Guava is a familiar tropical fruit and has become a favorite dessert for many families. However, you probably do not know that guava leaves are also a valuable herb, especially for people who are overweight, have diabetes or cardiovascular disease…

In Oriental medicine, guava leaves have a bitter, waxy taste, warm properties, and the ability to reduce swelling and detoxify. Young guava leaves and buds are traditional folk medicines that have been used to treat many diseases.

1. ‏‏Guava leaf tea promotes weight loss

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‏A common cause of weight gain is because the liver processes sugar, converting it into fat before it enters the bloodstream. The liver is the main organ that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism, thereby controlling energy balance and body weight. Excess fat in the diet is transported to the liver, then converted into triglycerides by the liver and accumulated in the body’s fat tissues.‏

‏Quercetin – a flavonoid found in guava leaves has the ability to reduce the growth of fat cells by preventing complex carbohydrates from being converted into sugar. Therefore, guava leaf tea can reduce the amount of sugar and calories absorbed by the body, supporting the weight loss process. In addition, the latest research has shown that guava leaf extract has the ability to improve insulin resistance in the liver, reducing the risk of fatty liver formation, leading to weight gain.

Guava leaves are a useful herb for people who are overweight, diabetic and have cardiovascular disease.

2. Guava leaf tea is good for cardiovascular health

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‏Guava leaves contain β-sitosterol, triterpenoids, some natural volatile oils and acid-based active ingredients. These natural ingredients can increase the elasticity of blood vessels, help lower blood pressure, remove bad cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) and increase good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol).‏

A study has shown that guava leaf extract can help reduce blood pressure and bad cholesterol – the cause of obesity and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

3. Guava leaf tea supports diabetes treatment

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‏Japan has approved guava leaf tea as one of the supportive therapies for preventing and treating diabetes. Compounds in guava leaves help regulate blood sugar levels after meals by inhibiting the absorption of two types of sugar – sucrose and maltose.‏

‏Guava leaf tea inhibits certain enzymes involved in converting carbohydrates in the digestive tract into glucose, thereby slowing the rate of sugar absorption into the blood.

4. How to make guava leaf tea to retain the most medicinal properties

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‏Guava leaf tea is a quick and effective way to enjoy the useful effects of guava leaves. You can use fresh or dried guava leaves with the dosage depending on the type.‏

‏For dried guava leaves, you need to use 2.5 – 5 grams of dried leaves, steep with about 250 ml of boiling water for about 10 minutes.‏
‏For fresh guava leaves, you need to use 5 – 10 fresh leaves. Wash the fresh leaves before processing. Boil about 500 ml of water on the stove, then add guava leaves, cover tightly and simmer for about 10 – 12 minutes.

Note, guava leaf tea has a slightly astringent and bitter taste. Therefore, you should only drink 1 – 2 cups per day and drink after meals. You should not drink guava leaf tea all day because it can lead to digestive problems. In addition, this tea can be drunk hot or cold.