wood-density:: 650
products
height: up to 10 m
plant/type: tropical evergreen shrub or small tree
properties
root: moderately deep taproot with lateral roots, adaptable to poor soils
stem: woody, branched, with smooth, flaky bark revealing greenish underlayer
leaf: opposite, oblong to elliptic (5–15 cm), leathery, aromatic when crushed
- leaf-length:: 5–15 cm
flower: white, fragrant, 4–5 petals with numerous stamens, solitary or clustered
fruit: round to pear-shaped berry, 5–12 cm, green to yellow skin, white to pink flesh with small hard seeds
bark: thin, exfoliating in patches, light brown to green, medicinal purposes
timber: moderately hard, light brown, used for tools, firewood, and carving
environment:: thrives in warm, humid climates with full sun and well-drained soil, drought-tolerant and highly adaptable
- climate:: tropical to subtropical, tolerates dry and humid zones, fruits well with light seasonal variation
- sun:: 700–1000 W/m²
- no-sun-days:: 10–15 days
- water:: 1000–2000 mm/year
- no-water-days:: 30–60 days
- humidity:: 50–90 %
- fog-resistance:: 10–15 days
- max-temp:: 42 °C
- optimal-temp:: 22–32 °C
- min-temp:: 4 °C
- wind-damage:: cold-dry, salty-coastal
- soil:: light to medium loamy soil with good drainage, tolerates acidic to neutral pH and moderate salinity
- spacing:: 4–6 m between trees depending on variety and management system
lifecycle
- longevity:: 30–40 years
- germination:: seeds germinate in 14–30 days, scarification improves speed and success
- seedling:: fast initial growth, transplant at 20–30 cm height, prefers filtered light
- mature:: flowers and fruits in 2–4 years; multiple fruiting cycles per year in tropical zones
- death:: gradual decline due to fungal disease, water stress, or old age
plant/features: edible fruit, fast growing, attract pollinators, medicinal, wind-tolerant
layer: sub-canopy, canopy (in food forests), shrub-layer (in pruning systems)
products: fresh fruit, fruit juice, fruit vinegar, leaf tea, leaf extract, bark decoction, timber, dye, firewood
| compound | plant part | % amount | description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ascorbic acid | fruit | ~200–300 mg/100g | antioxidant, boost immunity |
| dietary fiber | fruit | ~5–7% | aids digestion, slows sugar absorption |
| pectin | fruit | ~1.2–2% | soluble fiber used in gut health and fruit processing |
| quercetin | leaf | ~0.5–1% | antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar regulation |
| tannins | leaf, bark | ~5–10% | astringent, antibacterial, antifungal |
| flavonoids | leaf, fruit | ~0.3–1% | antioxidant, supports capillary health |
| carotenoids | fruit | ~0.1–0.3% | antioxidant pigments, provitamin a activity |
| essential oils | leaf | trace <0.1% | aromatic, antimicrobial |
| alkaloids | bark, root | ~0.1–0.3% | traditional use in antimicrobial and anti-diarrheal applications |
| triterpenoids | bark, leaf | trace–0.5% | mild anti-inflammatory and liver-supporting actions |
| lignin, cellulose | timber | ~40–60% | structural wood components used for tools and biofuel |
operations
- propagate plants: most commonly grown from seed; improved cultivars propagated by grafting, air-layering, or cuttings
- maintenance: prune annually after fruiting to control height, shape, and encourage flowering; mulch and compost around root zone
- harvest:
- fruit: hand-harvested when yellow or light green and aromatic, fruiting occurs 2–3 times per year in tropical zones
- leaves: collected for tea or extract, young, mature green leaves preferred
- bark: harvested from mature trees for decoction in traditional medicine
- timber: used from old or pruned trees, applied in basic carpentry and firewood
traditional medicine uses of psidium guajava
leaves:
infused or decocted to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and stomach pains
used as a gargle for sore throats, mouth ulcers, and gum infections
applied topically as a wound cleanser or anti-inflammatory poultice
brewed into tea for fever, cough, and flu symptoms
powdered leaves used in traditional diabetes control
bark:
decoction used as an antibacterial wash for skin infections and wounds
traditionally used for menstrual regulation, bleeding, and fever
fruit:
eaten raw or in preparations to boost immunity and digestive health
used in folk remedies to treat constipation, high blood pressure, and scurvy
roots:
root extracts are occasionally used for intestinal worms and chronic diarrhea
traditional medicine recipes
guava leaf tea for diarrhea and digestion
ingredients
- 5–7 fresh guava leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried)
- 2 cups water
instructions
- wash the leaves thoroughly.
- boil the leaves in 2 cups of water for 10–15 minutes.
- strain and let cool slightly.
- drink 1/2 cup, 2–3 times per day.
uses
- traditionally used to treat diarrhea, stomach cramps, and dysentery due to the antimicrobial and astringent properties of tannins and flavonoids in the leaves.
guava leaf rinse for oral health
ingredients
- 4–5 guava leaves
- 1 cup of water
instructions
- boil the leaves in water for 10 minutes.
- let the infusion cool to room temperature.
- use as a mouth rinse twice daily.
uses
- used to treat gum inflammation, mouth ulcers, and bad breath. the antibacterial compounds in guava leaves help reduce oral bacteria and promote gum healing.
guava leaf poultice for wounds and infections
ingredients
- a handful of fresh guava leaves
- mortar and pestle or blender
instructions
- crush or blend the guava leaves into a thick paste.
- apply directly to the wound or infected area.
- cover with clean gauze and leave for 1–2 hours.
- repeat 2–3 times daily.
uses
- used for treating cuts, boils, and skin infections. guava leaves have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that promote healing and prevent infection.
guava fruit decoction for cough and cold
ingredients
- 1 ripe guava (chopped)
- 1 cup of water
- optional: a pinch of salt or ginger
instructions
- boil chopped guava in water for 10 minutes.
- mash and strain.
- drink warm once or twice a day.
uses
- used to soothe sore throat, cough, and mild respiratory infections. guava fruit contains vitamin c and antioxidants that boost immunity and soothe the throat.
guava leaf steam for skin and respiratory health
ingredients:
- 10–12 guava leaves
- 1 liter of boiling water
instructions
- place guava leaves in a bowl.
- pour boiling water over the leaves.
- lean over the bowl, cover head with a towel, and inhale steam for 10–15 minutes.
uses
- helps open pores, cleanses skin, and relieve nasal congestion. used in traditional medicine for acne and sinus relief.