Guava (bayabas in our dialect) seems to be a left-out fruit among the young people lately. Why? They love to eat all the processed junk foods in the market that eventually caused them juvenile diabetes and kidney trouble.
Now, children in the neighborhood wouldn’t even ask for a fruit. Maybe, many people, especially some kids who frequently eat guavas and even “Indian” mangoes have no idea how nutritious these fruits are. I see these two fruits just wasted in the neighborhood.
But I tell you, guava is one of the best fruits I know. It is scientifically known as Psidium guajava Linn. It comes in different varieties but the most popular in the market now is the guava-apple. I love to eat the guapple pie of El Ideal in Silay City. I brought my friend, Elizabeth Navia, there one time and she bought the whole plate after eating a slice.
I cannot forget though the native guavas. In my elementary years, I was bartering guavas with my classmates for some pad paper because we all liked the native guava. I have more guavas, they did not have one.
Of course, it came from our backyard. We had several varieties of guava before. But this time, my neighbor, Inday Estrella, always gives me every fruiting time because nobody eats so much in their home.
This native variety is the one being used for jelly and jam because of the presence of pectin in great amount. The native variety is what the herbalists want for medicine also. But they have a requirement where it must be planted— 3 kilometers away from pollutants or road network used by transportation facilities with all the exhaust. Then it must be organically or naturally grown. So if you have the typical area for it you have a big money coming by being a supplier to the manufacturers/ processors of this fruit.
Actually guava is not only useful as a fruit—all parts do for that matter. Did you know that the leaves are one of the best herbal antiseptics (disinfectants)? It is excellent for treating swollen gums (singaw), and excellent for use as a vaginal rinse. Yes! It was recommended by my doctor after giving birth to my first born.
Talking of the nutritional value of guava, it is rich in vitamin C, and A, fiber and minerals, among others.
But I am focusing here now on how it is propagated and cultivated—for those who may want to be partners with herbal medicine processors and make money from guava.
*Guava prefers a rather dry climate. The tree thrives well in different soil from open to fairly compact clay. The soil should be well drained. The tree is best planted during rainy season.
The trees are spaced 6x6 meters apart. After planting, the trees are mulched with weeds or other loose materials.
*Guava orchard should always be shallow. Disks should not be cut more than 3 to 4 inches deep in order to plant cover crops to prevent weed growth during growth period of the trees and need all the available soil moisture.
*In areas with a long dry season, the orchards should be irrigated every 10 days.
*Use natural (organic) insecticides in order to reduce the ingestion (eating and swallowing) of toxic residues in plants which is dangerous to individual’s health.
*Guavas are usually harvestable in summer, but some may mature anytime of the year. Harvest when fully ripe or firm ripe.
*The fruit is not adapted to cold storage, but juice (and fruit chunks) may be prepared during the harvest season and preserved for later use.
This is just one of the crops that are now making waves for herbal medicine. I hope, like me, you benefit from this humble crop, too!