English/ Common name- Guava
Local name- ಪೇರಲ ಮರ
Botanical name- Psidium guajava
Appearance- It is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a slender trunk with smooth green to red-brown bark. The trunk may be branched at the base and the branches droop low to the ground. The plant possesses oval or elliptical leaves which are smooth on the upper surface and hairy on the lower surface. It produces solitary white flowers and berry fruit. The fruit is oval in shape and green to yellow in color. The flesh inside can be white, yellow, pink, or red in color and contains numerous yellowish seeds. It can reach up to 10m in height and lives for approximately 40 years.
Origin- Guava is believed to have originated from an area extending from southern Mexico into or through Central America. The Spaniards and Portuguese are considered to be responsible for the distribution of guava fruit to other parts of the world.
Conditions required for growth- Guava is mainly grown in the tropics and will tolerate temperatures between 15 and 45C. Guava will grow optimally between 23 and 28 C but established trees can tolerate a short period of intense cold -3 to -2C.Guava is also amenable to a wide range of soils and will grow both in sandy or rocky solids in addition to loams, preferring a pH of 4.5-7 but tolerating alkaline to pH 8.5
Uses- Guava fruits may be eaten fresh or processed to produce paste jellies or preserves. Dehydrated fruit is used to make guava powder. Various parts of the plant, including the leaf and the fruit, are used as medicine. People use guava leaf for stomach and intestinal conditions, pain, diabetes, and wound healing. The fruit is used for high blood pressure. Guava is a traditional remedy for a number of ailments. Preliminary research suggests that compounds in guava leaf extract may have a positive effect on a range of illnesses and symptoms, including menstrual cramps, diarrhea, the flu, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
Common remedies-
● To reduce hair loss (Part of the tree used - Leaves) : wash a handful of guava leaves with plain water, boil them in 400ml water for 20 minutes. Let it cool and then strain. Apply before going to bed on the hair roots to the ends, massage, and wash it in the morning. You can store the rest for further use.
