Many people enjoy pawpaw. But are you aware of the incredible benefits of pawpaw leaves? From ancient times to our modern days, we have known that plants contain medicinal substances that one can use in times of ill-health, and pawpaw leaves are no exception.

Key Points:

Pawpaw leaves are rich in nutrients that provide numerous health benefits.
Taking pawpaw leaf juice helps promote internal healing, treats malaria, decreases menstrual cramps, reduces your risk of having heart disease, promotes hair growth, and improves your body’s immune system.
Pawpaw leaves do not have any harmful effects, but overindulgence may cause stomach upset, wheezing, congestion in the nose, and uterine contraction.

Pawpaw (Carica papaya) is a tropical fruit-bearing tree native to Mexico and northern South America. It is also often known as papaya or pawpaw. Currently, pawpaw is one of the most extensively grown crops worldwide. Many culinary and traditional medicinal methods make use of the pawpaw fruit, seeds, and leaves for various purposes.

There is a wide pharmacological potential for the special plant chemicals found in pawpaw leaves. Pawpaw leaf extract contains a wide range of chemicals, including flavonoids and other plant phenols, alkaloids such as carpaine, anthraquinone, saponins, and cardiac glycosides like carposide and tannins.

Pawpaw leaves can be prepared and consumed in the form of:

Teas.
Extracts.
Pills.
Juices.

The uses and health benefits of pawpaw leaves

The benefits of pawpaw leaves come from the strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties they have. Here are the benefits of pawpaw leaves:

1. Dengue fever

One of the most successful treatments for dengue fever is pawpaw leaf juice. This is an ancient remedy that, when used in conjunction with allopathic medications, works amazingly well to lower body temperature.

Dengue can be contracted from a virus spread by mosquitoes that can produce flu-like symptoms like fever, exhaustion, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.

Although there is presently no cure for dengue, there are a number of treatments that can be used to manage its symptoms; pawpaw leaves are one of them. Decreased platelet counts in the blood are another consequence of severe dengue fever, and recent research has shown that the extraction of pawpaw leaves enhances platelet formation and counts and has the capacity to keep the red blood cell membrane stable.

Additionally, pawpaw leaves are beneficial in stopping dengue complications, including body rashes and hemorrhages. A modest glass of papaya juice twice a day can help lower fever and considerably raise platelet counts during dengue fever.

2. Works as an antimalarial

The benefits of pawpaw leaves go beyond treating dengue fever. The consumption of pawpaw leaves is a terrific way to ward off malaria. Acetogenin, a substance found in pawpaw leaves, guards against illnesses including dengue and malaria.

3. Promotes digestion

Nothing beats the feeling of good digestion after a meal. The benefits of pawpaw leaves, even their seeds in our guts, in food digestion, are linked to their high content of water and fibre. By breaking down the proteins, the papain enzyme found in pawpaw facilitates easy digestion. Constipation and indigestion are only two of the digestive issues that can be avoided with a regular glass of pawpaw leaf juice.

4. Prevents cancer

The anti-cancer effects of lycopene are found in pawpaw leaves. It stops the growth of cancer cells and any unforeseen health problems. According to research, pawpaw leaf extract can help treat prostate and colon cancer. Additionally, pawpaw leaves are abundant in antioxidants and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

5. Increases immunity

Papain, alkaloids, and phenolic chemicals found in pawpaw leaves strengthen our body’s defences against illness. They are a great source of different vitamins and antioxidants, which strengthen the body system. Pawpaw is high in vitamin C, which boosts immunity and protects against multiple infections.

The leaves also affect the regeneration of damaged cells, the healing of wounds, the formation of bodily tissue, and a protective function against haemolysis. Eating a bowl of freshly chopped pawpaw every day promotes overall wellness.

6. Helps with diabetic treatment

Pawpaw leaf extract has been shown to have strong antioxidant and blood-sugar-lowering properties in studies conducted on diabetic mice. This means that pawpaw leaves can help the system of diabetics become less sugar-sensitive.

