Guava, the sweet tropical fruit is no doubt one of the most cherished fruit. One which is enjoyed by all especially by the young ones! The name itself reminds us of the fond childhood memories, right? Now if I would say there are numerous health benefits of its leaves – yes the guava leaves, you would probably shrug it off. So in this article, I am going to share some of the amazingly unknown health benefits of guava leaves which you would probably never have heard of.
Those coarse things which came with the fruit. Yes, those good for nothing leaves which you had to jostle to pick the fruit. These leaves can actually be a boon for you. They have enormous potential as a medicinal cure. They can cure a range of diseases from cholesterol to liver ailments – even Cancer!
The medicinal effect of guava leaves is because of its high polyphenol content. Of all the polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins are present in the highest percentage. The guava leaves have 1.4% of flavonoids content. Other important constituents are Saponin, Eugenol, and Tritenoids. Guava leaves are also rich in Vitamins of which Vitamin A, Vitamin B and Vitamin C are of primary importance.
Due to the presence of these biomolecules, guava leaves have such high medicinal property. This property helps in protecting our bodies from different ailments and keeps us healthy. Thus consuming guava leaves is full of health benefits. Let’s have a look at some of the health benefits of guava leaves:
15 Best Health Benefits of Guava Leaves:
1. It Prevents Hair Damage and Hair Loss.
The Vitamin B present in Guava leaves nourishes the scalp preventing hair loss and damage. Vitamin B is an essential nutrient required for hair growth. Thus by using guava leaves tonic, you can nourish the scalp which in turn will help in hair growth and make your hair strong.
It is prepared by boiling a handful of guava leaves in water for 20-30 minutes until the nutrients released into the water syrup. Cool down the tonic and massage your hair with it. Voila! You are done.
2. Reduces Obesity and Helps in Weight Loss.
Guava leaves have a unique property of inhibiting the formation of sugars. It resists the accumulation of carbohydrates and prevents their conversion into sugars. As a result, there is less craving for sugar which further results in satiety or feeling full. All this makes you feel content with what you eat and thus prohibit over-eating. Hence, you eat less and resist binge eating or over-eating. Ultimately you gain less weight and maintain healthy body weight.
In addition to this, the guava leaves also contain quercetin and catechin. Catechin burns down body fat while quercetin prevents the formation of fat cells. Hence this health benefit of guava leaves helps in reduction of obesity by preventing the accumulation of fat in the body.
3. Reduces Cataract Formation in the eye
The rich Vitamin A content of guava leaves inhibits cataract formation and macular degeneration. This property not only prevents the eye from cataract problems but also improves the overall eyesight of people. Hence, this health benefit of guava leaves is equally important for the elderly and the children.
4. Maintains a Healthy Cholesterol Level
The gallic acid and catechin content of guava leaves reduce the cholesterol level in blood. These two biomolecules inhibit an important pancreatic enzyme which breaks down esters into acids and alcohol. These compounds are further essential for the formation of cholesterol. Hence, pancreatic cholesterol esterase inhibition leads to a decrease in the cholesterol level. All this maintains a steady cholesterol level in our body. This is one of the prominent health benefits of guava leaves.
5. Prevents Diabetes
Diabetes, a disease which has become an epidemic all over the world can be kept at bay by consuming guava leaves. Type 2 Diabetes can be easily prevented with guava leaves. The primary biomolecule responsible for regulating the blood glucose level is catechin. Along with its fat-burning ability, this compound has blood sugar controlling ability. The combined effect of these two results in the high hypoglycemic effect and helps prevents diabetes.
6. Reduces Cardiac Problems
Quercetin, one of the major constituent of guava leaves, has high anti-oxidant property. It reduces the oxidative stress level in cells by preventing the formation of free radicals like superoxide. It also inhibits the formation of LDL cholesterol. Know how you can easily avoid cholesterol in your diet.
This low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol is known as the bad cholesterol. An increase of this cholesterol molecule causes various cardiac problems including high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis (deposition of fat on the blood vessels which results in high blood pressure, artery or vein blockage and coronary heart disease).
Thus one of the key health benefits of guava leaves is the reduction of heart-related diseases and problems.
7. Keeps the Brain Healthy and Active
Guava leaves are rich in Vitamin B. Now this Vitamin is actually a complex class of vitamin containing 12 different types of Vitamins named Vitamin B1, B2 and thus further. Of these 12 types of Vitamin B, Vitamin B3 (niacin) and Vitamin B6 are predominantly present in guava leaves.
These two vitamin B subtypes enhance brain health. Vitamin B3 or Niacin primarily aids in this process by facilitating steady blood flow in the brain. It helps in enhancing different cognitive abilities like reading, writing and thinking. It also helps in building up our concentration level and hence helps in focusing.
Thus consuming guava leaves keeps our brain healthy and is suitable for people suffering from cognitive problems and brain disorders.
8. Maintains the Thyroid Level
Guava leaves contain some microelements and Copper is one of them. Copper aids in controlling the thyroid hormone secretion level.
Thyroid is an essential gland in our body which secretes the thyroid hormones. It is required for the stimulation and activation of other hormones of our endocrine system. Hence, proper thyroid hormone level results in the correct hormonal balance and growth of our body.
