Feijoa sellowiana (Acca sellowiana): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Feijoa sellowiana work as an antioxidant?

Feijoa sellowiana (Acca sellowiana) exerts antioxidant effects primarily through its rich content of flavonoids, catechins, tannins, and vitamin C. These compounds neutralize free radicals by donating electrons, preventing oxidative damage to cells and tissues. The flavonoids and catechins also modulate inflammatory pathways and may support cardiovascular health. Evidence level C indicates preliminary research supports these mechanisms, though more clinical trials are needed to fully establish the therapeutic pathways involved.

Does Feijoa sellowiana interact with any medications?

Currently, there are no well-documented drug interactions for Feijoa sellowiana. However, due to its vitamin C content and antioxidant properties, it may theoretically affect how the body processes certain medications. Patients taking blood thinners or medications metabolized by the liver should consult a healthcare provider before using concentrated leaf extracts. The fruit consumed as food is generally considered safe. Evidence level C suggests limited interaction data exists, so caution is advised with pharmaceutical medications.

What is the recommended dosage for Feijoa sellowiana?

As a food, Feijoa fruit can be consumed freely as part of a normal diet. For medicinal use of the leaves, traditional preparations suggest 1-2 grams of dried leaf steeped as tea, taken once or twice daily. Standardized extracts may have different dosing recommendations based on concentration. Evidence level C indicates these recommendations are based primarily on traditional use and preliminary research rather than large clinical trials. Consult a qualified herbalist for personalized dosing guidance.

Is Feijoa sellowiana safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Feijoa sellowiana is considered safe when consumed as food during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The fruit provides beneficial nutrients including vitamin C and dietary fiber. However, medicinal preparations such as concentrated leaf extracts should be used with caution, as insufficient safety data exists for these forms during pregnancy. Evidence level C reflects limited clinical research specifically in pregnant populations. Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before using any herbal supplements beyond normal dietary amounts.

What are the health benefits of Feijoa fruit?

Feijoa fruit offers several potential health benefits due to its high antioxidant content, including flavonoids, catechins, and vitamin C. Traditionally, it has been used in folk medicine to support digestive health and as a nutritive tonic. The fruit may help protect cells from oxidative stress and support immune function. Preliminary research (Evidence level C) suggests potential anti-inflammatory properties. As a whole food, it provides dietary fiber and essential nutrients, making it a nutritious addition to a balanced diet.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Feijoa sellowiana (pineapple guava) is a member of the Myrtaceae family known for its fruit and various bioactive compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:38298607, PMID:33330009].

Background

Feijoa sellowiana, also known as pineapple guava, is a Brazilian native subtropical bush of the Myrtaceae family [PMID:32542666, PMID:32454261, PMID:28185042]. It is recognized for its flavorful fruits, ornamental value, and pharmacological properties [PMID:28185042].

Active compounds

The plant contains polyphenols, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, flavonols, and ellagic acid [PMID:31480592, PMID:32431331]. Specific compounds identified include arctigenin [PMID:38298607], flavone [PMID:17604209], alpha-tocopherol, and primetin [PMID:33557639]. Essential oils from leaves and stems contain caryophyllene oxide, linalool, spathulenol, alpha-zingiberene, and humulene oxide II [PMID:35938449]. Pectins from the peel are composed of galacturonic acid, arabinose, galactose, and rhamnose [PMID:37437357].

Mechanism of action

Phenol-rich extracts protect red blood cells by counteracting oxidative stress and preventing the decrease of thiols induced by mercury [PMID:31336755]. Flavone from acetonic extracts induces apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia cells via caspase activation and over-expression of p16, p21, and TRAIL, while inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) [PMID:17604209]. Pectins from the peel exhibit hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities [PMID:37437357].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DMercury-induced toxicity

Phenol-rich fruit extracts (10-200 μg/mL) protect human red blood cells from oxidative stress and cellular toxicity induced by HgCl2, with peel extracts showing greater effect than pulp [PMID:31336755]

Evidence DWound healing (rat model)

Topical application of 5% w/w fruit extract ointment significantly increased wound closure, collagen deposition, and the volume of new epidermis and dermis compared to non-treated groups [PMID:36004938]

Evidence DDepression (mouse model)

Methanolic leaf and fruit extracts showed dose-dependent antidepressant activity in forced swimming and tail suspension tests, with leaf extract showing superior activity to imipramine in the forced swimming test at 800 mg/kg [PMID:26214790]

Evidence DCadmium-induced testicular toxicity (rat model)

Oral administration of fruit extract (400 mg/kg) ameliorated sperm count, morphology, motility, and viability, and increased levels of LH, FSH, prolactin, and testosterone [PMID:33355948]

Evidence DToxoplasmosis (in vitro/in vivo)

Silver nanoparticles based on fruit extracts reduced the proliferation index of T. gondii tachyzoites in Vero cells and increased survival rates in infected mice [PMID:37330943, PMID:30087799]

Safety & adverse effects

Acetonic extract showed no cytotoxic effect on human bone marrow stem cells at doses less than 200 ng/ml [PMID:33330009]. Flavone-rich acetonic extract did not show toxic effects on normal myeloid progenitors [PMID:17604209].

Evidence summary

The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies and animal models (rats/mice), indicating potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant activities. There are no human clinical trials provided in the source data.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 31336755 (2019) — Phenol-Rich Feijoa sellowiana (Pineapple Guava) Extracts Protect Human Red Blood Cells from Mercury-Induced Cellular Toxicity. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2.PMID: 37151701 (2023) — Anticoagulant effect of Feijoa sellowiana extracts generated by different biotechnological techniques. · Heliyon
3.PMID: 35938449 (2022) — Chemical Composition, Antiaging Activities and Molecular Docking Studies of Essential Oils from Acca sellowiana (Feijoa). · Chemistry & biodiversity
4.PMID: 38298607 (2023) — Establishment of feijoa (Acca sellowiana) callus and cell suspension cultures and identification of arctigenin - a high value bioactive compound. · Frontiers in plant science
5.PMID: 31480592 (2019) — Nutritional Characteristics and Antimicrobial Activity of Australian Grown Feijoa (Acca sellowiana).

Feijoa sellowiana

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Feijoa sellowiana

Pastinaca sativa

Alpinia zerumbet

Allium triquetrum

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Feijoa sellowiana

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Feijoa sellowiana

Related Herbs

Pastinaca sativa

Alpinia zerumbet

Allium triquetrum

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources