11 Health Benefits of Papaya Leaves With Its Nutritional Value

Hello readers! As our wise forefathers used to say, the gift of nature is ever bountiful! This blog brings you an interesting yet lesser-known topic– the health benefits of papaya leaves! 

Papaya has been a part of our diet for a long time, but did you know the most intriguing aspect of this fruit is that the entire papaya tree, including its leaves, is valuable and has significant therapeutic value? 

You heard right! Papaya leaves were used extensively for treating various illnesses in the Indian subcontinent, and today, due to their nutritional value and health advantages, they’re becoming popular worldwide. Many papaya leaf preparations, like teas, extracts, tablets and juices, are commonly used to treat diseases and promote active fitness in various ways.

So, what is in papaya leaves that makes them so valuable? This blog will provide you with all the information regarding the benefits of papaya leaves and their uses so that you can reap the perks of this secret medicinal warrior. Grab your notepads, and let’s dive into the topic! 

Table Of Contents

• What Makes Papaya Leaves Special?

• 11 Health Benefits of Papaya Leaves

• The Nutritional Content of Papaya Leaves 

• The Final Say

• FAQs

• References 

What Makes Papaya Leaves Special?

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a small and sparsely branched tree which can be easily found in the backyards of many families. It is a fruit, green on the outside and beautiful yellowish-orange inside, and is primarily grown in tropical areas. Christopher Columbus referred to papaya as "The Fruit of Angels" probably because of its sweetness, luscious texture and richness of nutrients.

Despite being an important culinary ingredient, papaya leaves are the most important part of the plant, other than the fruit. It's a storehouse of nutrients and antimicrobial properties. Most people in India use papaya leaf juice to increase platelet count. It is rich in enzymes such as papain and chymopapain, which aid digestion and keep gas and other stomach problems at bay. 

Papaya leaf juice is one of the best drinks to help eliminate toxins. Papaya leaves contain alkaloid compounds, which help eliminate dandruff and prevent hair loss. Papaya leaf tea, extracts, juice, and tablets are often used to treat diseases and improve health. For centuries, the leaf extract has been obtained by crushing the tender young leaves of the Carica papaya plant. 

So, how do papaya leaves benefit our health? Let’s study them one by one. 

Also Read: Papaya In Pregnancy: Good Or Bad?

11 Health Benefits Of Papaya Leaves

Papaya has numerous health benefits and should be a part of your daily routine. Apart from the medicinal benefits, it also improves digestion, enhances the liver and helps your skin get rid of pimples and acne. Some health benefits of papaya leaves include:

1. Treatment Of Dengue Fever

Due to the alarming cases of dengue fever and DHF, people are always concerned about developing it. The dengue virus eventually reduces the body's platelet count so much that people sometimes succumb. This is where papaya does the magic. 

Papaya leaves are one of the most effective remedies to increase platelet count in the body, hence treating dengue. Papaya leaves contain papain, chymopapain, and cysteine, which may stimulate platelet production from bone marrow. Papaya leaf juice can be given to people afflicted with dengue or DHF to alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery. 

2. Antimalarial Properties

Consuming papaya is also considered beneficial against malaria. Papaya leaves, fruits, seeds and roots have antimalarial properties. In particular, antimalarial compounds like carpaine and flavonoids in papaya leaves can inhibit parasite growth or replication and help eliminate parasites in the blood. 

3. Good For Digestion 

Papaya leaves contain carpaine, which can improve digestion by inhibiting the microorganisms that interfere with digestion. It helps relieve gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. It may also help treat stomach problems or stomach ulcers caused by alcohol. This is one of the most promising papaya benefits.

4. Enhances Liver Function

Sometimes, the cause of liver disease may be hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol levels. Consuming papaya leaf juice can reduce this problem. Papaya leaf juice helps lower cholesterol levels, purifies the blood and protects against liver problems such as jaundice and cirrhosis. This is also one of the notable raw papaya benefits. 

5. Treatment For Cancer

Due to the immune-modulating effects of papaya leaf juice, it may also help fight deadly diseases such as cancer. Its immunomodulatory effects can prevent the growth of cancer and tumour cells in the body. Compounds like lycopene and flavonoids may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, potentially impacting cancer cell growth.

