The entire papaya (Latin name: Carica papaya) plant has medicinal and nutritional value. The mature fruit, rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E, amino acids, calcium and iron, can also assist with digestion as the enzymes break down hard-to digest proteins. Poor digestion can result in a wide range of conditions including acne, allergies, arthritis, bloating, constipation, dairy-food intolerance, diarrhea, gout, hay fever, high blood pressure, psoriasis, stomach ulcers and tuberculosis.
Papaya has more Vitamin A than carrots, more Vitamin C than oranges and is an abundant source of the anti-oxidant Vitamin E. It is an effective in detoxification of the body, speeds metabolic processes and restores enzymes to the body enabling the strengthening of the immune system.
Enzymes work as the catalysts for thousands of specific bio-chemical reactions in the body, from digestion to tissue repair. The consumption of fresh raw foods will ensure a good supply of enzymes, but eating refined, processed or cooked foods depletes levels of enzymes and will result in poor ineffective digestion. The fresh foods will also allow the body to rest from manufacturing its own enzymes in the absence of a ready supply as this production is a tiring process.
When the fruit is mature but still green it is at its most nutritious even if it does not taste as flavorful as the ripened fruit. In this mature, but green state it contains large quantities of the enzyme papain which promotes digestion and eases stomach ailments. This promotion of digestion helps to ensure a healthy colon, enabling the regulation of such other in-balances in the system as arthritis, constipation, diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition to this papain has been used to not only prevent cancer, but assist in its treatment. People taking papain are reported to recover faster from surgery and chemotherapy. Papain unlike the bodies own digestive enzyme pepsin which does not function well in an alkaline environment, continues to function in acidic, alkaline or neutral stomach acid levels. Papain also works to transform proteins into various amino acids such as arginine. This essential amino acid which can only be derived from foods sources helps in the production of the human growth hormone which increases muscle tone and decreases the amount of body fat. The green papaya also contains other enzymes which help to dissolve injured or hardened tissues alleviating the problems of ‘hardening of the arteries’ and South American women even massage their breasts with thin slices of green papaya to simulate the milk glands.
It must be noted here that the ripe papaya fruit contains almost no papain, yet the fresh leaves continue to maintain their high levels of the enzyme.
Green papaya has only a third of the calories of the ripened fruit and twice the quantity of digestible protein. The enzymes of the mature green fruit also help to digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats, yet the most nutritious part of the plant is the leaves. The leaves contain levels of niacin, fiber, beta-carotene, and highly digestible plant protein of up to five times of the fruit.
The skin should also not be disregarded as the fleshy side of the papaya skin can be used to treat external ulcers, sunburn and skin rashes. The seeds also contain the enzyme myrosin which has similar qualities to papain, as well as others that can assist to calm the heart. The tree bark can be used as a remedy for toothaches, the flowers when made into a tea can ease jaundice and bronchitis, and the roots can also be prepared as a tea to eliminate intestinal parasites and to alleviate colic and jaundice.
To maintain your health, fresh papaya should be included in your diet each day, whether as a drink, fresh fruit or by adding papaya sprouts to salads. To make a nutritious and flavourful start to your day, place mature green papaya, papaya skin and papaya seeds in a food blender together with other fresh fruits and a little water and blend until smooth.
Papaya is a plant that has a multitude of uses and while it is natures own medicine, it must be used in moderation. In rare cases over use can result in side effects. Pregnant women should consume only the fresh ripe flesh of the papaya and avoid all other papaya products or complications can result.