10 Benefits Of Guava Leaves
Lately people have been asking a lot about the benefits of guava leaves. Guava leaves are just as medicinally useful as the nutritional powerhouse fruit they grow with. The leaves of the guava tree are full of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, antibacterials, and even tannins that can have significant health benefits, from treating stomach troubles to chronic diseases like cancer.
Just like the popular tropical fruit can be made into beverages, jams, and other foods, its leaves can too. They can be brewed to make a tea, for example, which releases beneficial substances like vitamin C and flavonoids like quercetin. Scientific studies have documented the healthful qualities of the superfruit’s leaves, and you can see what they’ve found for a variety of conditions below:
1. Beneficial for Diabetics:
According to research conducted by the Yakult Central Institute in Japan, guava leaf tea can effectively lower blood glucose in diabetics by reducing the alpha-glucosidease enzyme activity. Moreover, it prevents the absorption of sucrose and maltose by the body, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. Drinking guava leaf tea for 12 weeks lowers the blood sugar levels without increasing insulin production.
2. Aid in Weight Loss:
Guava leaves aid in weight loss by preventing the complex starches from being converted into sugars. For this purpose, the carbs must be broken down in the liver for use by the body and guava leaves prevent the transition of carbohydrates to usable compounds.
3. Treatment of Diarrhea and Dysentery:
4. Treatment of Toothaches, Sore Throats and Gum Disease:
Due to their anti-inflammatory qualities, fresh guava leaves can relieve tooth ache, heal gum and mouth sores and treat sore throats when used for gargling. The antibacterial agent in these leaves protect the teeth and gums and therefore, guava leaves are used as an ingredient in toothpastes and mouth fresheners. Guava leaves can even be made into a natural paste at home for brushing the teeth and gums.
5. Reduction of Allergies:
Guava leaves prevent the release of histamine. Moreover, the compounds found in guava leaves are effective in blocking all allergic reactions.6
6. Treatment of Wounds and Infections
Guava leaves have great healing properties that can treat wounds such as cuts, impact abrasion etc. The antibacterial agents prevent infection and reduce inflammation of the uterus to accelerate the healing of wounds. Guava leaf tea can help in curing ear infections as well.
7. Treatment of Acne and Black spots:
Acne and black spots are quite annoying as they adversely affect the appearance of your skin. Guava leaves are effective in eliminating acne and black spots from the skin. They contain an antiseptic that can kill acne causing bacteria. For this purpose, mash some guava leaves and apply it on the acne and dark spots. Rinse with water after sometime. This should be done daily until the skin is clear.
8. Anti-ageing Benefits:
Guava leaves contain antioxidants which destroy the free radicals that damage your skin, thus protecting your skin from ageing as well as improving skin tone and texture. A decoction of mature guava leaves can be applied on the skin for tightening it.
9. Natural Remedy for Hair Loss:
To stop hair loss, boil a handful of guava leaves in a liter of water for around 20 minutes. After cooling, apply it on your scalp and massage rigorously.
10. Removal of Blackheads:
For the treatment of blackheads, blend the guava leaves with little water and use it as a scrub on your nose to remove blackheads.
