The leaves of the papaya plant are useful in the treatment of dengue fever and can also be used for low platelet count or thrombocytopenia, a condition that can cause bleeding.
The flesh of the papaya itself is one of my favourite parts of the fruit as it is so tasty—actually, it is a very important part of some of my smoothies.
I’ve had smoothies with just protein powder and frozen papaya—that is really an awesome power pack of vitamins and minerals. Now, the colour of the papaya fruit itself suggests that it is anti-inflammatory, so it reduces inflammation in your body. It has anti-cancer properties and is loaded with beta carotene, which turns into Vitamin A in your body, and that vitamin is good for your eyesight. Vitamin A is also important for your skin.
Do you have digestive issues? Check papaya.
PAPAYA SEEDS
What I really want to zero-in on though is the papaya seed, which I do eat. When making my smoothies, the seeds are added because they contain antimicrobial elements that kill worms and bad bacteria in your intestine. I am very big on intestinal health and improving how your gut functions. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said all disease begins in the gut, so anything you can do to improve your gut is going to reduce your chance of illnesses. So, gas and bloating, IBS symptoms, constipation issues, SIBO – Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, bad breath, and you know, anything related to intestinal bacteria, liver problems, are going to be helped by the papaya seed, which you really can actually eat.
Papaya seeds are also loaded with enzymes, particularly papain, and that helps to improve digestion of protein. We actually use papaya, the green papaya, in tenderising meat.
With my patients, who have chronic wounds that are loaded with dead flesh, we apply the green papaya to that wound to reduce the dead flesh. We also can use the papaya seeds because that’s where most of the enzymes are located.
Now, the seeds don’t taste very great, so I use a small amount of them in my smoothies. Or sometimes, I just eat them straight and then reward myself with a mouthwatering frozen concoction.
MEN, THAT’S A MYTH
I know there’s a saying by some persons in Jamaica that men shouldn’t eat papaya, and it’s the same reason they say you shouldn’t plant the tree near your house, especially your bedroom. There’s nothing further from the truth. It’s a myth.
Wives, relax; men, stand at attention now: papaya enzymes do not affect your reproductive potency, so please start popping papaya seeds right away. The entire fruit and plant are beneficial for you.
Dr. Orlando Thomas is a certified functional medicine physician.
