Potential of papaya leaf

Papaya Leaves – A Cure For Low Platelet Count?

Papaya. Just the right fruit if you are looking for a glowing, clear skin, a healthy bowel and a strong immune system. However, few of us know that Papaya leaves are packed with health benefits that may help save many a lives by supporting platelet production.

Papaya leaf extract has recently become the subject of several studies owing to its therapeutic value and scientists are intrigued by its potential benefit in supporting blood platelet count.

What Does Reduced Platelet Count Mean?

Platelets are tiny blood cells that have a very important job in your body. Whenever you get a cut or a bruise, platelets rush to the area, club together and form a clot that stops bleeding from the damaged blood vessel.

Thrombocytopenia or a reduced platelet count can decrease the body’s ability to clot blood in case of an injury and can lead to excessive bleeding. Certain viral infections, dengue, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies and chemotherapy can cause a dip in platelets. Some painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines can also affect platelet production. A platelet count of less than 150,000 platelets per microlitre of blood is considered lower than normal.

Conventional treatment includes blood transfusion and medicines to improve platelet count, however recent research has shown promise in the use of papaya leaves in treating this condition.

Have We Found A Cure For Dengue-induced Low Platelet Count?

The Dengue virus affects the bone marrow, the flexible, soft tissue that fills up the hollow insides of our bones. Since platelets are produced in the bone marrow, dengue leads to a decrease in platelet count.

Recent studies have shown that papaya leaves contain complex substances that may support the release and production of platelets by the bone marrow. A breakthrough study by Dr. Sanath Hettige of Srilanka indicates that papaya leaf extract helps to "normalize clotting and repair liver damage caused by dengue".

Dr Hettige’s controlled clinical trials of about 70 dengue patients found that the patients who were given papaya leaf extract recovered fully within two days without hospital admission. In an interview to Srilanka's leading newspaper, The Sunday Observer, Dr. Hettige added that it is important to take papaya leaf juice at the early stages of dengue, before the disease progresses and damages vital organs.

Dr. Hettige is said to have submitted an application for patent rights for the use of papaya leaf extract as a cure for dengue.

Clinical trials done in Malaysia and India have come up with evidence to prove the efficacy of Carica papaya leaf in augmenting platelet count in patients with dengue fever.

In March this year, a Malaysian team comprising researchers from the Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, and the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang, published a paper showing that Carica papaya leaf juice was capable of significantly increasing platelet count in patients with dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Led by Soobitha Subenthiran, the clinical trial covered 228 patients from the dengue ward of the hospital, with half of them administered 50 gm of fresh papaya juice for three consecutive days and the other half receiving standard management.

Blood count

Their blood count was monitored for 48 hours and gene expression studies conducted.

The paper published in Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, an open access journal, showed a significant increase in mean platelet count in the intervention group but not in the control group, 40 hours after the first dose of the juice.

The ALOX 12 and PTAFR genes influencing platelet production and activation were strongly expressed in patients on the juice. Toxicity studies carried out by the team also showed that the juice was safe for human consumption.

A study conducted by a team from the K.M. Kundnani College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, and Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, Chennai, found that Carica papaya leaf extract was capable of increasing the platelet count in rats administered a synthetic agent for low platelet count.

Other Benefits:

Cancer Prevention

Clinical trials have given light to the abilities papaya leaf tea has in reducing the risk of certain cancers. This is because components in the papaya leaf can help inhibit the cellular growth of tumors, and may actually cut off the blood supply to these types of cells. Evidence has shown that the juice from the leaf prevents abnormal cell growth and can interfere with the growth of tumors. In addition, trials are underway which study the use of papaya leaf extract with those undergoing chemotherapy in order to enhance the cancer fighting properties. This is wonderful news for those looking for alternative solutions for these troublesome illnesses.

Relieves Indigestion

Papaya leaf tea is a great method of relief for digestive discomforts and pains. If you are one of many who suffer from common digestive disorders, whether it is IBS or heartburn, you can buy papaya leaf tea to help you work your way back to optimum health. The active component in the papaya leaf tea is comprised of an enzyme called Papain. Papain is found in large quantities in the papaya leaf, and is used to tenderize meat, and it can also help your digestive system break down fibers from meat or wheat, and can aid digestion. As papain works to break down wheat fibers, it has been a great remedy for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Traditionally, the papaya leaf has also been used to treat parasites, ringworm, and new studies show that it can help those suffering from gluten intolerance. Papaya leaf tea also works as a cleanser and pain reliever for the digestive system by using the soothing action of proteolytic enzymes to reduce the inflammation of the stomach lining. This wonderful tea may also be useful in relieving symptoms of ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria within the stomach. Furthermore, this tea has also been used to boost a poor appetite since it can aid metabolism and help induce hunger.

Alleviates Skin Problems

Surprisingly, papaya leaf tea benefits are not only for internal use. It isn’t uncommon for people to use the heated papaya leaf bags as an effective treatment for skin problems as well. Using papaya leaf tea topically can help with a variety of problems such as warts, scars, unwanted freckles, fungal infections on the skin, and even can be used to treat certain skin cancers. This is because the papaya leaf contains a compound known as acetogenins. These compounds are suspected to be able to inhibit the growth of certain tumors and cancers. Since this tea holds many antiviral and antibacterial properties it has the potential to help those who suffer from cold sores or even herpes.

Preparation

To prepare papaya leaf tea steep one bag in a cup of hot water for 3 to 4 minutes or until the desired strength of tea is achieved. If preferred, sweeten this delightful tea with a bit of sugar or honey or add a little slice of lemon for a more zesty taste.

These are only a few of the many benefits to be found in using papaya leaf tea. It is important for those suffering from serious medical conditions or taking heart medications to always see a doctor before beginning any herbal regimen. For those who do not have issues, you can enjoy a natural way to improve digestive health, and it can be used to improve many kinds of skin conditions. Women that are pregnant should avoid papaya leaf tea since it can stimulate the uterus and cause early and unwanted contractions.

When you look for a place to buy papaya leaf tea, it is important that you get a quality product that will use the best ingredients and careful packaging. Buddha Teas is a producer of organic and natural teas, and offers a wide variety of medicinal and soothing herbal ingredients in their teas. You can buy papaya leaf tea from this reputable source, and feel confident that you are getting a properly processed and packaged product.

Papaya tea is not only a tasty treat, but also has many medical qualities. By using a good source to buy your tea, such as Buddha Teas, you are providing yourself with a safe and effective remedy against fever, sore throat, indigestion, skin disorders, bloating, menstrual cramps, intestinal cramps, fungal infection, constipation, and anti-parasitic. The tea can be drunk for its internal medicinal values or it can be used externally on the skin. This tropical plant is one of Mother Nature’s best kept secrets; meant to be used for your own good health.