Can Guava leaf extract cure infertility?

Social media users are claiming that a drink made with guava leaves can cure infertility.

"A drink made with guava leaves can cure infertility because they contain fertility boosting nutrients", the post said.

The post is making rounds on Facebook since March 19, 2022.

"Stop wasting your money every time on drugs and try a natural way. This remedy doesn't have any side effect," the post said.

The viral post also comes with a piece of advice: "Your husband can drink it too, but you have to add ginger. And remember always have faith in yourself. Have a positive mindset always."

According to Healthline, Guava fruit or leaf extract may have a positive effect on heart health by lowering blood pressure, decreasing bad cholesterol, and increasing good cholesterol.

Guava indeed has some health benefits but can guava leaf extract cure infertility?

Let's find out.

FACT CHECK

Firstly, we need to understand what infertility is.

World Health Organisation defines infertility as a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.

Moving further, we performed a keyword search to find any studies or research backing the claim. We found an article by Healthline that states, "Due to its abundance of nutrients, including fiber, folate, and vitamin C, guava is thought to help boost fertility."

"No controlled, human studies have specifically examined guava and fertility. Thus, while guava's nutrients may help women who are trying to conceive, this fruit doesn't likely boost fertility any more than other similarly healthy foods."

This means that guava leaf extracts help women trying to conceive by providing nutritional value but can't help infertility.

Some researchers suggested that research done on mice showed that ethanol extract guava leaves with a dose of 15mg/25g body weight had significantly decreased sperm quality and increased expression of COX-2 in the testes of mice. This research indicates that guava leaves have the potential to be used as a herbal contraceptive.

As per the investigation, the claim lacks scientific evidence and research done on humans.

Hence, we rate the claim as false.