Guava Leaves Tea During Pregnancy- Is It Safe?

Most of us know that Guava fruit is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Many of us are aware of the health benefits of this fruit. But how many of us know the tea, made from leaves of this plant are as much as beneficial as the fruit?. But now you are pregnant, are you wondering whether guava leaves tea during pregnancy is safe?

Fresh guava leaves are well known for their antioxidants, antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties. They are also considered a natural pain reliever. Many chemicals found in guava is very effective in treating different diseases. But when it comes to pregnancy, many a time medicinal value and safety may not come hand in hand.

Guava leaves

The tender leaves of the guava plant are the main ingredient in many traditional medicines and thus, offer many health benefits. When it comes to medicinal value, guava leaves benefits more than the fruit in many aspects. The antioxidant properties of guava leaves can be more or less the same as those of dried guava fruits.

The allopathic medicines and drugs more often come with many serious side effects. Therefore, more and more people are relying on grandma’s remedies for treating various health issues.  Herbal plants are the base of many traditional treatments.

Related Reading: 15 Fruits Not To Eat During Pregnancy

When it comes to herbal remedies, no one can neglect guava leaves. Nowadays, for those who have no access to a guava tree, guava leaves are available as dried leaves & teabags. Studies show many compounds in Guava leaves act as fungistatic and bacteriostatic agents.

What is guava leaves tea?

Who doesn’t love to start their day with a natural drink that is loaded with antibacterial agents, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents? Guava leaf tea is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, phytochemicals, essential oils, vitamins, and fatty acids.

Many people, especially from Asian countries, used to start their day with guava leaf tea as many of them are aware of its amazing health benefits. Drinking a cup of guava leaf tea daily helps to prevent common colds and the flu.

Drinking guava leaves tea helps in bringing down cholesterol levels. It also helps in getting rid of infections such as cold and flu. Guava leaves tea also helps to treat diarrhea and regulate blood sugar levels. It even shows anti-cancer properties.

Herbalists make use of guava leaves tea to treat many common ailments and also to prevent hair loss. Guava leaf tea and menstruation have a unique connection.

Guava Leaf Tea Helps To Relieve Menstruation Pain

Menstrual cramps are a common issue. Many women suffer from intense abdominal pain during their periods. Guava leaf is a natural remedy for painful periods.

Studies show guava leaf extract can reduce the intensity of period pain. Guava leave extract, if taken 6 mg per day, evidently helps to reduce the intensity of menstrual pain. It is found that guava leaves are more effective than many painkillers. Also, pain killers come with health risks, but guava leave extract poses no health hazards.

Guava Leaves Tea During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?

Drinking guava leaves tea during pregnancy is considered generally safe. No harmful side effect is scientifically proven yet. At the same time, no studies proved that guava leaves tea during pregnancy is 100% safe.

Very rarely, allergic reactions are also found. But if you are used to having this tea before pregnancy, you can rule out this possibility. Just like everything else, when it comes to guava leaves during pregnancy, moderation is the key.

Related Reading: What Teas Are Safe To Drink While Pregnant?

Just like all teas, a major part of a cup of guava leaf tea is water. The concentrated form of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, essential oil and other compounds in the leaves will be in a diluted form in the tea.  Therefore, it is usually safe to have guava leaves during pregnancy if taken in limited quantities.

Are There Any Benefits Of Guava Leaves Tea During Pregnancy

Drinking guava leaves tea has many health benefits. Here are some benefits of guava leaves tea that is favorable for pregnancy:

1. Helps to maintain blood sugar level

Guava leaves teas are very beneficial for diabetic patients.  Regular intake of this tea aids in prevention and control in hiking of blood sugar level. Several clinical trials show that guava leaves tea has anti-diabetic properties.

Intake of guava leaves tea after meals help to regulate the blood sugar level.  It is effective even in people having type-two diabetes. Some compounds in this leaves hamper the absorption of two types of sugars (maltose, and sucrose). This helps to prevent the increase of blood sugar levels after food.

This property of the guava leaves tea will be beneficial for an expecting mother with gestational diabetes.

2. Lowers the risk of cancer

Guava leaf has anti-cancer property. When it comes to this property, not only the leaves but all parts of the whole plant can potentially fight human cancer cells. The leaves are quite high in two compounds, plant pigments that are powerful antioxidants – lycopene, and quercetin.

According to studies, lycopene and quercetin have strong anti-cancer properties.  Its regular consumption helps to reduce the potential risk of cancer to a large extend. Guava leaves tea, thus, reduce the risk of cancer, especially, breast and oral cancer.

