Bitter tonics / 1995

Botanical name: 
Psidium guajava
Problems: 
Digestive - upper GI

Date: Tue, 17 Oct 1995 19:38:22 +0000
Sender: HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR
From: christopher hedley <christopher.GN.APC.ORG>
Subject: re Guava

A Nicaraguan herbalist told me that Guava bark tea is used for intestinal infections - worms, guardia etc.

I have no access so havn't tried it but most worming barks are also bitter tonics. Bitter tonics are a major category in western herbal medicine. They improve liver function, digestive function ans absorption of nutrients. They are therefore good for a whole range a chronic illnesses.

The same would apply to the famous black walnut green fruit tincture. Bitter tonics in one form or another will be benificial to most people. The only common proviso is to add a little spice, for warmth, for cold people and conditions.

Christopher Hedley