Papaya

Introduction

Papaya known as Erandakarkati in ayurveda is a low calorie juicy fruit rich in vitamin C and A. The fruit as well as other parts of the plant are edible and known to have medicinal properties. In Ayurveda papaya leaves known to inhibit the growth of dengue virus and increase platelets count.

Nutritional profile

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Folate
• Potassium
• Copper
• Vitamin K
• Magnesium

Benefits of Papaya

Papaya for indigestion

Papaya helps in indigestion problems like constipation and bloating. This is due to the presence of chumopapain and papain in papaya. Papaya helps to correct agnimandya because of its deepan and pachan properties.

Papaya improve the immune system

Antioxidants and immunostimulants are found inside papaya which helps in improving the immune system.

Increase platelets

Small calls present in the blood are called platelets. Many types of diseases occur due to their deficiency in blood. Papaya contains basic acid, kavinic acid, carapacein and clitorin which work to increase platelets.

Keep heart healthy

If there is any kind of problems can start in your body also. You can consume papaya to keep your heart healthy.

Beneficial for your skin

Bioflavonoids and antioxidants are found in abundance in it, which along with moisturizing the skin clears pigmentation and reduces wrinkles and improve the skin.

Papaya helps in periods

Such properties are found in papaya which not only helps in keeping the periods cycle regular but also helps in reducing pain during periods. If your periods do not come regularly then you can consume this fruit.

Parasitic infection (Ring worm)

Papaya has anti-parasitic property.  It inhibits the growth of parasitic worm and expels them from the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal parasites known as krimi in ayurveda is due to weak digestive fire. Use of eaw papaya is useful for removing intestinal parasites because papaya has krimighana property.

Papaya for diabetes

Papaya is useful in managing diabetes due to its hypoglycemic and antioxidant property. Extract of papaya leave increase the uptake of glucose and controls blood sugar level.

Papaya for cancer

Papaya may be useful in managing cancer due to the presence of papain, lycopene and isothiocyanate. Papsin and lycopene inhibits the formation of cancer cells.

Disadvantages of papaya

• Avoid eating papaya if you have hypothyroidism
• Avoid taking papaya if you are allergic to papain
• Avoid taking papaya during pregnancy
• Papaya can irritate the stomach- An element called latex is found in the outer skin of papaya which can cause stomach upset.
• Blood sugar can be reduce due to papaya
• Consuming too much papaya can cause allergic reaction, which cause problems like swelling, rashes, headache, and dizziness in the body.
• Consuming papaya in excessive amounts can cause problems like asthma, congestion and breathing problems
• Consuming papaya should be avoided a few days before surgery or a few days after surgery
• Children below one year if age should not consume papaya
• A person suffering from diarrhea is prohibited from consuming papaya
• If you take blood – thinning medicines to avoid eat papaya

Papaya recipes

• Papaya juice
• Papaya shake
• Papaya ice cream
• Papaya jelly
• Papaya sabji
• Papaya jem
• Papaya salad
• Papaya punch
• Papaya parantha
• Papaya halwa
• Papaya cake