3. Anti-viral and  anti-bacterial effect

According to NCBI, guava leaf-extract is a natural antimicrobial agent with strong anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral activities. It also has a significant amount of Vitamin C and iron. Guava leaves tea is highly beneficial in relieving cough and cold.

Traditionally, guava leaves tea is used as a home remedy for mild infections like common cold and cough, as it can effectively get rid of mucus from the respiratory tract, throat, and lungs. As pregnant women are more prone to these infections, drinking guava leaves tea is beneficial during pregnancy.

Related Reading: 11 Home Remedies For Acid Reflux During Pregnancy

4. Enhances cardiovascular health

According to various studies, guava leaves tea can enhance cardiovascular health. The tea helps to bring down the level of LDL, the bad cholesterol.  It also lowers the level of triglycerides. All this is achieved without affecting the level of good cholesterol. This improves the balance of good cholesterol.

 Many components in guava leaves contribute to lowering the blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, this tea is excellent for regulating blood pressure, which is very important during pregnancy.

Guava leaves tea helps to improve blood circulation. This is very important during pregnancy.  Also, the guava leaves enhance the health and activities of the liver.

5. Helps to combat diarrhea

According to studies, guava leaves tea is effective in beating diarrhea. Guava leaves contain compounds that can potentially fight off a wide range of diarrhea-causing bacteria.

To use guava leaves to treat diarrhea, in one glass of boiling water add a hand full of leaves and root water, boil 30 grams of guava leaves with a handful of rice flour. One should drink this solution twice a day to combat diarrhea.

However, drinking normal Guava leaves tea is also beneficial in fighting off diarrhea as it can kill the pathogens that cause loose motion. Drinking guava leaves tea makes the stool harder. It also brings down abdominal pain associated with diarrhea.

6. Helps to reduce joint pain

Guava leaves have a strong anti inflammatory property due to the high level of quercetin present in it. This quality of guava leaves makes it an excellent solution to fight off joint pain associated with pregnancy.

This tea also effectively relieves arthritis pain. To enhance the result, grind few guava leaves into a paste and apply it to the joints that have pain and swelling. This will provide immediate relief from swelling and pain in joints due to arthritis.

7. Aids in digestion

Guava leaf tea stimulates the production of digestive enzymes. It also enhances the intestinal tract by eliminating harmful bacteria. The toxins ejected by these bacteria are the main cause of many digestive issues.

Related Reading: 18 Home Remedies For Constipation During Pregnancy

Guava leaves tea can be used to soothe the intestinal tract in case of food poisoning. It can also soothe nausea and vomiting. It also helps to relieve the stomach pain associated with digestive issues. You can drink guava leave tea two to three times a day to combat digestive issues.

What Are The Side Effects Of Guava Leaves Tea During Pregnancy?

Guava leaf tea is generally considered safe to have during pregnancy. There is no scientific evidence that points to guava leaves cause miscarriage. There is a possibility of allergy, but it is rare. 

However, when you cross the “moderation” limit, guava leaves tea can create some side effects. Here are a few side effects of drinking guava leaves tea:

1. Guava leaves tea cause constipation

Mild constipation is found in some people after drinking guava leaf tea. Even though highly unlikely, if you are prone to constipation, it is better to consult a doctor before adding this tea to your pregnancy diet.

2. Guava leaves tea might interact with the medicines

The tea might also interact with some medications, especially with medicines for diabetes or anti-diarrhea pills. Even though more studies are needed to confirm this, you cannot rule out the possibilities of the tea interacting with the drugs you are using.

Interaction can happen in two ways – either it increases the bioavailability of the drug or, it decreases the bioavailability of drugs. Both are equally dangerous, especially during pregnancy.

How To Prepare Guava Leaf Tea When Pregnant

In case you don’t have access to a guava plant, no need to worry. Readymade guava leaves tea bags, loose and dried guava leaves, etc, are available in many leading online food stores.

Try to buy organic branded ones. You will find the recipe in those packs. If you have access to a guava plant, you can prepare guava leaves tea without any difficulty. The procedure is very simple.

The level of antioxidants in the leaves will be high during spring to summer. Pluck some healthy, unblemished guava leaves. You can start with three to six leaves. Now let us get into the procedure.

• Wash guava leaves thoroughly in running water. Make sure there are no dirt or insect residues.
• Boil one cup of water in a saucepan
• Add the cleaned guava leaves to it.
• Reduce the flame and let it steep for around 10 to 15 minutes.
• Now train the tea to a cup and enjoy  guava leaves tea
• You can enhance the flavor or by adding a dash of lime, honey, or cinnamon.

Conclusion

Whenever you add an herbal tea or supplement to your pregnancy diet, it is always recommended to intimate your doctor first.  Go ahead only with his approval. Also, closely monitor how your body is responding to it.