(Psidium guajava)
PLANT FAMILY: Myrtaceae

DESCRIPTION: Guava is a tree which grows up to10 meters tall, has a slender stem, smooth with variously colored light and dark brown bark. The leaves are 8-14 cm long by 3-6 cm wide, somewhat leathery. The flowers are at the ends of the branches, with white petals, numerous stamens! The white rounded fruits grows up to 2-6 cm long that are either yellow or pink when ripe.

HABITAT: You can often find guava trees at the edges of forests, old fields and roadsides.

TRADITIONAL USES: An infusion made by steeping 1 cup of green guava leaves in3 cups of boiling water for 20 minutes is used as a gargle 2 times daily for mouth sores and bleeding from the gums, or as a douche for leucorrhea and relaxed walls of the vagina after childbirth, Chewing on tender leaves is an old remedy for bleeding gums and bad breath and is said to allay hangovers if chewed before drinking. As a remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, upset stomach, and colds 9 leaves and 9 young fruits are boiled in 3 cups of water for 10 minutes;1 cup of the warm decoction is drunk before meals 3 times daily. Mashed or pounded flowers are applied as poultice to painful conditions of the eye due to sun strain, conjunctivitis, or accident. A tea made from guava bark, which is rich astringent tannins is used as a remedy for diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, dysentery, sore throat and as a wash for wounds and ulcers of the skin a strip of bark 2.5 cm wide * 5 cm long is boiled in 3 cups of water for 10 minutes;1 cup is taken before meals. Skin sores are bathed with water in which young leaves and flowers have been boiled. Leaves and flowers that have been toasted to a powder are sprinkled on sores after bathing.