Description

The Papaya plant has a hollow, green or purple stem, and can grow 1.8 to 3 m (6 to 10 ft) in a year, eventually reaching heights of 6 to 9 m (20 to 30 ft). The long-petioled (stemmed) leaves, which may be 30 to 105 cm long (1 to 3.5 ft) and 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) wide, are deeply divided into 5 to 9 main segments, which are further lobed. Both leaves and stems contain large amounts of white, milky latex.

Carica Papaya is a giant herbaceous plant in the Caricaceae (Papaya family) that originated in Bharat and is now grown in tropical areas world-wide for its large, sweet, melon-like fruits. The name “papaya” also refers to the fruit of other Carica species, including C. pubescens and C. stipulata, and their various hybrids.

Carica Papaya , which are high in vitamins A and C and calcium, are often used fresh in fruit salads and desserts, as well as prepared in juices and jams or dried. Carica Papaya  produce an enzyme, papain, which aids digestion and is used to tenderize meat. Papain has been used in medicine to treat ulcers and reduce skin adhesions following surgery, and studies have shown that it has antimicrobial properties. Papain is also used to clarify beer, prepare wool and silk for dyeing, and remove hair from hides before tanning, among other uses.

Chemical Constituents and Components

Main chemical components are papain, chymopapain, pectin, carposide, carpaine, pseudocarpaine, dehydrocarpines, carotenoids, cryptoglavine, cis-violaxanthin and antheraxanthin.

Properties

The Papaya fruit is about 88.8% water, 9.8 % carbohydrate, 0.8% fiber, 0.6% protein, 0.6% ash and 0.1% fat. A 100g (3.5 oz.) serving of Papaya has 39 calories, compared to banana's 92 calories. Papayas also contain 16% more vitamin C than oranges and are a good source of vitamin A (about half of that contained in mango).

Uses (Papain)

Carica Papaya Extract has been used widely in folk medicine for many ailments. The juice for warts, corns, cancers, tumors, and thickened skin; the roots or their extracts for cancers of the uterus, syphilis, the tropical infection, hemorrhoids, and to remove mineral concretions in the urine. Carica Papaya Extract is used as a mild laxative or diuretic, and to stimulate lactation, labor, or abortion, rheumatism and alkalinizing the urine.

• It regulates the expression of replicase polyproteins.
  
• It is a strong digestive enzyme and useful in serious digestive disorders such as bloating & chronic indigestion.
  
• Unique ability of Papain is to break down protein and convert a portion of it into arginine because arginine influences the production of the human growth hormone.
  
• It possesses potent spermicidal activity.

Curing Diseases

• It is used in psoriasis, bleeding piles, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly and counter irritant. 
• An infusion of the leaves is used for various urinary complaints, gonorrhea, colic, fever, beriberi, dressing for foul wounds etc.
• It is used to remove skin lesions and improve damaged skin conditions. 
• It is also used in treatments of jellyfish & insect stings.

Research Information

Leaf extract of Carica papaya possesses significant hypoglycemic effect. It decreases the blood sugar level. (Ref. Fakeye, T.O. and et.al., Hypoglycemic effect of Carica papaya leaves, Tropical J. Of Pharmaceutical Research , Mar. 2007;6 (1) 671-678).