Papaya Leaf

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Botanical: Carica papaya

Family: Caricaceae (papaya)

Other common names:  Papaw, Mamao, Paw-Paw, Tree Melon, Gandul, Fan Kua

Papaya Leaf has been used as an aid for stomach ailments, due to its enzyme content. Papaya Leaf especially aids in the digestion of proteins, but also helps to digest carbohydrates and fats.  Papaya Leaf also shows promise as a way to combat ulcers.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Viable Herbal Solutions is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History and Uses:
If you can't get through a day without popping an antacid (or two or three), Papaya is the herb for you.  Papaya Leaf contains a substance called papain, which is chemically similar to pepsin, an enzyme that helps digest protein in the body, and 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, however, can be taken freely without any fear of rebounding.  Papaya provides us with many benefits:

It aids in the breakdown and metabolism of protein, exhibits anti-ulcer activity and helps

to 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, and they are said to be more effective than naturally- occurring proteases like pepsin and trypsin.  Since stomach ailments are often the direct result of indigestion, Papaya Leaf may help prevent and remedy these by increasing digestive processes, as the digestive properties of papain are well established.  Recently,

a Taiwanese research team found that animals pretreated with Papaya Leaf were significantly more resistant to stress-induced ulcers than untreated animals. Papaya Leaf's tendency to reduce acid secretion could account for these effects.

Ingredients: 100% Papaya Leaf Botanical Powder - Our products contain 100% pure plant-based/natural materials using no fillers, grains, yeast, sugars, binders, excipients, starches, or synthetic materials.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
People who take blood medication (Sulfinpyrazone) or blood thinning medication (Coumadin, aspirin, etc.) should consult with their physicians before taking this herb, as it may have anticoagulant properties. Pregnant women should avoid Papaya, as it can be a uterine stimulant (papain apparently dissolves a protein(s) responsible for adhering the newly fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus).  Papaya in all its forms should never be taken by people with a latex allergy (causing anaphylactic shock).  Inhaling Papaya powder (high in the enzymes, papain and chymopapain, can induce allergies. Although papain digests carbohydrates, potato protein may cause papain to not work as well.

Capsule Information:
Our Papaya Leaf supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules. (click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.