PAPAYA

Latin Name: Carica papaya

Alternate Names: Pawpaw, Melon Tree, Custard Apple

Family: CARICACEAE

Parts Used: Leaves, fruit, seeds, latex.

Properties: Antiparasitic, Antitumor, Digestive Tonic, Emmenagogue, Hypoglycemic, Hemolytic, Stomach Tonic, Vermifuge, Vulnerary.

Internal Uses: Allergies, Amenorrhea, Constipation, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Giardia, Indigestion, Parasites, Ulcers

Internal Applications: Tea, Capsules.
The fruit only is hypoglycemic. The seeds only are valuable against parasites.
Papain is an enzyme present in the unripe papaya fruit, the peel of the ripe fruit and leaf. It is similar to pepsin and helps to digest protein, carbohydrates and fats. It also reduces acid secretions in the stomach. Currently one of the other enzymes in papaya, chymopapain, is being used in medicine where it is injected directly into herniated lumbar discs to dissolve protein and reduce inflammation. In Asia, the latex has been applied to the cervix to stimulate labor.

Topical Uses: Boils, Insect Stings, Ringworm, Tumors, Warts, Wounds

Topical Applications: Use leaves as a poultice for wounds, even festering wounds. Unripe fruit is used in facial masks and applied as a poultice for tumors. Papain powder is applied to bee stings and fire coral burns to reduce pain and inflammation. Papain powder is also used as a tooth and gum cleanser. The latex is applied to boils, wounds, ringworm and warts.

Culinary uses: Papain is used as a meat tenderizer.

Energetics: Sweet, Neutral.

Chemical Constituents: Proteolytic enzymes (papain, chymopapain), alkaloid (carpaine). Seeds contain carpasemine.

Contraindications: Pregnant women should avoid large amounts of Papaya in medicinal doses until its effect upon the placenta is better understood. As with all substances, allergic reactions are possible. Excessive amounts can be purgative.

Comments: There have been reports that women in Polynesia and the Carribean eat 25 seeds a day as a contraceptive agent, to stimulate menses and labor, and to induce abortion.