Great Uses of Ideas
Here's a use from Tapa Dipti Sitaula, of Kathmandu, Nepal, who implemented the following idea from Soumi Dutta: "To strengthen your gum & cure the pain due to loosening of teeth just chew a guava leaf twice a day. You can feel the difference within 2-3 days. This is my grandma's Indian recipe which I have used extensively. She still has all her teeth at 75+." Tapa writes:
I've used the above idea for more than two weeks already and have found the idea useful especially for reducing toothache during the growth of wisdom-teeth and for controlling bad breath. I got the guava leaves from my own garden. And one more suggestion for those who don't have a guava tree handy--guava leaves can be dried and powdered for storage. This can serve one for quite a long time for preparing decoctions or as an addition to the regular toothpaste. This way, one won't have to get to the guava tree regularly. Thank you, ideaexplore.net, for the idea.
The primary disease in teeth and gums is gingivitis. The primary cause of gingivitis is the bacteria that coats the teeth, and if oral hygiene is poor, they form a sticky white substance called plaque. The bacteria here proliferate faster and produces toxins that irritate your gums, keeping them swollen and red. When they are left untreated, they will destroy the tissues connecting the gums to the tooth, and eventually the tooth to the bones, causing a deep pocket and eventually attacking the bony structure. It has now progressed into periodontitis, which is an irreversible form of gum disease.
The bark and leaf extracts of guava (Psidium guajava) have shown to have in vitro toxic action against numerous bacteria. The leaves of guava are rich in flavonoids. The flavonoids have demonstrated anti-bacterial activity. This anti-bacterial property of guava leaves is what causes benefit to the teeth and gums.
Because of this reason, guava has been used for centuries to cure problems related to the teeth and gums.
- Leaves are chewed to relieve toothache and to cure bleeding gums and bad breath.
- Guava leaf decoction is gargled to relieve mouth sores and inflamed and bleeding gums.
- The paste of tender leaves of guava is used as toothpaste.
Guava also finds its use in many other problems besides those related to the gums.
- The ripe fruits of guava are edible.
- The roots, bark, leaves and immature fruits, because of their astringency, are commonly employed to halt gastroenteritis, diarrhea, dysentery and vomiting in cholera patients.
- The leaf decoction is taken as a remedy for coughs, throat and chest ailments.
I don't know whether guava leaf has all these effects (except the one about ripe guava fruit being edible, which I have personally tested!), but thank you, Tapa, for chewing on this idea for us.