click here for enlarged picture |
| Description: |
Shallow-rooted shrub or small
tree, up to 10 m tall, branching from the base and often producing suckers. Bark, smooth,
green to red brown, peeling off in thin flakes. Leaves opposite and with glands. Flowers
solitary or in 2-3 flowered cymes. Fruit a berry, globose. Seeds usually numerous,
embedded in pulp, yellowish, 3 - 5 mm long. |
| Ecological distribution: |
In parks and gardens. Indigenous
to American tropics, originated between Mexico and Peru, to the Philippines and introduced
from West to India. |
| Parts used: |
Leaves, fruits. |
| Traditional uses: |
for diarrhea; Leaf decoction: for washing wounds, skin infections, feminine
hygiene; mouthwash.
Chopped leaves: to stop bleeding (shallow cuts).
Fruits: excellent source of Vitamin C; for making jams and
jellies. |
| Special precautions: |
Eating too much guava fruit may
cause constipation. |
| Product available: |
guava powder; herbal tea. |
| Further information in: |
de Padua,L.S., N.
Bunyapraphatsara, R.H.M.J. Lemmens (Editors). 1999. Plant Resources of South East Asia
12(1) Medicinal and Poisonous Plants. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.771
pp. |
| Or contact: |
RED Foundation Inc., Los Baņos,
Laguna 4031 Philippines Tel no. (63) (049) 536 0205. |
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