* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Papaya Carica papaya L.
Family: Caricaceae.
Other Names: Paw paw; papayer (French); Papaya, Melonenbaum (German); papaia (Italian); higo de mastuero (Spanish).
Description: A single-stemmed small tree with a thick, somewhat fleshy trunk and very large, palmately lobed leaves clustered at the top. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. The fruits are large and fleshy, initially green but bright orange upon ripening.
Origin: Tropical America (cultivated throughout the tropics for its edible fruit).
Parts Used: Unripe fruits (Caricae papayae fructus), rarely the young leaves (Caricae papayae folium). The fruits are processed to obtain a latex (papaya-latex, Caricae papayae succus, Papainum crudum, papayotin) from which papain is extracted.
Uses and Properties: The crude latex (papayotin) or the purified proteolytic enzyme (papain) is included in digestive preparations. It is also applied to the skin to clean wounds and in injection therapy in cases of damaged intervertebral cartilage. In the past, the latex has been used to treat intestinal parasites. Raw or purified papain has been employed to treat post-traumatic inflammation, traumatic and post-surgical oedema, swelling and numerous other conditions. High doses (1500 mg papain per day) seem to work in the treatment of oedemas and swellings.
Active Ingredients: Papain is a proteolytic enzyme, which is extracted in crystalline form from the latex papayotin. Papain is 15 times more active than the crude product. In addition to papain, other enzymes are also present in the latex: chymopapain A and B and papaya peptidase A. Roots, leaves and seeds contain glucosinolates; leaves alkaloids and saponins.
Pharmacological Effects: Papain has antibacterial properties but is mainly used for its enzymatic activity. It has proven oedema-reducing effects, but analgesic, anti-inflammatory and numerous other activities have not yet been sufficiently demonstrated. There is some doubt about the efficacy of raw papaya latex or papain in the treatment of intestinal worms.
Notes: Papain is best known as a meat tenderiset and is used to shrinkproof wool and silk and to reduce cloudiness in beer.
Status: Traditional medicine.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
