PAPAYA FOR EVERYTHING

Sure, many people are aware that pawpaw is a fruit that is good for health. But the benefits of eating pawpaw go far beyond its richness in Vitamin C. It’s enclosed hundreds of black, rounded gelatinous seeds are actually nutritious, offering numerous health benefits.

Pawpaw is widely used as folkloric herbal medicine. The male pawpaw is reserved by man for medical purpose only, while the female pawpaw produces fruits for both food and medicine.

Its tree has a lot of benefits:

Worm expeller
Researchers at the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria said dried pawpaw seeds are effective to destroy and flush out worms from the body and without significant side effects.

The 2007 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, said 76.7 per cent of those who were given honey mixed with dried seeds of pawpaw were cleared of parasites after seven days while 16.7 per cent of those who took honey alone.

ADVERTISING

inRead invented by Teads
Menstruation
Pawpaw fruit regulates the menstrual flow and eases the condition in menstrual cramps. An enzyme it contains called papain helps in regulating and easing flow during menstrual periods.

Dengue fever treatment
Decoction of pawpaw leaves exhibited potential activity against Dengue fever. In 2011, researchers tested its extract against Dengue fever in a 45-year-old patient bitten by dengue virus carrier mosquitoes. They made the recommendation in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine based on the patient’s recovery and blood reports.

Support blood sugar control
Experts have identified chemical substances in pawpaw leaves that support blood sugar control. Results of a 2011 study in The Journal of Natural Product Research showed a significant reduction in the blood glucose level in the pawpaw treated group of animals in comparison to a control group.

Good immune booster
Researchers at the Institute of Medical Science in The University of Tokyo, Japan, has suggested that pawpaw leaf extract may potentially provide the means for the treatment and prevention of selected human diseases such as cancer and various allergic disorders.

Also, a single pawpaw fruit can fulfil more than 200 per cent of the daily requirement of Vitamin C, making it great to build a stronger immune system.

Wound healing
Extracts of pawpaw seeds, researchers in the 2003 West Indian Medical Journal, showed inhibit many disease causing germs such as E coli, suggesting that it could be useful in treating chronic skin ulcers to promote healing.

Fights cancer
An investigation published in the 2010 edition of the Journal of Natural Products found raw pawpaw bark extracts stops the growth of cancer cells. A specific chemical within pawpaw — acetogenin —, including its seeds, was particularly effective at suppressing colon, breast, lung, leukemia and prostate cancer.

Treats intestinal worms
Pawpaw leave extracts should provide an effective and safe solution to lice infestation. A clinical trial in Phytomedicine that was done in 2002 found a home-made shampoo containing pawpaw extracts to be effective against lice infestation. The final study, showed it to be 100 per cent successful.

Fertility
Eating pawpaw seeds can greatly reduce sperm production without affect libido. Studies with rats and monkeys showed no sperm production after its seed was taken for 90 days. It was also without any side effects. Of course, when the pawpaw seeds were removed from the diet, fertility came back to normal.

Protects from kidney disease
Researchers at the University of Karachi have found that its seeds can be used for treating kidney disease and preventing renal failure. It works especially for poisoning related kidney disease. Infusion made from the young and unripe fruits is used as natural remedy for kidney and bladder problems.

Lowers cholesterol
Pawpaw fruits are rich in fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants that prevent cholesterol build up in the arteries. Too much cholesterol build-up can block the arteries completely, causing a heart attack. Its extract also reduces level of lipid and triglycerides in diabetic rats.

Protects against arthritis
Eating pawpaw is good for the bones as they have anti-inflammatory properties along with Vitamin C which helps in keeping various forms of arthritis at bay.

A study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases showed that people who consumed foods low in Vitamin C were three times more likely to have arthritis than those who didn’t.

Supports good skin
Studies reveal that pawpaw contains essential compounds that foster healthy, glowing and youthful skin. The peel and the pulp are used for producing cosmetics or as a local remedy for rejuvenating damaged skin and for tackling skin diseases such as dry skin due to its vitamin A and vitamin E content.

Malaria treatment
Pawpaw leaves are a great herbal remedy for treating malaria especially when boiled together with neem leaves and taken as an herbal tea.

Laxative
Ripe papaya is an effective laxative as it facilitates bowel movement. Eat at least a whole papaya fruit can aid with bowel movement when constipated.