Common name: Guava Scientific name: Psidium guajava Kingdom: Plantae Order: Myrtales Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Psidium

Species: P.guajava

Description: A shrub or small tree, sometimes growing as high as 30ft, but usually no more than 10-15ft, with wide-spreading branches and square, downy twigs. Guava is a , non-season, tropical and semitropical plant. In Malaysia, it is generally known either as guava or jambu batu. It is believe that guava is originally from America. Trunk

The guava is easy to recognize because of its smooth, thin, copper-colored bark that flakes off, showing the greenish layer beneath; and also because of the attractive, "bony" aspect of its trunk which may in time attain a diameter of 10 in (25 cm). Young twigs are quadrangular and downy. Leaves

The leaves, aromatic when crushed, are evergreen, opposite, short-petioled, oval or oblongelliptic, somewhat irregular in outline; 2 3/4 to 6 in (7-15 cm) long, around 2 in (3-5 cm) wide, leathery, with conspicuous parallel veins, and more or less downy on the underside.

Flower

Faintly fragrant, the white flowers, borne singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils, are 1 in (2.5 cm) wide, with 4 or 5 white petals which are quickly shed, and a prominent tuft of perhaps 250 white stamens tipped with pale-yellow anthers.

Flowers of guava

Fruit and Seed

The fruit, exuding a strong, sweet, musky odor when ripe, may be round, ovoid, or pear-shaped, 2 to 4 in (5-10 cm) long, with 4 or 5 protruding floral remnants (sepals) at the apex; and thin, light-yellow skin, frequently blushed with pink. The central pulp, concolorous or slightly darker in tone, is juicy and normally filled with very hard, yellowish seeds, 1/8 in (3 min) long, though some rare types have soft, chewable seeds. Actual seed counts have ranged from 112 to 535 but some guavas are seedless or nearly so. When immature and until a very short time before ripening, the fruit is green, hard, gummy within and very astringent.

Seed

Fruit

Habitat: Seedling

Guava seeds remain viable for many months. They often germinate in 2 to 3 weeks but may take as long as 8 weeks. Pretreatment with sulfuric acid, or boiling for 5 minutes, or soaking for 2 weeks, will hasten germination. Seedlings are transplanted when 2 to 30 in (5-75 cm) high and set out in the field when 1 or 2 years old. Inasmuch as guava trees cannot be depended upon to come true from seed, vegetative propagation usually is widely practiced. Root cuttings

The tree has been grown from root cuttings. Pieces of any roots except the smallest and the very large, cut into 5 to 10 in (12.5-20 cm) lengths, are placed flat in a prepared bed and covered with 2 to 4 in (5-10 cm) of soil which must be kept moist. Or one can merely cut through roots in the ground 2 to 3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) away from the tree trunk; the cut ends will sprout and can be dug up and transplanted.

Inarching

Pruned branches may serve as propagating material. Cuttings of half-ripened wood, 1/4 to 1/2 in (6-12.5 mm) thick will root with bottom heat or rooting-hormone treatment. Treated softwood cuttings will also root well in intermittent mist. In Trinidad, softwood, treated cuttings have been rooted in 18 days in coconut fiber dust or sand in shaded bins sprayed 2 or 3 times daily to keep humidity above 90%. Over 100,000 plants were produced by this method over a 2-year period. Under tropical conditions (high heat and high humidity), mature wood 3/4 to 1 in (2-2.5 cm) thick and 1 1/2 to 2 ft (45-60 cm) long, stuck into 1-ft (30-cm) high black plastic bags filled with soil, readily roots without chemical treatment. Budding and Grafting

Grafting approximately yields 85 to 95% success. Trials have been made of the shield, patch and Forkert methods of budding. The latter always gives the best results. Vigorous seedlings 1/2 to 1 in (1.25-2.5 cm) thick are used as rootstocks. The bark should slip easily to facilitate insertion of the bud, which is then tightly bound in place with a plastic strip and the rootstock is beheaded, leaving only 6 to 8 leaves above the bud. About a month later, an incision is made halfway through 2 or 3 in (5-7.5 cm) above the bud and the plant is bent over to force the bud to grow. When the bud has put up several inches of growth, the top of the rootstock is cut off immediately above the bud. Sprouting of the bud is expedited in the rainy season. Medicine uses: Nutritional value 36-50 77-86 g 2.8-5.5 g 0.9-1.0 g 0.1-0.5 g 0.43-0.7 g 9.5- 10g 9.1-17 mg 17.8-30 mg 0.3-0.7 mg 200-400 I.U 0.046 mg 0.03-0.04 mg 0.6-1.068 g 40 I.U 35 I.U

Food value per 100g of edible portion* Calories moiture Crude fiber Protein Fat Ash Carbohydrates Calcium Phosphorus Iron Carotene (vitamin A) Thiamine Riboflavin Niacin Vitamin B3 Vitamin G4 *Analyses of whole ripe guavas.

