Food
The natural properties of papaya and it healing powers, to aid digestion, to cure intestinal disorder and to cure round worms
Papaya
The papaya has been regarded
as one of the most valuable of tropical fruits. It is large, fleshly, hollow
berry up to 50-60 cm. in diameter and usually weight from 1/2 kg.
to 2kg. it is cylindrical or pear-shaped. The central cavity is surrounded by
hundreds of small seeds, though sometimes seedless varieties of the fruits are
also found.
The fruit has a
thin smooth skin. It is dark green is colour at first, but as the papaya
ripens, it changes to bright yellowish or orange. Inside, the thick juicy flesh has a soft melting quality and
may be yellow or pink. Is has a delicate aroma delicious flavor.
Origin
and distribution
Papaya appears to have originated in southern Mexico and Costa
Rica. It was taken by the Spaniards to Manila in the mid-16th
century
Food
value
Papaya is regarded as a wholesome fruit. The daily requirement
of some of the essential nutrients like proteins, mineral and vitamins can be
met from the fruit. The vitamins C contents in papaya increases as the maturity
progresses. Its carbohydrate content is mainly of invert sugar which is a form
of predigested food
Food
value minerals and vitamins
Moisture 90.8% calcium 17mg
Protein 0.6% Phosphorus 13mg
Fat 0.1% Iron 0.5mg
Minerals 0.5% vitamin C 57mg
Carbohydrates 7.2% vitamin B complex
100%
Natural
benefits and curative properties
The papaya has remarkable medicinal virtues
which were fully recognized even is ancient times. It is not only one of the
most easily digested fruits, but it also aids the digestion of other foods.
Ripe papaya is excellent tonic for growing children, for pregnant woman and
nursing mothers. It is an energy giving food.
Digestive aid
Modern
scientific investigation into the properties the papaya have confirmed many of
the ancient beliefs in its virtues. Digesting enzyme in the milky juice or
latex, which is carried in a network of vessels throughout the plant. The
enzyme isc similar to pepsin in its digestive action and is reputed to be so
powerful that it can digest 200times its own weight in protein. Its effect is
to assist the body’s own enzymes in assimilating the maximum nutritional value
form food to provide energy and body-building materials
Papain in
the raw papaya is highly beneficial in the deficiency of gastric juice, excess
of unhealthy mucus in the stomach, in dyspepsia and intestinal irritation. The
ripe fruit, if eaten regularly, correct habitual constipation, bleeding pile
and chronic diarrhea. The juice of the papaya seeds is also useful in dyspepsia
and bleeding piles and chronic diarrhea. The juice of the papaya seed is also
useful in dyspepsia and bleeding piles.
Round worms
The
digestive enzyme papain in the milk juice of the unripe papaya is powerful
anthelmintic for ( i.e. which has the power to destroy) roundworm. A
tablespoonful of the fresh juice and equal quality of honey should be mixed
with three to four tablespoonful of hot water and taken as a dose by an adult.
This dose should followed two hours later by a dose of 30 to 60 ml of castor
oil mixed in 250- 375ml of luke warn milk. This treatment should be repeated
for two days if necessary. For children of 7 to 10 years, of the above dose
should be given. For children under three years, a teaspoonful is sufficient.
Papaya seeds
are also useful for this purpose, they are rich in a substance called caricin which
is a very effective medicine.
