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
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:
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use the powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered herbs to any superfood, herbal smoothie, sauces, spreads and even cookies. Also for children, you can mix powdered herbs with honey or glycerin to make a paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help the medicine go down. This method is also known as “Electuaries”.
Capsules: Encapsulating your own powdered herb at home, give you an assurance that the contents of the capsules are pure herb and no filler or any other products. These capsules can be taken with liquid.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make the herbal shot.
Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.