Seven importance of Papaya leaves

Carica papaya - also known simply as papaya or paw paw - is a type of tropical and fruit tree native to Mexico and northern parts of South America.

Today, papaya is one of the most widely cultivated crops in the world. Its fruits, seeds and leaves are often used in a variety of culinary practices and traditional medicine.

Papaya leaf contains unique plant compounds that have demonstrated broad pharmacological potential in test tubes and animal studies.

Although human research is lacking, many papaya leaf preparations, such as teas, extracts, tablets, and juices, are often used to treat disease and promote health in several ways.

Here are 7 emerging benefits and uses of papaya leaf.
1. May promote blood sugar control
Papaya leaf is often used in traditional Mexican medicine as a natural therapy to treat diabetes and improve blood sugar control (5Trusted).

Studies in diabetic mice have shown that papaya leaf extract has potent antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects. This is attributed to the ability of the papaya leaf to protect the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas from damage and premature death (5, 6).

However, there is no scientific evidence to indicate that the same or similar effects can occur in humans.

More research is needed to determine if papaya leaf can be used to help manage high blood sugar levels in humans.

SUMMARY
Papaya leaf is used in traditional medicine practices to treat diabetes and high blood sugar. While animal studies have shown papaya leaf to have a hypoglycemic effect, no human studies support its use for this purpose.


2.It can support the digestive function
the digestive leaves
papaya leaves and extracts are often used as an alternative therapy to attenuate uncomfortable digestive symptoms, such as gas, swelling and stomach burns.Eating foods rich in antioxidants can help relieve oxidative stress and subsequently improve hair growth (12).

The papaya leaf contains several compounds with antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and vitamin E (10Trusted).

Proponents of using papaya leaf to improve hair growth often cite its rich source of antioxidants. However, there is no significant evidence that topical application of papaya leaves can benefit the hair growth process. 3. May treat symptoms related to dengue fever One of the most prominent medicinal benefits of papaya leaf is its potential to treat certain symptoms associated with dengue fever. Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus that can be transmitted to humans and cause flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes (1Trusted Source). Severe cases can also result in reduced platelet levels in the blood. Low platelet levels can contribute to an increased risk of bleeding and are potentially fatal if left untreated (1Trusted Source). While there’s currently no cure for dengue, several treatments are available for managing its symptoms — one of which is papaya leaf. Three human studies that included several hundred people with dengue found that papaya leaf extract significantly increased blood platelet levels (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source). What’s more, the papaya leaf therapy had very few associated side effects and was found to be much more cost effective than conventional treatments. SUMMARY Studies have found that papaya leaf extract can improve blood platelet levels in people with dengue fever. 4. May support hair growth Topical applications of papaya leaf masks and juices are often used to improve hair growth and scalp health, but evidence to support its efficacy for these purposes is extremely limited. Some research suggests that high levels of oxidative stress in the body may contribute to hair loss. Eating antioxidant-rich foods may help alleviate oxidative stress and subsequently improve hair growth (12Trusted Source). Papaya leaf contains several compounds with antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and vitamin E (10Trusted Source). Proponents of using papaya leaf to improve hair growth often cite its rich supply of antioxidants. However, there’s no significant evidence that the topical application of papaya leaves can benefit the hair growth process. Certain types of dandruff are caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Malassezia, which can impede hair growth (13Trusted Source). Papaya leaf has demonstrated antifungal properties in test-tube studies, so it’s often thought to support hair and scalp health by inhibiting the growth of dandruff-causing fungus (14Trusted Source). However, papaya leaf has not been specifically tested against Malassezia, so there’s no guarantee it’ll have beneficial effects. SUMMARY Papaya leaf is often used topically to encourage hair growth and support scalp health, but there’s no scientific evidence to support its use for this purpose. 5. May promote healthy skin Papaya leaf is frequently consumed orally or applied topically as a way to maintain soft, clear, and youthful-looking skin. A protein-dissolving enzyme in papaya leaf called papain can be used topically as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and potentially reduce the occurrence of clogged pores, ingrown hairs, and acne. Moreover, papaya leaf enzymes have been used to promote wound healing, and one study found they minimized the appearance of scar tissue in rabbits (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source). SUMMARY Enzymes in papaya leaf can act as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, prevent acne, and potentially minimize the appearance of scars. 6. May have anticancer properties Papaya leaf has been used in traditional medicine practices to prevent and treat certain types of cancer, but modern research is still lacking. Papaya leaf extract has demonstrated a powerful ability to inhibit the growth of prostate and breast cancer cells in test-tube studies, but neither animal nor human experiments have replicated these results (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source). Although consuming papaya leaves and other antioxidant-rich foods may play a role in cancer prevention, they have not been proven to have any curative abilities (19Trusted Source). SUMMARY Test-tube studies have found that papaya leaf extract inhibits the growth of cancer cells, but human studies are lacking. Safety precautions Although more research is needed to prove many of the purported benefits of papaya leaf, it has a pretty good safety record. 7. May have anti-inflammatory effects Various papaya leaf preparations are frequently used to remedy a broad range of internal and external inflammatory conditions, including skin rashes, muscle aches, and joint pain. Papaya leaf contains various nutrients and plant compounds with potential anti-inflammatory benefits, such as papain, flavonoids, and vitamin E (7Trusted Source, 9, 10Trusted Source). One study found that papaya leaf extract significantly reduced inflammation and swelling in the paws of rats with arthritis (11Trusted Source). Yet, no human studies have confirmed these results. Thus, at this point, scientific evidence is insufficient to determine whether papaya leaf can treat acute or chronic inflammation in humans. SUMMARY Papaya leaf contains compounds with potential anti-inflammatory effects, but no human studies support its ability to treat inflammatory conditions. A 2014 animal study found that papaya leaf had no toxic effects even at very large doses, and human studies have reported very few negative side effects That said, if you’re allergic to papaya, you should not consume papaya leaves in any form. Moreover, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult your healthcare provider prior to consuming any papaya leaf preparations. Although papaya leaf itself is generally considered safe for most people, it’s important that you only choose the highest quality products if you’re purchasing it in supplement form. Nutritional and herbal supplements are not closely regulated in some countries, including the United States. Supplement manufacturers do not have to prove the safety or efficacy of their products before they’re sold. As such, they may contain contaminants or other potentially harmful ingredients that aren’t listed on the label. To avoid any unintended negative consequences, opt for supplements that have been tested for purity by a third-party organization, such as NSF or US Pharmacopoeia. Dosage There’s currently not enough evidence to make precise dosage recommendations for each of the possible uses of papaya leaf. However, taking three doses of up to 1 ounce (30 mL) of papaya leaf extract per day is considered safe and effective for the treatment of dengue fever (21Trusted Source). If you’re unsure how much papaya leaf you should consume, consult a qualified healthcare provider. SUMMARY Papaya leaf is safe for most people to consume, but if you’re not growing it yourself, it’s important to choose the highest quality supplements that have been third-party tested. The bottom line Papaya is one of the most widely cultivated plants in the world, and its fruit, seeds, and leaves are used for a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes. Papaya leaf is often consumed as an extract, tea, or juice and has been found to treat symptoms related to dengue fever. Other common uses include reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar control, supporting skin and hair health, and preventing cancer. However, there’s not enough evidence available to determine whether it’s effective for any of these purposes. Papaya leaf is generally considered safe, but it should be avoided if you’re allergic to it. Always consult your healthcare provider prior to adding any herbal supplements to your health and wellness routine.

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