The healing power of rainforest herbs by Taylor Leslie

Author:Taylor, Leslie.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Rain forest plants -- Therapeutic use., Herbs -- Therapeutic use.
Publisher: Square One Publishers
Published: 2005-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

Medicinal Plants of the Amazon

31 I

In a 2003 study with guinea pigs, Brazilian researchers reported that guava leaf extracts have numerous effects on the cardiovascular system which might be beneficial in treating irregular heat beat (arrhythmia)^ Previous research indicated guava leaf provided antioxidant effects beneficial to the heart, heart protective properties, and improved myocardial function.^^ In two randomized human studies, the consumption of guava fruit for twelve weeks was shown to reduce blood pressure by an average eight points, decrease total cholesterol levels by 9 percent, decrease triglycerides by almost 8 percent, and increase ''good" HDL cholesterol by 8 percent.2^'28 The effects were attributed to the high potassium and soluble fiber content of the fruit (however, 1-2 lbs. of fruit was consumed daily by the study subjects to obtain these results!). In other animal studies, guava leaf extracts have evidenced analgesic, sedative, and central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity,^^'^® as well as cough suppressant actions.The fruit or fruit juice has been documented to lower blood sugar levels in normal and diabetic animals and humans.Most of these studies confirm the plant's many uses in tropical herbal medicine systems.

CURRENT Guava, known as the poor man's apple of the tropics, has a long history of tra-PRACTICAL USES ditional use, much of which is being validated by scientific research. It is a wonderful natural remedy for diarrhea—safe enough even for young children. For infants and children under the age of 2, just a cup daily of guava fruit juice is helpful for diarrhea. For older children and adults, a cup once or twice daily of a leaf decoction is the tropical herbal medicine standard. Though not widely available in the U.S. market, tea-cut and powdered leaves can be obtained from larger health food stores or suppliers of bulk botanicals. Newer to the market are guava leaf extracts that are used in various herbal formulas for a myriad of purposes; from herbal antibiotic and diarrhea formulas to bowel health and weight loss formulas. Toxicity studies with rats and mice, as well as controlled human studies, show both the leaf and fruit to be safe and without side effects.

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