Papaya Leaves
The leaves are what intrigue me most about this powerhouse fruit.
The leaf contains beta-carotene, calcium, carpaine, fats, flavonols, niacin, papain, tannins, and vitamin C (in higher concentration in the leaf than in the fruit). The leaf, unlike the fruit, is not a source of the protein-dissolving enzyme papain, but the latex (sap) in the leaf stem is. Papain remains in leaf preparations that have been dried over low heat, but it may be destroyed in products that are dried at high heat.
Infusions or teas, taken in small doses. For convenience it may be taken as a capsule or extract.
Physicians of nineteenth century America used papaya leaf to treat "fermentative indigestion," a condition of bloating, nausea, and flatulence frequently following excessive consumption of fermented foods. It has been noted noted that teas (decoctions) of papaya leaf helped reduce the oxalic acid content of the urine, presumably reducing the formation of oxalic acid kidney stones.
Ever notice on TV or wherever how the Polynesians wrap their pig in leaves before putting it in the ground to cook at a luau? It's primarily because papaya leaves are used in traditional Polynesian cooking to tenderize meat.
The primary use of papaya leaf (and papaya seeds) in herbal medicine today is as a vermifuge, that is, to remove intestinal worms. Papaya leaf has less of the protein-dissolving papain than the fruit, so it is less likely to "dissolve" the worms, but it contains tannins that the fruit does not. These tannins protect the intestine from reinfection by "tanning" proteins in the lining of the intestinal wall so that worms cannot attach themselves.
Papaya seeds seems to have some awesome properties, so far as eliminationing intestinal worms, cleasning the liver, and others. They have been used in ancient Chinese medecine, but my research tells me you have to know what you are doing, since some studies on animals "suggest" extended use can lead to infertility in men and miscarriages in women. Which make sense, because papaya seeds have traditionally been used as a contraceptive. But I won't let that scare me with such a powerful healing fruit and it's seeds. The health and healing properties of the seeds seem too powerful for me not to address how to take advantage of them, so until I understand more, I will take them occasionally, like once or twice every couple of months, to cleanse the liver and digestive track. Since the seeds have been eaten for centuries in foods, I'm pretty comfortable with the time tested human use of the papaya seeds seeds.
According to "Papaya the Medicine Tree," the entire papaya plant — roots, leaves and fruit — offers medicinal value. Young papaya leaves are eaten like a vegetable in some cuisines, and papaya leaf tea has a variety of purported medicinal effects.
Papaya leaf tea might prove effective as a cancer preventative and trmenteat, according to a study published in the February 2010 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology." In the tissue culture study, papaya leaf tea reduced inflammation and activated immune system toxic effects toward cancer cells, inhibited tumor cell growth and stimulated genes that modulate the immune system's anti-tumor effects. The researchers concluded that the results of their preliminary study indicate the immune-modulating properties of papaya leaf tea may prove to useful in treatment and prevention of diseases, including cancer, allergies and as a component in some vaccines.
Papaya leaf tea protected against gastric ulcer in a study on laboratory animals published in the September 2008 issue of the "West Indian Medical Journal." In the study, papaya leaf extract reduced ulcer severity and showed strong antioxidant effects. Papaya leaf extract also decreased oxidized lipids and increased antioxidant activity within red blood cells. Researchers concluded from this preliminary study that papaya leaf tea shows potential for the treatment of gastric ulcer and oxidative stress on the stomach.
The enzyme papain in papaya leaves assists in the digestion of proteins and is useful for treating gastrointestinal disorders, according to the book "The Complete Herbal Guide: A Natural Approach to Healing the Body." Papaya leaf tea can alleviate heartburn discomfort and is an appetite stimulant.
Papaya leaf tea may also help digest the wheat protein gluten, which is difficult for some people to digest and causes an autoimmune condition known as celiac disease.
I have no known allergic reactions to any food, but I always take my time when trying something new just to be sure. I read that excessive use of the herb can result in a very strong laxative effect. Also, the enzyme papain in papaya leaf has been known to cause allergic reactions in some people, according to a study published in the September 2008 issue of the journal "Ugeskrift for Laeger."
WARNING ABOUT HAWAIIAN PAPAYA – More than one third to half of Hawaiian papayas have been genetically engineered to withstand the papaya ringspot virus, so take purchasing precautions while shopping if you are concerned about GMO foods, like I am. Unfortunately, there seems to be some accidental "cross-pollination" on organic Hawaiian papaya farms, so I will avoid Hawaiian papaya totally as a precaution. Luckily, the Whole Foods I shop at is not selling the Hawaiian papaya, it is from Belize or Guatemala. They are not certified organic, so I don't know if they are sprayed or not, but better that than GMO.
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