The roots, bark, leaves and immature fruits, because of their astringency, are commonly employed to halt gastroenteritis, diarrhea and dysentery, throughout the tropics. Crushed leaves are applied on wounds, ulcers and rheumatic places, and leaves are chewed to relieve toothache. The leaf decoction is taken as a remedy for coughs, throat and chest ailments, gargled to relieve oral ulcers and inflamed gums; and also taken as an emmenagogue and vermifuge, and treatment for leucorrhea. It has been effective in halting vomiting and diarrhea in cholera patients. It is also applied on skin diseases. A decoction of the new shoots is taken as a febrifuge. The leaf infusion is prescribed in India in cerebral ailments, nephritis and cachexia. An extract is given in epilepsy and chorea and a tincture is rubbed on the spine of children in convulsions. A combined decoction of leaves and bark is given to expel the placenta after childbirth. The leaves, in addition to tannin, possess essential oil containing the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons caryophyllene, -bisabolene, aromadendrene, -selinene, nerolidiol, caryophyllene oxide and sel11-en-4x -ol, also some triterpenoids and -sitosterol. The bark contains tannin, crystals of calcium oxalate, ellagic acid and starch. The young fruits are rich in tannin. Action (various)

Stem, bark and root are astringent. Unripe fruit is indigestible, causes vomiting and feverishness. Bark is astringent, febrifuge, antiseptic. Fruit is laxative, leaves are astringent. Locally, decoction of the leaves is applied with much benefit to the Prolapsus ani of the children. Indians also employ it for sore throats, vomiting, stomach upsets and for vertigo. Antibacterial activity

The extract also showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, and Shigella dysenteria. The leaves are rich in tannin, and have antiseptic properties and also the bark. Four antibacterial compounds were isolated from leaves of guava, two new flavonoid, morin-3-O--Llyxopyranoside and morin-3-O-alpha-L-arabopyranoside, and two known flavoids, guaijavarin and quercetin. Anti- diarrhea

Leaf infusion used for stomach complaints such as constipation and in Adamawa with red potash for dysentery; a decoction can be used to combat diarrhea and dysentery. The leaves of the guava tree in decoction are recommended for gastroenteritis, chronic diarrhea. The young leaves and shoots are used for dysentery and diarrhea. An infusion or decoction made from the leaves and/or bark has been used by many tribes for diarrhoea and dysentry throughout the Amazon. In India, the roots are used for childhood diarrhoea (root bark); diarrhoea (roots

with water), dysentry (roots with water). The bark and leaves are astringent, vulnerary, and when decocted can be used for diarrhoea too. In Malayan traditional medicine it is used to cure stomach ache and the remedy is to drink water boiled with the leaves and shoots. It also helps to stop purging or griping often associated with this condition. Modern proof of the traditional use can found in modern studies. The methanolic extract of guava's leaves showed significant inhibitory activities against the growth of 2 isolates of Salmonella, Shigella spp. and 2 isolates of the enteropathogenic E.coli. This proof that guava has antidiarrhoeal agent. Anti-inflammatory effect

The leaves and essential oil extract from Psidium guajava has also been proven to have antiinflammatory effect. The essential oil, steam distilled from leaves of guava showed significantly reduced oedema formation induced by carrageenan (inflammatory reaction). Besides, it also reduced granuloma formation induced by cotton pellets. Antispasmodic

This plant is among the aromatic antispasmodics; a decoction of the young leaves and shoots is prescribed in the West Indies for febrifuge and antispasmodic baths. In India and Ghana the stem and twigs are considered astringent (bark as well). In the West Indies it is used as a febrifuge, antispasmodic bath (decoction of shoots and young leaves). They are recommended for swollen legs. The young leaves and shoots are used for the leaves of the guava tree in decoction. It has been used for spasms, fevers, worms, diabetes. Conjunctivitis

Flowers are used as a poultice for conjunctivitis. Flowers are mashed and applied to area of painful eye such as sun strain, conjunctivitis or eye injuries. Coughs

Boiled with lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) to make a decoction that is drunk for coughs. Diabetes

The leaves are used for several other ailments including diabetes. For example, leaf infusion are used in the Cape for diabetes. Water in which the fruit is soaked is good for thirst in diabetes. Food uses

The fruit contains high vitamin C. Precisely speaking, 100 grams of the guava fruit encloses around 80 mg of vitamin C. Eating the fruit may well have longer term cardio protective effects as a result of the antioxidant and free radical protection. The fruit is also considered to be an excellent resource of a dietary fiber known as pectin. Malaria

Psidium guajava stem bark extract contained anthraquinones, flavonoids, seccoirridoids and terpenoids and was found to be effective for the treatment or prophylaxis of malaria. Oral care

The twigs are used as chew sticks and the presence of bioactive compounds effective in cleaning teeth. While the tender leaves are chewed for bleeding gums and bad breath, and it is said to prevent hangovers (if chewed before drinking). Parturient

A combined decoction of leaves and bark is given to expel the placenta after childbirth. Rheumatism

Pulped leaves are made up into suppository in Congo for treating piles. Skin use

It can provide astringency, wound healing and skin damage repair properties that follow the ethnopharmaceutical traditions of the plant.

