Guava Leaves Have Healing Contents Hessed Thei D.

Lagrimas

Guavas are plants in the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae) genus Psidium, which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees(wikipedia). They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Guavas are now cultivated and naturalized throughout the tropics and subtropics in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, subtropical regions of North America, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, Spain and the Philippines (Wikipedia). Its leaves decoction is recognized for its effectiveness to cure several ailments, including the treatment of uterine hemorrhage, swollenness of the legs and other parts of the body, of chronic diarrhea, and gastroenteritis, among others. The most common use of the leaves is for cleaning and disinfecting wounds by rinsing the afflicted area with a decoction of the leaves (Herbal Medicine). But why does it have such therapeutic claims? During World War II, the guava tree got top rating as a herbal medication. After the fall of Bataan to the Japanese, ailing Filipino soldiers imprisoned in a crowded, dysentry-ravaged concentration camp managed to survive by gathering guava leaves in the prison grounds, boiling them and drinking the watery solution. By this simple mode of medication thousands of lives were saved in the prison (Belardo et al. 1986). Talk about Historical fact! According to Wikipedia these delicious fruits are high in Lycopene (5204 mg), Potassium (417 mg), beta-carotene (374 mg) and vitamin C (228.3 mg) (Wikipedia, table). However, the focus of this research will not be the fruit but the leaves. Our ancestors have used these in various ways. Kaljeen even cited that these had been used to cure diarrhea (Kaljee et al. 2004, p 139-149). According to studies guava leaves are antibacterial, it can regulate blood glucose levels and help make you thin! It can even allow you to drink as much as you want and not have (many) repercussions the next day!(Why Should Anyone Care ) Dr. Haider wrote that Guava leaves are full of great antioxidants, antibacterial agents, antiinflammatory agents, beneficial tannins and they also help with pain (Haider, 2013) Further studies concerning Guava leaves extract continues to awaken the minds of even the academe. In fact the Psidium Guajava : ( Myrataceae ), Commonly known as the poor mans apple of the Tropics is being validated by scientific research. Guava is rich in tannins, phenols, flavanoids, essential oils, lectins, vitamins, fatty acids etc. Much of the guavas medicinal activity is attributed to these flavanoids. The flavonoids have demonstrated anti-bacterial activity (Ismail et al. 2012). These composition are indeed helpful and beneficial. Within the Archipelago studies prove that the leaves contain limonene, menthol, terpenyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, longicyclene, caryophyllene, -bisabolene, caryophyllene oxide, -

copanene, farnesene, humulene, selinene, cardinene and curcumene. The essential oil from the leaves has been shown to contain, nerolidiol, -sitosterol, ursolic, crategolic, and guayavolic acids have also been identified (Dweck). Accordingly leaf extracts enters into a Nigerian remedy for skin infections, and examinations have shown positive action on Gram-positive microbial organisms (Dweck). In fact this strong action of the Guava leaves inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus Aureus. This is a bacterium that is a member of the Firmicutes, and is frequently found in the human respiratory tract and on the skin. Although S. aureus is not always pathogenic, it is a common cause of skin infections (e.g. boils), respiratory disease (e.g. sinusitis), and food poisoning. Disease-associated strains often promote infections by producing potent protein toxins, and expressing cell-surface proteins that bind and inactivate antibodies.(Wikipedia) The curative effects of Guava leaves are so positive that it is concluded to be a safe alternative to antibiotics and an effective curative treatment against vibriosis. (Pahila, 2009, p.90) Because of its use Guavas are a common site in our backyards. In line with this paper it will be beneficial for each family to have its own Guava tree and be fully educated as to how its therapeutic effect can be maximized.

References Belardo,L. ,Smith, R., Robinson, J. and Albano, V. (1986) A Chemical Study of the Essential Oil From The Fruit Peelin of PSIDIUM GUAJAVA L.: The Philippine Journal of Science. vol. 115 No. 1. January-March Dweck , Anthony C., A review of Guava (Psidium guajava). http://www.dweckdata.com/ Published_papers/Psidium_guajava.pdf Haider, Paul Dr. (2013, February 12) Guava Leaves Serious Medicine for Modern Health Challenges,OM TIMES, Herbal Medicine.http://lmc.lorma.org/pdf/bayabas(January).pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guava http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staphylococcus_aureus Ismail,M. , Minhas,PS., Khanum,F., Sahana, vm. and Sowmya,C. (Jan Mar 2012) Antibacterial Activity of Leaves Extract of Guava (Psidium Guajava). International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Vol. 3 (1) Kaljee. T, Thiem. VS, Von Seidlein. S, Genberg. F, Canh. H, Tho. T, Truong. T, Kim. L, Trach. J, and Duc. D, (2004) Healthcare Use for Diarrhoea and Dysentery in Actual and Hypothetical Cases, Nha Trang, Viet Nam. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 22(2): 139-

149.
Pahila, I. Espanola, F. and Ticar, B. (2009). Guava (Psidium Guajava Linn.) Leaves as a preventive agent and curative treatment for visbrosis. Philippine Journal of Natural Sciences. Vol 14 No 2 Why Should Anyone Care About Guava Leaf Extract. http://www.guavaleafextract.com/whyshould-anyone-care-about-guava-leaf-extract/