The efficacy and function of guava root

Traditional Chinese medicine is very effective in treating some special diseases, but we still need to learn about it before taking it. Today we will talk about some common knowledge about guava root.

【Alias】 Nabagen

[Source] Medicinal material source: the root or root bark of guava, a plant of the Myrtaceae family.

[Original form] Deciduous tree, 5-10m high. The bark is light yellow-brown, the young branches are square, with short white hairs, which fall off when old; the buds are densely covered with short white hairs. Simple leaves are alternate, rarely whorled, oblong-elliptical to ovate, 5-12cm long, 3-5cm wide, fragrant when rubbed, leathery, with rounded or short-pointed apex, obtuse to rounded base, entire margin, dark green above, with slightly concave or flat veins, sparsely covered with short hairs when young, light green below, sparsely covered with small glands, densely covered with short soft hairs, main vein raised, 7-11 pairs of lateral veins, also raised, obliquely extending and curved near the leaf margin; petiole 4mm long. The flowers are bisexual, 1-4 in axillary; the sepals are 5, green, oval; the petals are white, oval, 2-2.5cm long; the stamens are numerous, the same length as the petals, the filaments are white, the anthers are light yellow, and longitudinally fissured; there is 1 pistil, the style is longer than the filaments, the stigma is round, the ovary is inferior, 3-chambered, and there are many ovules. The berries are spherical, oval or pear-shaped, 2.5-8cm long and 3-5cm in diameter. The flesh is usually yellow, but can also be white or carmine red. The seeds are oval and pale white. Flowering period is from May to August. Fruiting period is from August to November.

【Chemical composition】The root contains arjunolic acid[1].

[Pharmacological action] Anti-fertility effect: Guava root decoction has obvious effects on anti-fertility, anti-implantation, anti-early pregnancy and mid-term induction of labor in mice; intraperitoneal injection is the best route of administration, followed by subcutaneous administration, and oral administration is almost ineffective; it has the effect of enhancing the contraction of the in vitro and in vivo uterus of mice, especially the pregnant uterus is more sensitive; when used in combination with prostaglandin E2, it has obvious synergistic effects on anti-early pregnancy and excitation of the in vitro uterus in mice; its mechanism of action may be to damage the placental trophoblast cells, causing degeneration and necrosis, or it may be to interfere with the secretion of progesterone. The anti-fertility active ingredients of guava root may be tannins, especially guava ellagic acid glucose.

[Toxicity] Guava decoction caused scabs and tissue necrosis at the subcutaneous injection site in mice. Intraperitoneal injection had a stimulating effect. Larger doses were harmful to the liver. The median lethal dose of guava decoction injected intraperitoneally in mice was 2.84 g (raw drug)/kg.

【Nature and flavor】 Astringent; slightly bitter; neutral

【Functions and indications】Astringent and antidiarrheal; analgesic and sore-healing. Mainly used for diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal prolapse, toothache, diabetes, sores, and snake bites

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 6-15g; or mash into juice. For external use: take appropriate amount, decoct in water for washing; or mash and apply on the affected area.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is a detailed introduction to the Chinese medicinal guava root. We can eat it according to our own needs. I believe there will be improvements after a period of time. It is indeed a good choice.