Guava leaves (Psidium guajava)

Common names: Guava

Taxonomic name: Psidium guajava

Family: Myrtaceae

Uses: Food, gum complaints, constipation, wounds, urinary infections

Area of origin: Central America

Warnings: None

Guava (Psidium guajava) is a favourite fruit of many and grow well in gardens around Adelaide. Once established, they are a resilient plant and prolific producer of fruit. There are quite a few species and cultivars of Psidium available in Australia but the greatest joy of some guavas is the heavenly perfume that the ripening fruit spreads throughout the garden.

Guava does double duty in a garden. Not only can you eat the fruit, but the leaves can be used for medicinal purposes.

These leaves are antiseptic and antimicrobial – making a decoction of them great for washing wounds and rinsing the mouth for gum infections, They can be uses too for vaginal and urinary infections and diarrhoea when it’s caused by parasites or infection.

Guava leaves are one of the seven herbs used in the Filipino cure-all tea, Pito -Pito that was a staple drink in the clinic where Jelina and I met.