What is Guava?
Part of the Myrtle family, guava is a tropical fruit originating from Mexico, the Caribbean and the northern regions of Southern America. The most commonly consumed species are the apple guavas, which grow on the Psidium Guajava tree.
This fruit varies in type, from: Lemon, Strawberry, Tropical White, Mexican Cream, Red Malaysian and one of the rarest ones to find, the Detwiler Guava.
The external colour of the fruit differs depending on the concentration of carotenoids present. Carotenoids are plant pigments and guavas contain lycopene which is a carotenoid giving the fruit its red colour. This naturally occurring red pigment can be found in papaya, pink grapefruit, red carrots, tomatoes and watermelons. However, this red pigment is not found in strawberries and cherries.
Guavas are rich in Vitamin C but not in Vitamin A as lycopene does not convert into Vitamin A unlike most carotenoids. As an antioxidant Vitamin C helps to protect cells from free radicals caused by UV exposure.
How can I use Guava leaves for my Skin care?
You will need
1)Guava Leaves DIY
- Handful of Guava Leaves
- 1tsp Turmeric
- 1 TBSP Olive oil
- 2 tsp honey
Before you place the face mask on, you can check out how to steam your face to open up your pores here…
Rinse and soak the leaves overnight to make them easier to blend the next day. Sometimes it’s easier to see things visually right? Here is a YouTube video to help you out...
Once blended add in the rest of the ingredients and apply all over your face, letting it sit there for 3-5 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.
2)Guava fruit DIY
- Juice of 1 Guava
- Juice of half a (small) lemon
- 1 TBSP honey
The honey will make the consistency thicker and easier to apply. Once everything is mixed together apply all over your face until the honey dries up a little and then rinse off with luke warm water. This face mask smells so sweet you might be tempted taste 😉
How can I use Guava fro my Hair care?
1)Guava Leaves
Why not use the leaves to make tea in the process? Firstly, boil some water in your kettle and when that is done soak 3-4 Guava leaves, stirring as you would to make tea.
- 1 avocado (ripe) [optional]
- The water from the Guava tea
- 1 TBSP Olive Oil
The Avocado can be left out and you can use the mixture as a detangling spray.However, if you choose to use the avocado…
Mash the avocado up, this is just to have a thicker consistency for the hair mask. Mix all the ingredients together and leave on your hair for 25-30 before rinsing off.
2)Guava Fruit
- 1 Guava
- 1 TBSP honey
- 5 TSBP Olive Oil
The seeds of this fruits are edible! So take them out and save them for later or eat them right away, let’s just use the fruit.
Blend all these ingredients together before applying on your hair and scalp for 25-30 minutes before rinsing off.
