When it comes to wellness, some of the best products have resulted from natural ingredients. Thanks to mother nature, each natural product has its own healing properties, as well as vitamins and antioxidants; the possibilities are endless. For centuries, people all over the world have used the natural ingredients in their neck of the woods to heal themselves. So, let’s say we spin the globe and stop: We’ve landed in Central America. You’re handed a light green fruit with a bright pink interior. It’s sweet, and tastes strawberry, and a little like pear. It’s Latin name is Psidium guajava, and in Spanish it’s called Guayaba. But in English, this delectable fruit is called Guava.
Native to Central America, but found in South America as well as the Caribbean, guava is one of the most popular tropical fruits. Being Puerto Rican, my eyes light up when I hear the word guava. I’ve seen it in various forms: from an overly sweet (yes delicious) candy, to a fresh juice (or even a mojito), and my personal favorite, un pastelillo de guayaba. With a fruit so commonly found, it’s multi-purpose benefits are just waiting to be explored. Guava, in its raw form, contains many powerful antioxidants and nutrients, such as Vitamin C, Potassium, and Fiber. It’s been used to remedy different illnesses and symptoms, like menstrual cramps, the flu, Type 2 Diabetes, and even cancer.
The fact that guava has so many nutrients is what makes it a superfruit. For example, Guava contains Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene is what gives a red and pink pigment to fruits, and is commonly found in tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. As for hair wellness, this same antioxidant has been shown to prevent hair damage inflicted from the sun. Ceremonia’s Guava Rescue spray can help to remedy some of these common hair troubles. It helps to provide protection from not only UV rays, but everything from environmental pollutants to heated tools. Using it before styling can help to protect your hair from becoming dry or having breakage. It’s good to remember that having increased protection on your hair is one of the key ways to ensure hair health and bring it back to it’s best state.
Guava has a very high content of essential fatty acids, like linoleic acid. One of the benefits of eating foods with linoleic acid is it supports your heart health, and has been shown to lower cholesterol. When used for your hair, this acid in guava works to help to retain moisture. As for Ceremonia’s Guava Leave-in Conditioner, it helps to hydrate your hair, which ensures that your locks stay beautiful and soft. It utilizes the healing of properties of guava to help repair your hair.
Guava is such a multipurpose fruit, and even the leaves have healing properties themselves. Guava leaves are often brewed into an herbal tea, and the leaf extracts used as dietary supplements. In Mexico, the flesh of the guava fruit has been used to heal wounds. The benefits of guava don’t just stop at the physical self, but work towards the mental self as well. The scent of guava is also known to provide aromatherapy benefits. The sweet and slightly woody notes of this fruit can help give a sense of relaxation and self-assurance.
The versatility of guava helps to show us the importance of using nature’s resources as a key in our wellness. Natural remedies and products can sometimes be overlooked but in my opinion, the simpler the better. And what’s easier than using something from your own backyard? So, let this be an ode to guava...you sweet and delicious fruit, thank you for all that you do. And thanks for being so damn tasty.
