Also known as:

Carica papaya.

Uses:

Indigestion, poor protein digestion, intestinal parasites, eg. threadworms.

Description:

The Papaya tree, native to Taiwan, reaches heights of up to 10 metres, and has large, long stemmed leaves and fruit rather like small melons. The leaf of the Papaya tree, as well as its fruit, has a long tradition of use in Asia for digestive problems. The fruit is sweet in taste and now popular in Western countries.

How it works:

The leaf and fruit of the Papaya tree contain protein-digesting enzymes (papain and chymopapain), which help to break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Papaya leaves are actually used commercially to tenderise meat, due to their enzymatic activity. In the human body, papain has a similar action to the digestive enzyme pepsin, which should be produced in the stomach. In those with impaired or weak digestive function, papaya may therefore assist in the proper breakdown of food.

Papain has been shown to dissolve the outer cuticle of intestinal worms, making it a useful tool in their removal.

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