di guava tree good fi beat pickney wid, it bends widout breaking 
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