Guava is one of my favourite fruits and the red skinned fragrant guavas of Allahabad are the best. There are so many varieties of guavas in India that every city can surprise you with a new variety or a different flavour bouquet of the same variety.
Every second Indian household would remember a guava tree in the vicinity or in the backyard and almost every stage of the fruit is used to make something or the other, the fruit at its prime is the most delicious.
Guava has always been touted as the fruit for good skin, because it keeps the digestive system clean and toned. But there is much more we need to know about guavas.
I have mentioned in the past how cooked guava helps relieve chronic cough and throat and chest congestion. This guava soup can be a great relief from chest congestion.
I have had the experience of using guava leaf infusion to treat toothache. The leaf infusion works wonderfully as a mouthwash too. I remember my grandmother used to say that guava datoon (natural toothbrush made with freshly plucked twigs) is better than Neem datoon when you have toothache. No wonder I see some studies suggesting antibacterial activity of Guava leaf extract.
If you boil 2-3 leaves of guava in a cup of water and pinch of salt, it can be used as a mouthwash to treat toothache and any inflammation of the gum. We need home remedies like this as the commercial mouth wash will have some unnecessary perfume, some colour and even some for of sugar as well.
And if you roast a fully ripe guava over embers or gas flame and eat the pulp with a sprinkle of black salt and pepper powder, it can relieve chronic congestion that remains even after a course of antibiotics sometimes.
Here are more ways of using guava fruits and leaves to treat common ailments.
This roasted guava relish is made after roasting the ripe guava on open flame, then chopping it. It is then mixed with pink salt, pepper powder, ginger powder, chilli powder and a hint of sugar. It tastes great as it is for a snack or served with some crackers or fritters.
13. The tender guava leaves can be chewed on and can be swallowed too. It helps making the gums healthier, kills any minor infections of the mouth and is a potent anti cancer agent as well. Try this if you smoke a lot, it helps minimize the urge to smoke.
I love guava and enjoying it ever since I am here! I make few dishes out of it, usage of leaves are new to me and very interesting thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks Jayasri :-)
DeleteWhat a wealth of information. And the simple but perfect recipes. Thank you for writing this,Sangeeta.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kaveri. Love your feedback as always :-)
DeleteGuava leaves are also traditionally used for brushing teeth.
ReplyDeleteYes guava leaves are great as a teeth cleanser. The tender twigs of Guava are also used as a datoon, an old way of making the twigs into toothbrushes.
DeleteThanks Nisha.
I like it raw - off the tree - my faorite fruit. Sometimes I like it with char masala or salt & red chillies - but it is great as it is on the tree.
ReplyDeleteGuava just plucked from a tree is a luxury :-) I have spent time sitting on guava branches in childhood and can understand what you mean. Thanks anuradha.
DeleteVery nice article. How good is it to consume dried guava in the form of fruit leather?
ReplyDelete