9. Prevents Skin Damage, Acne and Allergies
Quercetin present in guava leaves prevents skin damage and keeps the skin young, healthy and radiant. The antioxidant property of this biomolecule counters the harmful effects of free radicals, thus it resists skin damage which further results in radiant glowing skin. So, the consumption of guava leaves is pivotal to prevent skin damage, acne and allergies.
Due to the antibacterial property of guava leaves, the acne-causing bacteria Pseudomonas acne is eradicated from the skin.
Similarly, the anti-inflammatory property of guava leaves cures inflammation, that is, the itchiness, swollenness and redness of the skin. The ethyl acetate component of guava leaves is responsible for these skincare properties. It can even act as a cure for dermatitis. Thus all of these elements makes it a potential skincare treatment.
10. Maintains a Good Oral Health
Guava leaves with its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory property act as a potential ingredient of oral health. It prevents gum swelling and inflammation. It cleans the teeth area. Chewing guava leaves protects the teeth from bacterial infections. It further helps resist bad breath and maintains proper hygiene.
Remedy: Chew 1-2 leaves every day to protect your teeth from dental plaque. It is useful in cases of bleeding gums, swollen gums, toothaches and oral ulcers. Guava leaves paste is often used to maintain proper oral hygiene. You can also make a homemade mouthwash by boiling a handful of guava leaves. Use the mouthwash with a pinch of salt to enjoy its health benefits.
11. Cures Diarrhoea
One of the foremost health benefits of guava leaves is in the treatment of diarrhoea. Its antibacterial property is responsible for curing diarrhoea. Staphylococcus Aureus, the bacteria responsible for diarrhoea, is inhibited by compounds present in guava leaves.
Remedy: Take 2-3 cups of guava leaves tea every day in order to cure diarrhoea. This provides relief from abdominal pain, loss of water due to urination and loose motion. Prepare guava leaves tea by Sun drying young guava leaves and crushing them into powdery dust. Brew 1 teaspoon to get 1-2 cups of tea.
12. Reduces Arthritic Pain and Swelling
Guava leaves can be used as a cure for arthritis. The quercetin of guava leaves reduces arthritic pain, swelling and infection. Arthritis is associated with inflammation and swelling in the bone joints which makes it difficult to walk. Guava leaves come handy in curing them.
Remedy: Apply guava leaves paste twice a day to get the maximal effect. It will cure swelling and provide pain relief. Hence, you are fit to walk and perform your daily activities. This is the least known health benefits of guava leaves.
13. Prevents Stomach and Liver From Tissue Damage
Guava leaves have a healing effect. The high methanol content of guava leaves aids in this property. Flavonoids, Tannins and Saponins help in this process. This healing nature is particularly helpful in treating ulcers. It cures scarring, tissue damage and inflammation associated with the gastric ulcer. Take 2-3 cups of guava leaves tea daily to avail maximum health benefits of guava leaves.
Another potential organ protection ability of guava leaves is in the prevention of liver tissue damage. Guava leaves detoxify the liver and protect it from the action of various tissue-damaging enzymes like Alanine Aminotransferase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase etc. Daily intake of guava leaves tea protects the liver from damage.
In this way, it protects these two vital organs of our body and prevents tissue damage in both of them.
14. Prevents Cancer
Guava leaves have high cancer prevention ability. It is the best-known health benefit of guava leaves. The anti-cancer effect of these leaves is due to a range of biomolecules. This includes quercetin, Vitamin C and lycopene.
A 2011 study showed that this anti-cancer effect is due to apoptosis or cell death of the cancer cells. More and more cells are driven towards apoptosis. Cancer cells are immortal and characterised by uncontrolled cell division. Hence, they increase in number in a short span of time and form tumours. By promoting cell death we are naturally terminating their life span leading to the reduction of the disease.
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A 2010 study showed guava leaves extract decreases the size of prostate tumours. Regular intake of guava leaves extract prevents a range of cancer like stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer. Daily intake 2-3 cups of guava leaves tea is ideal to avail this health benefit.
15. Cures Cholera and Dengue
The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory property present in guava leaves is responsible for treating cholera and dengue. Guava leaves extract act as a natural cure for these two infectious diseases. Cholera is caused by the bacteria Vibrio Cholerae which is spread through contaminated water. Dengue, on the other hand, is caused by a virus spread through the biting of mosquitoes.
The cholera curing ability is due to the presence of tannins and flavonoids which also prevent diarrhoea. Diarrhoea and gastroenteritis are the major symptoms of cholera. Both of these are abolished by the intake of guava leaves extract. Water loss, nausea, abdominal cramps, stomach pain, watery stool formation, all of these symptoms stop with the daily intake of guava leaves extract. Guava leaves extract inhibits the growth of the cholera bacteria, thus making it difficult to survive.
Dengue which is generally associated with high fever and low platelet count can be easily cured with Guava leaves extract. It increases the platelet count drastically making it a potential alternative remedy of dengue. It also prevents haemorrhage during dengue.
Hence, it has the potential to cure the major infectious disease. This health benefit of guava leaves is important as it provides a direct link to its disease curing ability.
From the above sections, it is pretty much clear what a large extent of medicinal value guava leaves have and the health benefits of guava leaves are plenty. So, what are you waiting for? Include this in your diet and relish the wonders of these. Start by taking 2-3 cups of guava leaves tea daily and wait for the magic!!! This is your chance to lead a healthy life in just a few cups of tea!!!. Let your friends boast of lemon tea while you glow in the glory of GUAVA LEAVES TEA 🙂