Common name: Kedondong Scientific name: Spondias cytherea Kingdom: Plantae Order: Sapindales Family: Anacardiaceae Genus: Spondias Species: S. dulcis

Description Spondias cytherea is a non-season, tropical tree. This highly ornamental tree is a rapid-grower reaching a height of 12-to18 m with upright growth. Deciduous in habit, its leaves turn bright yellow before falling. The small white flowers are borne in large bunches with male, female and perfect flowers within each cluster. The long-stalked fruits dangle in bunches of a dozen or more. While green the fruit will fall to the ground over a period of several weeks. As they mature the skin turns golden-yellow with an orange-yellow pulp surrounding a single large spiny seed. When ripe they have a pleasant pineapple-like fragrance.

Trunk

It is a fast growing tree, growing 9-12m tall, with both standard and dwarf forms. Leaves

Deciduous, pinnate leaves 20-60cm in length, composed of 9-25 glossy, elliptic/ obovate leaftes 6.25-10cm long, finely toothed toward the apex. Flowers

Small, inconspicuous white flowers are produced in terminal panicles. They are borne in large bunches with male, female within each cluster.

Cluster flowers of kedondong

Fruit and seed

The oval fruits are 6-9cm long, and produced in bunches of 12 or more. Over a period of several weeks, the still hard and green fruits will fall to the ground. They will turn golden yellow as they ripen. This pleasant tasting acidic fruit has a pineapple-mango flavour and a crunchy texture. The part nearer to the peel is quite sour getting sweeter near the seed. The ripe fruit is also much sweeter than the less mature green fruit. Flat seeds are in a tough prickly core.

Fruit

Seed

Habitat

The tree thrives in humid tropical and subtropical areas growing up to 2m in a single growing season. It grows on all types of soil, as long as they are well drained. It has been noted that some trees can suffer from some nutritional disorders if the soil is too alkaline. Trees are cold sensitive when small and should be protected from serious frost and strong wind. Trees do best in full sun, but will produce some fruit in light shade. As a large and vigorous tree they prefer not be planted underneath other large trees and unlike some mango varieties they are not too fussed on salt spray. Medical Uses: Nutritional value 157 9g 2.2g 0.7g 6.23-6.78% 1.0g 42mg 4.5g

Food value per 100g of edible portion* Calories Carbohydrates (sucrose) Fiber Protein Ash Fat Vitamin C Phosphorus *Analyses of whole ripe kedondong. Food uses

In Indonesia and Malaysia, kedondong is eaten with shrimp paste and is usually an ingredient in rojak buah. Carbohydrates and fiber The carbohydrates in the Spondias Dulcis are in the form of sucrose, the natural sugar found in the fruit. Sucrose can use as a source of energy. The fiber in the fruit helps control appetite, improve bowel movements and lower blood cholesterol levels. Vitamins and Minerals A 100-g portion of Spondias Dulcis contains 42 mg of vitamin C, which is 70 percent of our daily value, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. In other words, it contains 30 times the amount found in oranges making it useful for treating throat and respiratory tract infections. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps our body make collagen. It also aids in wound healing and plays a role in immune function. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidation and helping to lower risk of chronic illness such as heart disease and cancer. Cure cancer

Macrosolen cochincinensis parasites that live on trees and parasites 'kedondong' Atropurpurea scurrula the kapok tree grows at a remarkable efficacy as well. Both types of parasites suppress cancer cell proliferation rates in test animals produced tumors. Both parasites are imunomodulator. Loranthus 'kedondong' proven to increase immune cell activity of both humoral and cellular seen by increased levels of interleukin-2 T lymphocytes and macrophages phagocytosis power test animals.

Parasite anti-cancer activity is found that in different types of parasites there is a flavonoid compound kuersetin, worked as an inhibitor of DNA isomerase enzyme that cancer cells plays a role in the propagation and improvement of cancer malignancy There is also meso-inositol compounds and routine that has anti-cancer activity as well as an immune enhancer. Content of tannins in the parasite is also one force against the parasite in the cancer cells because Tanat acid, tannin precursors are compounds that inhibit the process of carcinoma formation. Traditional used

Traditionally, healers have used the dried fruit to help overcome a wide range of problems like: indigestion, fever, liver problems, anaemia, stress, hay fever, arthritis and cataracts

Cough and dysentery

Leaves and bark contain a lot of flavanoids, saponins and tannin. The decoction is drink to cure cough and dysentery. For dysentery medication, a simple remedy is to take 5 grams of fresh bark, clean and cut up before boiling with two glasses of water for 25 minutes. Cool the mixture and sieve before drinking the concoction.