6. Minimise Blood Sugar

Type 2 diabetes is characterised by decreased insulin sensitivity because glucose is not absorbed effectively into cells. Most diabetic patients also suffer secondary complications from fatty liver disease, kidney damage, oxidative stress, and impaired wound healing. 

Papaya leaves are rich in antioxidants and can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Papaya leaves also contain phenolic compounds and papain, which may regulate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

7. Alleviate Menstrual Cramps

All women experience painful menstrual cramps in their lives. Papaya leaves and seeds help relieve these symptoms by reducing uterine contractions. Papain, an enzyme in papaya, promotes the smooth flow of blood from the uterus. It is also suitable for relieving polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS) symptoms. 

8. Boosts Skin Health

One of the most significant benefits of papaya and its leaves is for your skin. Papaya leaves contain various nutrients and act as a complex pack for the skin, keeping the skin clear and clean. It has a moisturising effect and can help prevent dryness and cracking of the skin when applied topically. The antioxidant properties of papaya leaves may help slow down the ageing process. It also promotes wound healing and prevents infection. Papaya leaves are generally beneficial for skin health in all aspects. 

Also Read: The 19 Best Foods to Improve Digestion

9. Promotes Hair Growth

Applying papaya leaf extract to your scalp can help remove excess oil, dirt, and grime from your roots. This is an excellent treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp. The leaf extract balances moisture and oil in the hair.

10. Reduces Body Weight

Papaya leaf juice is high in fibre and low in calories, so it keeps you full for an extended period. Dietary fibre in papaya naturally removes toxins from the body and promotes metabolism, leading to weight loss. Papaya seeds also contribute to weight loss by preventing fat absorption. 

11. Strengthen Immunity 

Papaya leaves contain phenolic compounds, papain and alkaloids that improve the body's immunity. They are a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants that keep you strong. Vitamin C in papaya strengthens immunity and protects against various infections. It also affects wound healing, body tissue growth, and damaged cell regeneration. 

Also Read: Top 10 Foods That Help To Manage Diabetes

The Nutritional Content Of Papaya Leaves

Papaya is a rich source of vitamins A, B, C, E, and  K. Be it papaya fruit, leaves or seeds, all are effective and have excellent health benefits. Papaya nutrition includes antioxidant properties and helps cure various diseases.  Minerals such as phosphorus, iron, potassium, calcium and magnesium are found in large quantities in papaya leaves.

Papaya seeds contain fatty acids and papaya oil. Many studies have shown that the phytonutrient compounds in papaya leaves work synergistically to have powerful antioxidants and immune-boosting effects on the bloodstream. 

The Final Say

Papaya leaves are a hidden gem with many health benefits. From skin health to anti-cancerous effects, papaya leaves are a natural remedy for treating various disorders.

Include papaya leaves in your daily meals, as eating papaya will also help your body digest properly. Use the leaves as juice, tea or tablets and reap the benefits of this age-old anecdote. For more information on health and nutrition-related topics, visit ToneOp!

FAQs

1. Can I drink papaya leaf juice every day? 

Yes, you can take it daily to boost your immunity. 

2. Do papaya leaves increase platelets? 

Yes, papaya leaf extract has been shown to increase ALOX12 (Arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase or platelet-like lipoxygenase) by 15 times. This enzyme increases and stimulates platelet production.

3. How many times should you drink papaya leaves? 

Drinking 25 ml of papaya leaf juice (in water) twice a day successfully treats dengue fever by increasing platelet count and reducing the severity of infection.

References

• Carica papaya L. Leaves: Deciphering Its Antioxidant Bioactives, Biological Activities, Innovative Products, and Safety Aspects - PMC  

• Health Benefits of Papaya Leaves  

• Dengue fever treatment with Carica papaya leaves extracts - PMC  

• Carica papaya L. Leaves: Deciphering Its Antioxidant Bioactives, Biological Activities, Innovative Products, and Safety Aspects - PMC 

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