Papaya

See also :

• Papain
  

Other Names: Banane de Prairie, Caricae Papayae Folium, Carica papaya, Carica peltata, Carica posoposa, Chirbhita, Erandachirbhita, Erand Karkati, Green Papaya, Mamaerie, Melonenbaumblaetter, Melon Tree, Papaw, Papaya Fruit, Papayas, Papaye, Papaye Verte, Papayer, Papita.
Papaya is a plant. The fruit and leaves are used to make medicine.

Special Precautions of Papaya

• Papaya seems safe for most people when taken in small amounts. Don’t take papaya by mouth in large amounts. It could damage the esophagus, the food tube in the throat.
• Applying papaya to the skin can cause severe irritation and allergic reactions in some people.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don’t take papaya by mouth in medicinal amounts if you are pregnant. There is some evidence that unprocessed papain, one of the chemicals found in papaya, might poison the fetus or cause birth defects. Not enough is known about the safety of papaya during breast-feeding. It’s best to avoid taking it in amounts higher than normal food amounts.
• Papain allergy: Papaya contains papain. If you are allergic to papain, avoid eating papaya or taking products that contain papaya.
• Latex allergy: If you are allergic to latex, there is a good chance you are also be allergic to papaya. If you have a latex allergy, avoid eating papaya or taking products that contain papaya.
• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with PAPAYA

The benefits of papaya are

Every part of the papaya tree and its fruit lend great therapeutic value in maintaining health and correcting bodily imbalances. Indigenous people have known of the health promoting benefits of papaya for centuries, and now the knowledge has entered into the spotlight of modern medicine. Papaya is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. The ripe fruit provides a bounty of vitamin C, E, and A along with folate and potassium. The shining star of papaya nutrition is papain, a formidable enzyme that helps digest protein and reduce inflammation. Papain is 3 times more abundant in green papaya than fully ripened fruit. The leaves are considered the most powerful element of the plant, yet the skin of both unripe and ripe fruit is also remarkably bioactive. The leaves contain 15 times the digestible protein of fully ripened fruit and include high levels of papain. The skin of mature green papaya is also an abundant source of this potent enzyme.

• Contains a chemical called Papain. Papain breaks down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. That’s why it works as a meat tenderizer. However, papain is changed by digestive juices, so there is some question about whether it could be effective as a medicine when taken by mouth.
• Contains a chemical called carpain. Carpain seems to be able to kill certain parasites, and it might affect the central nervous system.
• Cancer : The fiber binds to cancer causing toxins which are then removed from the system, safeguarding healthy colon cells in the process. The enzymes found in papaya also remove the thick fibrin coating on tumors which allows the killer T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. Of the many health virtues of papaya, the ability to dissolve cancerous tumors has caught the attention of modern science. Believed to have been discovered by the Aboriginal tribes of Australia, papaya leaf tea is an effective remedy for cancer. A study at the University of Florida found that papaya slowed the growth of a wide variety of tumors, including those of the breast, lung, pancreas, cervix, and liver. Researchers used a concentrated tea made from dried papaya leaf. It was found that the larger the dose of papaya leaf tea used the more it reduced the tumor. The dramatic healing properties of the tea were attributed to increased production of Th1-type cytokines, which are regulators of the immune system. With an increase of cytokines, the immune system is able to dissolve cancer cells. As an added benefit, consumption of papaya leaf tea is void of the harmful side effects of traditional therapies. However, those with a known latex allergy should not consume any part of the papaya tree including the fruit.
• Skin Care : Papaya is a valuable fruit for fighting against wrinkles and blemishes. Papaya is rich in vitamin A, E, C enzymes, and antioxidants, which clean the skin of dirt, acne, and dark spots, and moisturizes it giving the skin a clean and clear complexion. However, the component that papaya is most well-known for is papain. Papain is a proteolytic enzyme, which promotes skin renewal and cellular turnover. When dead skin cells slough off it reveals new, fresh cells underneath leaving the skin glowing and firm. Although, cellular turnover normally takes 30 days, when you use papaya it helps to exfoliate the skin revealing new, softer cells. Papain removes wrinkles and smooths out skin because new cells contain collagen, which keeps your skin healthy, youthful and taunt. Papaya can be eaten or mashed up to be used in a facemask or scrub. Papayas are also rich in vitamin E and beta carotene. They both help fight free radicals and prevent cell damage. But vitamin E also supports collagen production. Collagen is what keeps your skin firm and supple. Beta carotene may smooth away wrinkles by protecting against—and even helping reverse—skin damage from the sun. Eating papaya alone will help with this. But using a papaya-based facemask is a great way to directly expose your skin to these healing compounds.
• Preserves Eyesight: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50 years old. Your macula is the part of your eye that allows you to focus on fine details. This includes the faces of your friends and family. And if you're eating papaya, you're helping to protect your eyes. Papaya is rich in zeaxanthin. It's a potent carotenoid that may slow—and even prevent—the development of AMD. You'll even find it in your macula and retina. Your eyes need it to help maintain clarity and focus.
• Heart Disease: Eating a diet high in fiber might help you prevent heart disease. One study found you can decrease your risk for heart disease by about 9% for every seven grams of fiber you eat each day. The antioxidants in papaya also help lower inflammation. A single papaya can give you more than 150 mg of vitamin C alone.
• Protects Your Bones: Papayas are high in vitamin K which helps drive calcium directly into your bones. Papayas also contain calcium. So you're getting these two critical nutrients for keeping solid bones in each bite. But eating papaya may do more for your bones than make them stronger. The antioxidants in papaya can reduce oxidative damage in your bone marrow. This may help prevent cancer in your blood and bone marrow. But if you already suffer from a blood or bone marrow cancer, papaya can help you produce blood cells correctly.