Ayurveda recommends Papaya
Sonica Krishan
Do you cherish the fruit of Papaya? Ayurveda recommends the fruit of Papaya owing to its varied benefits.
Papaya or ‘Papita’ as locally called has the
Sanskrit name ‘Erandkarkati’. The Latin name of papaya is Carica papaya.
The tall trees of the fruit grow 10 to 25 feet that
bear large oval shaped fruit, which is green in the raw state and yellow when
ripe. The raw papaya contains milk like substance. As for the medicinal
purposes, the fruit, milk, seeds and also the leaves come to use.
Properties
The papaya is light, intense
and rough by nature and hot in potency. The taste is bitter and pungent, while
the after taste is bitter. Chemically, the fruit contains a yellow colored gum
resin, sugars, glycosides, acids primarily citric acid and a digestive enzyme
called ‘Papain’. This enzyme has a unique property to digest proteins and fats.
All the more, there is an abundance of vitamins viz. vitamin A, vitamin B
complex and vitamin C. Some minerals like sodium and potassium supplement the
composition.
Benefits
The fruit of Papaya is a destroyer of the air and phlegm body humors.
This is in accordance to the special properties it sustains. All the more in
the ripe state, papaya also tends to combat an aggravation in the fire humor.
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A Natural tonic: Papaya is a natural source of
a number of vitamins, minerals and digestive enzymes. You need to make it a
regular supplement to your daily diet and feel the energy boost. Not only this,
the fruit could benefit by increasing the blood pressure as well as the blood
sugar levels. This is highly suggestive for those suffering from the symptoms
of fatigue, lack of vigor and occasional loss of sleep.
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Digestive aid: The fruit of papaya contains
some digestive enzymes that benefit by easy absorption and assimilation of
food. Not only do these enzymes stimulate the liver for proper functioning, but also cause
an overall improvement in the digestion and as a result provide an increase in
the health and vitality.
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Diuretic: Papaya diet is advisable in
the urinary disorders in which there is a decrease in the normal flow of urine.
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For women maladies: In case of excessive pain
during menstruation or an irregular or decreased flow during the cycle, papaya
again comes to use. According to Ayurvedic texts, a powder prepared by pounding
the seeds of the fruit is to be taken along with warm water in a dose of half
to one gram. Also, the lactating mothers need to supplement the fruit in their
daily diet regimen. This could result into a better production of milk.
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For local application: The milk from a raw papaya is
a holder of anti-infective and anti-toxic properties. In case of tonsillitis,
the same can be put onto the inflamed tonsils like throat paint. For mouth and
tongue ulcers, try applying the milk on the sores for relief. The seeds and
leaves of papaya are believed to be helpful in decreasing pain and swelling. In
case of joint pains, the leaves are to be warmed and applied as a hot
fomentation onto the affected joints or the seeds can be crushed and mixed into
mustard oil for local massage.