Botanical Name
Carica papaya Linn.
Family
Caricaceae
Introduction
Latin name: Carica = erroneously thought to have come from catica – karikos – a province in Asia Minor; papaya popai, The papaw belongs to the family Caricaceae. It is classified as Carica papaya. The tree that is called papaw in the United States belongs to the family Annonaceae and is classified as Asimina triloba. Recently it is used in dengue patients to increase platelet count. It originated from Brazil and has fewer Sanskrit names.
Names in Different Indian Languages
- English: Papaya, Papaw
- Hindi: Papaya
- Kannada: Papaya
- Malayalam: Papaya, karmmus
- Sanskrit: Erand-karkati
- Tamil: Pappaali, Pappayi
- Telugu: Bappayi
Synonyms
- Erand-karkati
- Papitaa
- Trandaicarkati
- Talapatri
- Chhatrapatra
- Saptangulpafra
- Ashakhavtksha
- Dugdha
- Pachani
- Mansapachani
- Brahmairandah
Morphology
A tree 7 to 8 m high. Branches – absent. Stalk - straight and rough. Leaves resemble the leaves of castor and have 7 angles. Stalk of leaf is 1 meter in length and hollow. Flowers – homosexual. Fruits – oval, when raw are green and yellow when ripe. Raw fruit oozes latex on cutting. Seeds – numerous and blackish grey.
Distribution & Habitat
Not basically Indian but mainly from South America and Brazil. The Portuguese brought it to India. Papeeta is its Portuguese name; however, it now grows all over India.
Chemical Constituents
- Papain
- Chymopapain
- Alkaloids carpaine
- Pseudocarpaine
Properties
Raw Papaya:
Guna: Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
Rasa: Katu, Tikta
Vipaka: Katu
Veerya: Ushna
Dosha: Pittashamak (ripe papaya), Vata Kaphashamak (raw papaya)
Karma: Vranahara, Krimighna, Jwaraghna, Deepana, Pachana, Keshya, Stomachic, Digestive, Carminative, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Bleeding piles, Haemoptysis, Dysentery, Chronic diarrhea, Emmenagogue, Vermifuge
Srotogamitva
Dosha: Raw papaya – Vata Kaphashamak, Ripe fruit – Pittaghna.
Dhatu: Rasa (Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhoea – latex and seeds are useful).
Mala: Mutra (Dysuria – hot infusion of leaves), Purisha (Worms – latex is useful).
Organs: Heart (Carpene present in the leaves reduces heart rate), Papaya is the best medicine for after effects of colitis.
Special note: If a pregnant woman eats raw papaya, there is a possibility of abortion. (1 part of latex digests 250 times meat easily. On scorpion bite latex is applied locally).
Indications
- Eczema
- Ringworm
- Psoriasis
- Corns
- Warts
- Sloughing wounds
- Carbuncles
- Eschar of burns
- Intestinal worms
Part Used
- Resin
- Leaves
- Fruit
- Seed
Dosage
- Leaf juice: 10-15 ml
- Hot infusion: 4 to 5 gms
- Latex: 6 to 12 ml
- Digestive principle: 1 to 8 gunja (125-625 mgs)
- Powdered seeds: 4 to 8 gunja
Uses
Latex – lekhan. It is used locally in throat disorders, skin diseases, and glandular enlargements. Scorpion bite is treated by local application of latex. In Vata disorders, leaves are tied over the affected area. Oil derived from seeds is useful in paralysis and facial palsy. In filaria, paste of the leaves is applied. Papaya has good digestive properties. One part of latex can easily digest 250 times flesh meat. 3 gunja (375 mgs) of dried latex digests 1/2 liter of milk easily. It is also effective as a deworming agent. Carpene present in the leaves reduces heart rate and relaxation period is increased. Being an expectorant, it is used in cough and asthma. Hot infusion is used in dysuria and fever. Latex and seeds are used in amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea. It is believed that raw papaya causes abortions. To avoid the after effects of colitis, papaya is the best medicine.
Therapeutic Uses
The main component papain solidifies and digests milk. It is mostly found in fruit but also found in the other parts. Besides, there are many other components in the fruit. Latex from fully grown raw fruit is collected, dried, and powdered for medicinal use.