These benefits of pawpaw leaves for both humans and mice are explained by the pawpaw leaves’ capacity to shield the pancreatic insulin-producing cells from harm and early demise. Consuming pawpaw leaf extract also reduces cholesterol and helps to control blood sugar levels due to its dietary fibre contents.

7. Supports weight loss

Pawpaw leaf juice has a lot of fibre and few calories, so it fills you up for a long time. It’s naturally occurring dietary fibres that cleanses your body and speeds up your metabolism, which helps you lose weight. Pawpaw seeds also play a unique role in preventing the absorption of fat throughout the weight reduction process.

8. Reduces the pain associated with menstruation

Some women experience excruciating cramps during their menstrual cycle. Consuming pawpaw leaves will lessen uterine contractions, which helps to alleviate unpleasant symptoms. Papain, an enzyme found in pawpaw leaves, facilitates the easy exit of blood from the uterus. It is also quite effective in reducing the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Women should not overlook the benefits of pawpaw leaves, especially in the case of reducing menstrual pain.

9. Beneficial for heart health

Pawpaw leaves contain several antioxidants and vitamins that lower your chance of heart disease and maintain heart health. Pawpaw leaves contain potassium and vitamin C, which maintain healthy blood circulation and unclogged arteries.

10. Wonderful for skin

The skin benefits greatly from pawpaw and its leaves. Pawpaw leaves act as a combination pack on the skin and keeps it clear and clean because they contain a variety of nutrients. When pawpaw leaves are used topically:

It has a moisturizing effect.
It helps stop dry and cracked skin.
Slows down the aging process with the help of pawpaw leaves’ antioxidant capabilities.
It also inhibits infection and speeds up the healing of wounds.
Pawpaw leaves have several positive effects on skin health overall, often when applied topically or taken internally to keep skin smooth, clean, and youthful-looking.
Papain, an enzyme found in pawpaw leaves that breaks down proteins, can be applied topically as an exfoliant to get rid of dead skin cells and possibly lessen the appearance of acne, ingrown hairs, and clogged pores.
Pawpaw leaves contain enzymes that accelerate wound healing, and they can reduce the presence of scar tissue.

11. Anti-inflammatory properties

The numerous benefits of pawpaw leaves extend to external and internal inflammatory disorders in the form of skin rashes, aches in the muscles, and discomfort in the joints. These inflammatory conditions are commonly treated with various pawpaw leaf formulations.

The use of pawpaw leaves in treating inflamed muscles hinges on the variety of minerals and plant components, such as papain, flavonoids, and vitamin E, which have the ability to reduce inflammation.

12. Could encourage hair growth

Pawpaw leaf masks and juices are frequently applied topically to promote healthy scalp and hair growth. According to some research, hair loss may be influenced by your body’s high oxidative stress levels. Consuming meals high in antioxidants may help reduce oxidative stress, which may therefore enhance hair development. Vitamin E and flavonoids are two of the substances found in pawpaw leaves that have antioxidant qualities.

Pawpaw leaves are commonly believed to promote the health of the hair and scalp by preventing the growth of the fungus that causes dandruff. Also, the antifungal capabilities add to the benefits of pawpaw leaves.

How safe is the use of pawpaw leaves?

Pawpaw leaves’ safety record is generally good. Pawpaw leaves showed no harmful effects, even at very high dosages, according to a study, and very few adverse effects were observed in human investigations. The following are side effects linked to overindulging in pawpaw leaves:

Inflammation of the skin.
An allergic response.
Contractions in the uterus (miscarriage).
Carotenemia (yellowing of the palms and soles; discoloration of the skin)
Upset stomach.
Breathing problems or wheezing, which is a whistling sound made while breathing.
Congestion in the nose.

Nevertheless, you should not eat papaya leaves in any form if you have a pawpaw allergy. Additionally, you should speak with your healthcare professional before taking any pawpaw leaf preparations if you are pregnant or nursing.

