Fru1ts
Papaya
[Carica papaya)
The Papaya is a versatile fruit. A slice of ripe
Papaya for breakfast is a great way to start
your day, for this fruit is literally bursting
with healing and rejuvenating enzymes. Not
only do these enzymes sti mulate the liver for
proper functioning, but also cause an overall
improvement in the digestion and as a result
provide an increase in the health and vitality.
lt is orange-yellow when ripe and used in jel-
lies, preserves, and fruit juices. The green, un-
ripe fruit is used in curries and salads, while
the leaves and root of the plant are also used
in a vari ety of dishes.
Papaya contains a digestive enzyme called
'Papain' which has a unique property to di-
gest proteins and fats. There is an abundance
of vitami ns viz. vitamin A, vitamin B complex
and vitamin C found in this fruit. Not on ly this,
the fruit could benefit by increasing the blood
pressure as well as the blood sugar levels. This
is highly suggestive for those suffering from
the symptoms of fatigue, lack of vigor and oc-
casional loss of sleep.
Papaya diet is advisable i n the urinary disor-
ders in which there is a decrease in the normal
flow of urine. ln case ofexcessive pain during
menstruation or an irregular or decreased flow
during the cycle, papaya again comes to use.
The seeds and leaves of papaya are believed to
be helpfu l in decreasing pain and swelling. ln
case of joi nt pains, the leaves are to be warmed
and applied as a hot fomentation onto t he af-
fected joints or the seeds can be crushed and
mixed into mustard oil for massage.
To get rid of intestinal worms mix papaya la-
tex with castor oil and take this mixture in the
early mornings. This time tested remedy for
intestinal worms is very effective and has no
adverse side effects. The latex from t he un-
ripe fruit is also excellent for the rapid cure of
stubborn ulcers in mouth, tongue, and t hroat.
To treat skin diseases, especially scabies and
scalp eczema, papaya latex is mixed with alum
powder and the paste is applied on the affect-
ed areas. The area is then cleaned with warm
water after an hour .One simple way to lose
weight is by consuming unripe papaya fruits
both raw and cooked.
Ayurvedic physicians use Papaya used for
treating digestive problems and intestinal
worms . lt is a remedy for flatulence, liver dis-
orders and infection of the pancreas, as well
as for gastro-intestina l problems and enzyme
deficiencies.. Ayurvedic medicines for arthritis
use Papaya too .Fresh cuts orwounds are treat-
ed with applying the juice of a fresh fruit. The
dried latex collected from unripe papaya fruits
are used in the preparation of some Ayurvedic
medicines that are effective in the treatment
of warts, moles, eczema and skin allergies.
Apart from the fruits, the roots and leaves of
this tree also have medicinal properties .
The fruit of Papaya is a destroyer of the vata
and kapha doshas (air and phlegm body hu-
mors). This is in accordance to the special
properties it sustains . All the more, in the ripe
state, papaya also tends to combat an aggrava-
tion in the pitta dosha or the fire body humor.
Papaya creates 'virja' or hot energy and kindles
'agni', the digestive fire. Toxins are burned by
better digestion. A person with excess Vatta
shou ld eat Papaya.
According to Ayurvedic texts, a powder pre-
pared by pounding t he seeds of the fruit is to
be taken along with warm water in a dose of
half to one gram. Also, the lactating mothers
need to supplement t he fruit in their daily diet
regímen. This could result into a better produc-
tion of milk.
Papaya fruits offer many benefits to diabetics,
including a low sugar food choice and an an-
tioxidant source. Choosing to eat papaya for
diabetes is especially helpful since it has low
sugar amounts compareci to other fruit. Many
diabetics need to reduce their fruit intake
since natural fruit sugars cause high blood
sugar levels. Although papayas are sweet to
taste, t he glucose levels are relative ly low
throughout the fruit's edible portion.
from the desk
AVU RVEDA & Health Tourism ~ July/September 2014