One of the things about growing up with a Filipino/American upbringing is having the best (and worst) of both worlds.
My grandfather always had these things he did to heal people and it would often remind me of that scene at the end of “The Karate Kid” where Mr. Miyagi helped Daniel by clapping his hands, rubbing his hands together and helped heal him a bit.
Those tips from my mom’s side of the family were passed down to her and she would often tell me of the benefits of guava leaves.
It’s one thing to know the benefit of the actual fruit but the leaves?
It appears that guava leaves actually have a lot of health benefits and the more I looked into it, I learned that guava leaves were also used as part of traditional medicine for centuries in Mexico and parts of South America.
The leaves have antioxidants live vitamin C and flavonoids such as quercetin.
Benefits of guava leaves are:
- Diarrhea – The extracts inhibit the growth of the bacteria which causes diarrhea and helps lessen abdominal pain.
- Regulates Blood Sugar Levels – It was reported that it inhibits several different enzymes that convert carbohydrates in the digestive tract to glucose.
- Promotes Weight Loss – It supposedly helps prevent complex carbs from turning into sugar.
- Helps Lower the Risks of Cancer – Due to the high quantities of the antioxidant lycopene, it can help lower the risk of cancer
- Helps the Skin – It can be used as an astringent and also help ward off acne
- Helps lower Mucus – It helps disinfect the respiratory tract, throat and lungs.
- Lowers Cholesterol – Studies show it helped lower cholesterol levels.
- Used for Hair Loss – People believe that guava leaves boiled and massaged into the scalp can promote hair growth.
While I’m not a scientist and I can’t substantiate these reports or claims, I do know my family believes in guava leaves for abdominal pain and diarrhea.
And it happens my mother has a guava tree which she gets her guava and leaves.
I took the leaves and washed them. I then put it in a pot with water and boiled it.
About 10-12 minutes, when it starts boiling, you can see the water go from clear to a little yellowish brown and then it’s done. I got the water guava leaf water, put it in my mug or canister and added a little honey for taste and you literally have guava leaf tea.
I was surprised to taste it and find out, it’s like tea leaves and adding the honey, it really tastes good.
So, if you know someone with a guava plant, definitely ask if you can have some of the leaves to make guava leaf tea!
