Botanical Name: Carica papaya
Common Name:
- English: Papaya, Papaw, Paw Paw
- Ayurvedic: Erand-karkati, Papitaa
- Unani: Papitaa Desi
- Also, known as: Malakor, Pappaali, Pappayi, Papeyaa, Pappiyaa, Melon Tree, Pawpaw, Erandakaakadi, Papaiyu, Papita, Papitaa, Pirangi, Pappaay, Karmaasu, Pappaay, Karumatti, Papaayaa, Papai, Erandakharbujaa, Pappali, Boppayi, Bobbaasi, Paringi, Fafay, Babaya, Pappaiya, Papaya, Thimbaw, Papayer, Papaye, Lapaya, Kapaya, Papailler, Papaye, Papayer, Papaya, Melonenbraum, Papeeta, Gedang, Papaya, Kates, Lhong, Doeum Lahong, Sino-Tibetan, Houng, Papaali, Papaya, Betek, Ketalah, Kepaya, Pepol, Figuera, Del Monte, Fruta, Bomba, Papaya, Papaita, Lechosa, Mpapai, Pappali, Pappayi, Ma Kuai Thet, Malakor, and Loko.
Origin: India / West Indies
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves
General Information:
Carica papaya, is an evergreen, tree-like herb, 2-10 m tall, usually unbranched, has yellow-green leaves and white flowers that turn into sweet, pear-shaped, yellow-orange fruits with many small black edible seeds that taste peppery, containing white latex in all parts. Stem cylindrical, 10-30 cm in diameter, hollow with prominent leaf scars and spongy-fibrous tissue. The long petiole leaves, which may be 30 to 105 cm long and 30 to 60 cm wide, are deeply divided into 5 to 9 main segments, which are further lobed. Both leaves and stems contain large amounts of white, milky latex. Flowers tiny, yellow, funnel-shaped, solitary or clustered in the leaf axils, of 3 types; female flowers 3-5 cm long, large functional pistil, no stamens, ovoid-shaped ovary; male flowers on long hanging panicles, with 10 stamens in 2 rows, gynoecium absent except for a pistillode; hermaphrodite flowers larger than males, 5-carpellate ovary; occurrence depends on the season or age of the tree. Male and female flowers are produced on separate trees. Fruits large, cylindrical, with fleshy orange pulp, hollow berry, thin yellowish skin when ripe, varied. Fruits formed from female flowers are oblong, spherical, pear-shaped; from hermaphrodite flowers, long, obovoid or pyriform. Seeds numerous, small, black, round, covered with gelatinous aril. Fruits and seeds are edible. Ripe papaya is a favorite breakfast and dessert fruit that is available year-round. It can be used to make fruits salads, refreshing drinks, jam, jelly, marmalade, candies and crystallized fruit. Green fruit is pickled or cooked as a vegetable or as a substitute for applesauce. The tree only lives five to six years.
How to use:
Hot Infusion:
The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!
Tips:
- You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
- You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.
Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
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This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.