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No evidence guava leaves or aidan fruit affect fertility in women

“BOOST YOUR OVULATION,” reads the headline of a message posted on Facebook in Nigeria in November 2021.

Instructions are given in the post for how to boil up guava leaves and “aidan pod”, apparently also called “uyayak/ushiokrishio”, into a tea. 

It then gives dosage instructions: “Take 1 glass cup (300-400mls) before breakfast and before bed. To be taken warm. It should be taken during menstruation. Discard the left ober if any, after menstruation. Don’t keep it for more than 5 days.

The guava or Psidium guajava is a small tropical tree cultivated for its fruit. 

The aidan tree, botanical name Tetrapleura tetraptera, is a species of flowering plant in the pea family native to West Africa. Its fruit grows in pods.

Ovulation is the release of an egg from a woman’s ovary during the menstrual cycle. If the egg is fertilised by a male sperm during sex, conception takes place.

But can an infusion of guava leaves and aidan fruit “boost ovulation” in women?

guava_false

Not scientifically proven 

Africa Check asked Michael Aziken, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology and infertility expert at the University of Benin in southern Nigeria, about the claim. 

“Ovulation cannot be boosted with a mixture of guava leaves and aidan fruit. What exactly would the mixture do to boost ovulation? Would it create more eggs? I’m shocked at how people come up with all sorts. Please disregard the claim.”

Dr Rotimi Adesanya, a family physician and medical director at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Medical Centre in Lagos, gave us medical advice on what drugs boost ovulation.

“Boosting ovulation is done by gynaecologists, especially for cases of infertility. We can use clomid tablets to stimulate ovulation. This may help women who are having ovulation issues.”

There is no evidence that a tea from guava leaf and aidan pod would have any effect on fertility.

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