If you can't get through a day without popping an antacid (or two or three), this is the herb for you. Papaya (Carica papaya) contains a substance called "papain", which is chemically similar to "pepsin", an enzyme that helps dige...
* 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
If you can't get through a day without popping an antacid (or two or three), this is the herb for you. Papaya (Carica papaya) contains a substance called "papain", which is chemically similar to "pepsin", an enzyme that helps digest protein in the body. It is a safe and natural digestive aid. It's easy enough to buy an over-the-counter alternative, but it is certainly not any better. In fact, in a lot of ways, it is much worse. If you take too many antacids, you run the risk of the "rebound effect," that is, your body will respond by producing even more acid, which will cause even more gastrointestinal problems. Papaya juice or tablets, however, can be taken freely without any fear of rebounding. The fruit is also delicious and very popular in Hawaii.
Papaya provides us with many benefits: it aids in the breakdown and metabolism of protein, exhibits anti-ulcer action, and helps relieve indigestion.
Papaya leaf contains the powerful proteolytic enzymes "papain" and "chymopapain", which digest proteins, small peptides, amides, and esters. Their activity extends to carbohydrate and fat. They are more effective than naturally occurring proteases like "pepsin" and "trypsin". Since stomach ailments are the direct result of indigestion, Papaya may help prevent and remedy these by increasing digestive processes. The digestive properties of papain are well established.
Recently, a Taiwanese research team found that animals pretreated with Papaya were significantly more resistant to stress-induced ulcers than untreated animals. The herb's tendencies to coagulate blood and to reduce acid secretion could account for these effects.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 leaf for each litre of water 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 teaspoons 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 leaves. 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."
