Guava - The Health Benefits Of Guava. Application, Cultivation And Recipes Of Guava

Guava

Useful properties and recipes for guava

Botanical characteristics of guava

Guava is a small tree or shrub, the height of which is no more than 4.5 meters. Almost all climatic conditions are suitable for this tree. The leaves are 15 cm long and oval in shape. Single flowers of the plant are collected in groups in the leaf axils. White large flowers have many white-green stamens. The guava fruit is round, pear-like or oval, with a pleasant musky aroma. The inside of the fruit is yellow, red or pink flesh with many hard seeds (100-500 seeds).

Guava bark and unripe fruits have the highest biological value. Guava can grow in dry and humid climates. A young tree is very sensitive to frost. For guava, heavy clay, sand, gravel, and even limestone are suitable. The plant responds well to soil drainage. Given the fact that guava has a superficial root system, the tree needs to be watered in a timely manner.

Guava can bloom for a whole year. There are tree species that need cross-pollination. Many varieties of guava are self-pollinated. You can take a brush and gently transfer pollen from one flower to another, thereby increasing the number of useful ovaries. Guava fruits ripen 3-5 months after the flowering period. The fruits of the plant contain a large amount of vitamin C, therefore they are recommended for colds and flu.

Most often, guava is propagated by seeds, which germinate in 14–20 days. Guava propagates using cuttings, but for rooting it is necessary to create a high temperature and relative humidity.

How is guava good for you?

Guava has antimicrobial, bactericidal, astringent and antispasmodic effects. Guava contains a lot of fiber, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, proteins and fats.

Guava is a fruit that contains more vitamin C than an orange. For this reason, it is recommended to be taken by people who want to strengthen the lymphatic system and raise the tone of the body.

Nutritionists say guava should be part of the meals that nursing mothers and babies eat because it strengthens the immune system and is a rejuvenating agent.

Guava fruits are taken for diarrhea, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, sore throat. Fresh leaves have wound healing properties, so they are used for skin diseases, boils and even toothache.

Guava leaves can be used to make a tea that will help with indigestion, dizziness, menstrual irregularities and dysentery.

Guava is widely used in folk medicine, using the leaves, bark and flowers of the plant. A decoction made from the leaves is used as an excellent cough remedy, for rinsing the mouth, throat, and for ulcers as pain relief. Guava decoction is used for skin diseases or as an antipyretic agent. If you make a combined decoction of bark with leaves, you get a means that separates the placenta after childbirth.

Diseases and pests of guava

Guava trees can be damaged by the flat citrus mite, mites, aphids and caterpillars. Guava leaves are very fond of the May beetle. Aphids suck the juice from the leaves. If a fungus appears in the tree and it multiplies, it will lead to the death of the tree. As soon as pests are noticed on the tree, you must immediately take all measures to destroy them. For example, phytoncides, mulching and a simple solution of copper give a very good effect.

Contraindications to the use of guava

There are no contraindications to the use of guava, but you need to know that it contains many hard seeds, which can cause throat irritation.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).