Claim: A viral video claims drinking a mixture of guava leaves, lemongrass and lime can cure sexually transmitted infections.
Verdict: False. While guava leaves and lemongrass may have some medicinal and nutritional properties, there is no medical evidence that they cure sexually transmitted infections.
Full Text
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a serious public health issue across the world. They spread through sexual contact and are caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. According to the World Health Organisation, more than one million curable STIs occur every day, mostly among people aged 15 to 49.
A Facebook user claimed that a combination of guava leaf and lemon grass (archived here) cures sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections.
A woman made the claim in a video, explaining in detail the ingredients and how they helped cure the said ailments.
She said, “If you have any kind of infection in your body, please go and do this. If you have an STD like Gonorrhoea or Syphilis, go and boil guava leaf and lemon grass with two limes and drink it morning and night. After that process, you can put it in a bucket, sit on it, and let the steam go inside your anus. Do it and testify after 7 days.”
As of May 7, 2026, the post had amassed over 59,000 likes, 1,600 comments, 6,000 shares, and over 200,000 views.
DUBAWA analysed the comments to understand users’ views on the claim.
@Ogechi Udochukwu testified to the remedy’s potency, saying, “After taking those things, I went to the hospital and did a lab test. The doctor said to me, Madam, you have nothing like an infection in your body. All your body systems are very clean and neat, nothing like infection.”
@Kwetun Shalote, who seemed interested in getting more details about the remedy, asked, “Please, do we boil a different one every day or do we boil just one time and use it for the whole week?”
@Ijeoma Nkwor also asked, “Can a 17-year-old drink it?”
Seeing that this is a public health issue and many users believe it, DUBAWA decided to verify it.
Verification
DUBAWA began by searching for scientific evidence on the health benefits of guava leaves and lemongrass to determine whether the claim is supported.
According to an article published by Healthline, guava fruit and leaves contain nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, fibre, and antioxidants that may support heart health, digestion, immunity, and blood sugar control. The report also noted that some studies have linked guava leaf extract to antimicrobial properties and support for digestive health. However, the article did not state that guava leaves cure sexually transmitted infections.
WebMD also published an article stating how lemongrass has traditionally been used for digestive issues, pain relief, and fever reduction. The publication also noted that some research suggests it may help reduce inflammation and fight certain bacteria and fungi.
After reviewing available studies and medical sources on both plants, DUBAWA found no scientific evidence that guava leaves and lemongrass cure sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea or syphilis. While both plants may contain compounds with possible health benefits, none of the evidence reviewed established them as a cure for sexually transmitted infections.
Beyond this, we assessed treatment guidance for sexually transmitted infections from medical authorities. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Gonorrhoea Clinical Care page states that gonorrhoea requires medical treatment and currently recommends antibiotics such as ceftriaxone for uncomplicated infections. Also, the CDC Syphilis Treatment Guidelines state that syphilis is treated with penicillin, while the dosage and duration depend on the stage of infection. These recommendations do not mention guava leaves or lemongrass as recognised treatment options.
Experts input
DUBAWA contacted Bala Yunusa, an Infectious Disease specialist at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, who dismissed the claim and explained that sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia are caused by specific bacteria or other pathogens and require targeted medical treatment based on diagnosis.
“Gonorrhoea and chlamydia are bacterial infections that are treated with antibiotics, while syphilis requires a different type of treatment. These procedures are all guided by solid medical findings and tested results. There is hardly any herb that can handle such potent infections,” Bala said.
He warned that such a claim can cause serious consequences, especially for infections like HIV, which is also classified as a sexually transmitted infection and requires lifelong antiretroviral therapy to manage. He stressed that delaying proper medical care can allow the virus to progress and significantly weaken the immune system.
“HIV is a sexually transmitted infection that affects the immune system. Without timely treatment using antiretroviral drugs, it can progress to advanced disease known as AIDS, which is life-threatening. The idea that herbal remedies can replace medical treatment is dangerous because it delays proper care and allows the infection to advance,” he added.
DUBAWA also spoke with Fatima Abdullahi, a urologist and researcher at Ahmadu Bello University, who said claims like this often gain attention because sexually transmitted infections are sensitive conditions that many people prefer to handle privately.
Fatima noted the challenge of similar symptoms and the need for testing.
“The challenge is that symptoms can overlap. Someone may notice discharge or pain during urination and assume it is a minor infection when it could be gonorrhoea, chlamydia, or something else entirely. Without proper testing, there is a risk of treating the wrong condition or leaving the infection untreated,” she explained.
She warned that delayed treatment can result in unavoidable complications, especially when people depend on herbs or home remedies without medical guidance.
“What starts as something manageable can become more serious if ignored or wrongly treated. Some infections respond well to early medical care, but delay may increase the risk of complications. My advice is to seek medical guidance early, even if it starts with speaking to a nurse, doctor, or trained health worker close to you,” she buttressed.
Conclusion
While guava leaves and lemongrass have nutritional and medicinal properties, no evidence shows that combining them cures sexually transmitted diseases.