Health benefits of papaya : introduction
In tropical countries, the humble and common papaya trees are everywhere. Papaya trees are very easy to grow and very hardy. This humble papaya is a powerful defence against cancer and has effective curative and healing properties. The health benefits of papaya are now better known; thanks to the internet. Another name for papaya is paw paw.
Health benefits of papaya : papain
Papaya contains the enzyme papain which is similar to the protein digesting enzymes produced by the pancreas. These protein digesting enzymes can dissolve the protein coating that forms around cancer cells and help the immune system to destroy them more easily. Another enzyme present in the papaya is chymopapain. Both are powerful proteolytic enzymes which help to break down protein from food into amino acid which can be recombined to produce protein useable by humans. Proteolytic enzymes can destroy the defense shields of viruses, tumors, allergens, yeasts, and various forms of fungus. Once these shields are destroyed, it will be easy for our natural immune system to destroy the alien invaders. These enzymes also protect the body from inflammation and help heal burns and reduce scars on the skin. Whenever I have cuts or bruises on my skin, I eat lots of papaya. Papaya really speeds up the healing process.
Without adequate enzymes to ensure sufficient amino acid will result in an increase in undigested protein. This will burden the immune system as it treats this undigested protein as alien invaders, indirectly weakening the immune system to fight the real culprits. Insufficient amino acid will also lead to accumulation of bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Older people produce less of the enzymes needed to effectively digest proteins into amino acid. As such elderly people should also eat lots of papaya to stay healthy.
Health benefits of papaya : fibrin
Another substance found in papaya is fibrin which reduces the risk of blood clots and improves the quality of blood cells, and maintains the smooth flow of blood in the circulatory system. Fibrin can also prevent stroke. Proteolytic enzymes containing fibrin are helpful for those who sit for long hours, reducing the risk of blood clots in legs. People taking long plane journey and those having desk jobs should take plenty of papaya.
Health benefits of papaya : carotenoids
The orange pinkish color of papaya is due to the presence of carotenoids, notably beta carotene and lycopene. These are antioxidants and are effective cancer-fighting agents. Lycopene can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Lycopene induces cancer cell death, increases anti-metastatic activity, and strengthens the protective enzymes.
A research done in China found that the intake of green tea and foods rich in lycopene provide protection against prostate cancer.
Health benefits of papaya : isothiocyanate
A compound called isothiocyanate is also found in papaya. This compound is found to be able to inhibit both the formation and development of cancer cells. In animal experiments, isothiocyanates were found effective against cancers of the breast, lung, colon, pancreas and prostate; as well as leukemia.
Other health benefits of papaya
Other health benefits of papaya :
- Papayas are rich in anti-oxidant nutrients namely carotenes, lycopenes, vitamins C, E and A and flavonoids. Papayas also contain the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid, and the minerals potassium and magnesium, and fiber. All these promote a healthy cardiovascular system and also protect against the risk of cancer. They also help to maintain a healthy immune system, preventing recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.
- Papayas being rich in fiber is able to lower high cholesterol levels. The fiber is also able to bind the cancer-causing toxins in the colon and keep them away from the healthy colon cells, thus reducing the risk of colon cancer.
Papaya seeds : more potent
The seeds of papaya may be more potent.
The papaya seeds are very pungent and peppery, making them almost unpalatable. However the seeds seem to have more potent medicinal values than the flesh.
- Papaya seeds have antibacterial properties and are effective against E.coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus infections.
- Papaya seeds may protect the kidneys from toxin-induced kidney failure.
- Papaya seeds can eliminate intestinal parasites.
- Papaya seeds help detoxify the liver.
Papaya seeds : cure for piles and thyphoid fever
Papaya seeds may cure piles.
I have known people consuming papaya seeds to cure pile problems. They blend the seeds together with the flesh, add a bit of water, and drink the mixture. It is actually very pungent and very unpalatable . What my friend does is he takes a deep breath and gulp in the mixture while breathing out.. He does this for about 5 gulps for each session. I tried this treatment for a few weeks but not working for me, unfortunately. But as I wrote in many of my articles, not every remedy will cure everyone, not even the approved medical treatments. It may work on you,though.
A reader wrote in the comments section that in Nigeria, papaya seeds with milk is a good cure for thyphoid fever.
Papaya leaves cure dengue fever
The juice from papaya leaves can cure dengue fever.
- Use 2 papaya leaves
- Wash and cut into smaller pieces
- Pound and squeeze the pulp with a filter cloth
- Only 2 tablespoons of juice can be squeezed out
- Two tablespoons per serving once a day
It has a very bitter taste.
DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this article is sourced from the internet, from friends and contacts, and from personal experience. As I cautioned in my article, not every remedy will work on everyone. So is conventional medical treatment. It very much depends on the constituents of the person and the conditions peculiar to that person. Whatever the reasons, this article does not claim the information provided is totally accurate and reliable and will cure everyone. The purpose of this article is merely to inform visitors that there are alternative cures for all ailments.
You are therefore advised to consult your registered medical physicians as a matter of due diligence.
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