People have been using plants as medicine since the dawn of time. Everything from the bark to the roots and fruits have been turned into a way to cure ailments from a simple toothache to serious illnesses. In tropical climates, for instance, people have been using papaya leaf for many different things and their folk knowledge is now hitting the mainstream too.
The papaya tree is native to the tropical parts of the Americas. Because the fruit is so delicious and versatile, the tree is now cultivated in many parts of the world where there is a tropical or subtropical climate. It has been incorporated into the traditional cuisines of many countries, even as far afield as Thailand.
The fruit is very healthy and is a rich source of Vitamin C and other nutrients. However, the leaves are nutritious too, with a high content of calcium and other minerals like phosphorus and iron, as well as Vitamins A and C. Some people boil and eat the leaves for this very reason.
The leaves contain enzymes that can increase the production of blood platelets and white blood cells. For this reason, in some places people boil the leaves in water to make a tea. They then use this tea for its anti-malarial properties. Scientific studies have shown that the tea can also be useful in the treatment of dengue fever and pharmaceutical companies are now also looking into the benefits of an extract of the tree's leaves in modern medicines.
Some of the enzymes in the leaves can also regulate the T-cells in the blood. Because of this, some people use an extract from papaya leaves when undergoing chemotherapy. The extract can also help fight cancers such as lung, liver, pancreatic, cervix and breast cancer.
The leaf enzymes help to strengthen immunity because they help raise the levels of blood platelets and white blood cells. Along with their Vitamin C content, the leaves are therefore great for colds and other viral infections. In addition, they contain tannins which fight off intestinal parasites such as worms.
The leaf juices are not only good for the body's insides but for its outside too. Some shampoos and hair conditioners contain the extract for its dandruff-fighting characteristics. Used for cleansing the skin, these juices also help to fight acne. They can be applied directly to the skin to treat warts, eczema and sores or cuts too.
There are two ways to make your own papaya leaf juice. You can either press the liquid from the crushed leaves or you can boil dried leaves in water and let it simmer until the liquid is reduced by about half. Then simply strain off the liquid and keep it in the refrigerator. It will last for a couple of days. The juice tastes quite bitter so you might want to mix it with fruit juice. You shouldn't use the juice if it's become cloudy and since it can induce miscarriage, you should also avoid it if you're pregnant. If you don't have your own tree, you can buy the leaves online or from some health shops.
The papaya tree is native to the tropical parts of the Americas. Because the fruit is so delicious and versatile, the tree is now cultivated in many parts of the world where there is a tropical or subtropical climate. It has been incorporated into the traditional cuisines of many countries, even as far afield as Thailand.
The fruit is very healthy and is a rich source of Vitamin C and other nutrients. However, the leaves are nutritious too, with a high content of calcium and other minerals like phosphorus and iron, as well as Vitamins A and C. Some people boil and eat the leaves for this very reason.
The leaves contain enzymes that can increase the production of blood platelets and white blood cells. For this reason, in some places people boil the leaves in water to make a tea. They then use this tea for its anti-malarial properties. Scientific studies have shown that the tea can also be useful in the treatment of dengue fever and pharmaceutical companies are now also looking into the benefits of an extract of the tree's leaves in modern medicines.
Some of the enzymes in the leaves can also regulate the T-cells in the blood. Because of this, some people use an extract from papaya leaves when undergoing chemotherapy. The extract can also help fight cancers such as lung, liver, pancreatic, cervix and breast cancer.
The leaf enzymes help to strengthen immunity because they help raise the levels of blood platelets and white blood cells. Along with their Vitamin C content, the leaves are therefore great for colds and other viral infections. In addition, they contain tannins which fight off intestinal parasites such as worms.
The leaf juices are not only good for the body's insides but for its outside too. Some shampoos and hair conditioners contain the extract for its dandruff-fighting characteristics. Used for cleansing the skin, these juices also help to fight acne. They can be applied directly to the skin to treat warts, eczema and sores or cuts too.
There are two ways to make your own papaya leaf juice. You can either press the liquid from the crushed leaves or you can boil dried leaves in water and let it simmer until the liquid is reduced by about half. Then simply strain off the liquid and keep it in the refrigerator. It will last for a couple of days. The juice tastes quite bitter so you might want to mix it with fruit juice. You shouldn't use the juice if it's become cloudy and since it can induce miscarriage, you should also avoid it if you're pregnant. If you don't have your own tree, you can buy the leaves online or from some health shops.
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