Uses of Carica papaya L.

image of CARICA

Note: The traditional knowledge examples given below are just an indicative/illustrative sample. Herbal practices similar to the ones given below may also have been received from other people from same/ different parts of the country.

Uses from NIF Database


Toothache

Keep cotton dipped in the latex of the stem on the aching tooth- Mangeram Jani, Hissar, Haryana

Jaundice

Take the curry made from the unripe fruit orally- Doli Sharma and Kirti Sharma, Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh

Stomach disorder

Eat the ripe fruit for relief- Dimple Sharma, Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh

Constipation

Take fruit to get relief- Leelamani Devarajan, Idukki, Kerala

Intestinal worms

Take the dry seed powder orally- Shabnam Kumari, Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh

Take fresh latex mixed with honey orally

Prabhat Kumar Pandey, East Champaran, Bihar

Stone

Take the root powder orally along with water on an empty stomach- Shripal Singh, Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh

Lactogogue

Eat the ripe fruit- Kalia Behera, Bargarh, Orissa

Cuts & wounds

Apply the leaf paste topically- Jongam Ngemu, Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh

Ringworm

Apply the milky latex on the affected area- Mukesh Kumar, East Champaran, Bihar
Apply small fruit pieces topically- Marykutty Thomas, Idukki, Kerala

Uses described in Literature

Decoction of the flower is used as cardiotonic62; bark powder is applied externally on wounds63; decoction of the bark is given orally to get rid of intestinal worms64; beverage of the fruit is taken orally to cure diarrhoea65. Natural moisturizers and creams6 are prepared from Carica in combination with other plants. Thirty patents were found on its medicinal uses as an antiallergic67 and for prevention of cancer68.