In some parts of Asia, the young leaves of the papaya are steamed and eaten like spinach. Papaya leaves have shown the presence of anti-dengue, anti-plasmodia, anti-cancer, antibacterial, hepatoprotection, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in-vitro and in-vivo studies.
For centuries Carica papaya leaves obtained from papaya tree have been used in the folk medicine to combat dengue fever, because it is considered to be an effective, safe and cheap remedy.
Papaya leaf juice is said to help increase white blood cells and platelets, normalizes clotting, and repairs the liver.
The most prominent therapeutics effect of this herb is its ability to increase platelet count in patient with thrombocytopenia in dengue fever.
Research on papaya leaf tea extract has demonstrated cancer cell growth inhibition. It appears to boost the production of key signaling molecules called Th1-type cytokines, which help regulate the immune system.
The young leaves exhibit a strong scavenging activity and it has been reported that phytochemicals especially plant phenolics constitute a major group of compounds that act as primary antioxidant.
Papaya leaves are made into tea as a treatment for malaria. Antimalarial and antiplasmodial activity has been noted in some preparations of the plant.
Papaya leaves contain alkaloids carpain, pseudocarpain and dehydrocarpaine I and II, choline, carposide, vitamin C and E.
Papaya leaves in herbal medicine
