Everyone is aware of the health benefits of papaya. But very little is known about the goodness of papaya leaves. It has various medicinal properties and can provide you relief from many deadly diseases. Here are some of the benefits:
* Papaya leaves contain important nutrients such as vitamins A, B1, C and E, calories, protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron and water. Its juice has an important enzyme called papain that aids in digestion by breaking down the proteins naturally.
* Papaya leaf juice contains over 50 active ingredients, including the karpain compounds that inhibit microorganisms such as fungi, worms, parasites, bacteria as well as many forms of cancer cells.
* The papaya leaf juice can help you cure dengue without causing any side-effects. Its juice contains the enzymes chymopapin and papain that boost platelets, also known as thrombocytes. For quick results, doctors recommend taking 20 to 25 ml of this juice twice a day for a week.
* Papaya leaf has been found to possess anti-malarial properties as well. Thus, it is often used as a prophylactic for preventing malaria in certain endemic regions.
* It helps fight viral infections such as the common cold. It is a natural way of regenerating white blood cells and platelets.
* Fresh papaya leaves boiled with sliced pieces of orange aid in burning fat as it is a perfect reducing agent.
* Papaya leaf juice is effective in relieving menstrual pain. For this purpose, take one papaya leaf, add tamarind and salt, mix with a glass of water and boil. Drink this concoction after cooling it, for relief.
(The author is a Koppal-basedconsultant ayurvedic physician)