How Telemedicine can help

The benefits of pawpaw leaves are many, and that shows the potency of this plant. However, talk to a healthcare professional if you are not sure how much papaya leaf is appropriate for you. Speak with a doctor within minutes on KompleteCare without having to leave the comfort of your home. Telemedicine uses telecommunication devices to communicate with individuals seeking medical advice.

KompleteCare Telemedicine gives you access to any healthcare professional, irrespective of your location. It reduces the amount of time or money you can spend visiting a physical office. It gives you flexibility with the modalities it has adopted; you can reach out to a healthcare professional from the comfort of your home or your work office.

Conclusion

Benefits of pawpaw leaves incorporate their frequent use in treating ailments and boost health in various ways, such as enhancing hair development due to their abundant antioxidant content, raising platelet counts in people with dengue fever, decreasing the chance of developing heart disease, and reducing menstrual pain. Thus, remember to include fresh papaya in your diet on a regular basis to enjoy its many health advantages. If you are not sure pawpaw leaves are good for you, consult a doctor first before you go ahead to add it to your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the benefits of drinking boiled papaya leaves?

Pawpaw leaves can be used to alleviate dengue fever symptoms and are frequently consumed as an extract, tea, or juice. The benefits of pawpaw leaves are attested to in reducing inflammation, enhancing blood sugar regulation, promoting the health of the skin and hair, and avoiding cancer when frequently used.

2. Can we drink papaya leaf water every day?

Pawpaw leaf juice is excellent for general health because it has high concentrations of vitamins A and C as well as many other nutrients. You can safeguard your health by drinking pawpaw leaf water daily.

3. What are the side effects of pawpaw leaves?

It may be safe to use pawpaw leaf extract as medication for up to five days. You may have nausea and vomiting as side effects.

4. How do you take pawpaw leaves?

First, trim the stem off. Next, chop the leaf similarly to how you would chop cabbage, and then put it in the blender along with a little water. All you need to do is blend it to get juice. For the treatment of dengue symptoms, one can consume up to 100 milliliters of papaya leaf juice in three doses during the day.

5. How long does it take for papaya leaves to work?

According to one study, giving pawpaw leaf extract orally was linked to an early increase in platelet count as soon as 24 hours later. The overall white blood count increased noticeably.

6. How long do you boil papaya leaves for tea?

To get the benefits of pawpaw leaves, follow the instructions when boiling pawpaw leaves:

Add pawpaw leaves to a pot.
Add clean water.
Boil until the water loses its colour and becomes less.
The boiling takes ten to fifteen minutes.

7. Can we drink papaya leaf juice on an empty stomach?

There are benefits to drinking pawpaw leaf juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Example, it serve as an immune system booster. This is because pawpaw leaf juice is packed with antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin C which helps fortify the immune system and aid in the body’s defense against illnesses and infections.

8. What are the disadvantages of papaya?

The following are side effects linked to overindulging in papaya:

Inflammation of the skin.
An allergic response.
Contractions in the uterus (miscarriage).
Carotenemia (yellowing of the palms and soles; discoloration of the skin)
Upset stomach.
Breathing problems or wheezing, which is a whistling sound made while breathing.
Congestion in the nose.

Reference

Ali, R. (2021). Papaya leaf tea.

Godwin, E. (2024). How to take care of your heart.

Hill, A. (2020). 7 emerging benefits and uses of papaya leaf.

Okeke, G. O. (2024). Cause of irregular menstruation: Home remedies to regulate your cycle.

Parmar, R. (2024). Papaya leaves and seeds to treat fever and other ailments.

Quora. (n.d). Is papaya leaf juice safe to consume on an empty stomach?

Thomas, L. (n.d). Papaya leaf extract and platelet count.

TimesofIndia. (2021). Papaya leaf juice: Health benefits, how to make and the right way to consume.

Vinmec Healthcare system. (n.d). What are the benefits of papaya leaves?