Papaya Leaves and Seeds to Treat Fever and Other Ailments

Introduction

You may not be a Papaya fan, but if you want to step into the fitness world, then this fruit can be your saviour. This soft, sweet, and vibrant coloured fruit is a powerhouse of nutrients. It is one of the best fruits one can have daily to stay fit. The famous Christopher Columbus refers to papayas as the ‘Fruit of the angels’ because of their deliciousness. 

The papaya plant is scientifically known as the Carica papaya plant. It is currently trending for the management of various types of fevers, especially dengue fever. Interestingly, not only papaya fruit but papaya seeds and leaves also have medicinal properties and can be used to help manage fever and its complications. 

Nutritional Facts of Papaya Leaves and Seeds

The papaya fruit and its seeds and leaves are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants. It contains an abundant amount of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K, and is a potent antioxidant. Papaya leaves are rich in minerals such as phosphorus, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Papaya seeds contain fatty acids and papaya oil.  

Papaya is low in calories and high in fibre; therefore, it can help promote satiety. For example, if you have papaya between meals, it can suppress untimely hunger pangs, which can help in weight loss.  

Health Benefits of Papaya Leaves and Seeds

The entire papaya tree, from its fruit to the leaves, is healthy and has medicinal properties that make it a great option to include in your diet. 

1. Helps in Managing Dengue Fever 

Papaya leaf juice is one of the traditional treatments for dengue fever. Along with allopathic medicines, this traditional medicine works to taper off the body temperature. Dengue fever brings down the blood platelet count; however, papaya leaf extract helps manage this by increasing platelet count. Malaysian studies have proved that papaya leaf extract can contribute to the production of platelets and increase platelet counts. It can also help in the management of dengue complications, such as rashes on the body and haemorrhage¹. During dengue fever, a small glass of papaya juice twice a day can significantly increase the platelet count and reduce the fever. However, it should be used only as a supportive measure alongside standard medical care and not be used to replace medical treatment. Its use should be discussed with a healthcare professional, and platelet count changes must be monitored medically. 

2. Helps Avoid Malarial Infection 

Papaya leaves can help in the management of malaria and dengue fever. The leaves of papaya contain acetogenin and other antiviral compounds that may inhibit some proteins in the virus and help avoid diseases like malaria or dengue². 

3. Helps With Digestion  

Papaya leaves and seeds contain certain compounds, water and fibres that help ease digestive issues like constipation and bloating. Papain and other enzymes in papaya help ease the digestion process by breaking down proteins. The regular intake of papaya can help alleviate many digestive problems such as bloating, constipation, and heartburn and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome³. 

4. May Have Anti-Cancer Properties 

The papaya plant contains many phytochemicals such as lycopene that potentially have anti-carcinogenic properties. It may help avoid cancer cell development and further complications. As per studies, the papaya leaf extract may be useful in the management of colon, breast, and prostate cancer. The papaya extract is also rich in antioxidants that can help protect against cancer-cell activity⁴.  

5. Boosts Immunity 

Papaya leaves contain flavonoids, phenolic compounds, papain, and alkaloids that have antiviral properties and may enhance the body’s immunity. They are a rich source of various vitamins and antioxidants that make you strong. The vitamin C in papaya increases your immunity and can keep you safe from several infections. It also helps in wound healing, digestion, and damaged cell regeneration⁵. 

6. Helps in Diabetes 

Papaya leaves, fruit, and seeds have antioxidant properties and are beneficial for individuals with diabetes as they have anti-diabetic properties and are potentially useful in the healing of diabetes-related wounds. According to some research, the consumption of papaya leaf extract helps to maintain blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol levels due to the presence of dietary fibres in it⁶. 

7. May Help in Weight Loss 

Excessive weight gain increases the risk of diabetes. Papaya leaf juice is low in calories and high in fibre and can keep you full for a long time. The dietary fibres naturally found in it help detoxify your body and increase your metabolism, which can lead to weight loss. Also, papaya seeds may help in reducing fat absorption, thus playing a role in weight loss^6,7. 

8. Ease Menstrual Pain  

Many women experience painful menstrual cramps in their lives. This pain may be caused by the secretion of hormone-like prostaglandins in menstrual blood. Papaya leaf extract helps in decreasing menstrual pain as it has anti-inflammatory effects and decreases prostaglandin levels in women with painful periods⁸.  

9. Good for Heart Health 

Papaya leaves and seeds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They also contain many nutrients like vitamins and minerals. These nutrients together may have potentially beneficial effects like protecting the body against cardiovascular conditions, including stroke and heart attack, reducing high blood pressure, and promoting healthy blood circulation.^7,8 

10. Great for Skin  

One of the great benefits of papaya and its leaves is to the skin. Due to the presence of different nutrients in papaya leaves, they keep your skin clean and clear. Papaya has a moisturising effect and can help you manage dry and cracking skin when applied topically. The antioxidant properties in papaya leaves can help you to slow down the ageing process. They also promote wound healing and help you avoid infection⁹. Papaya leaves are overall beneficial for skin health in all terms.

Also Read: Can You Check Thyroid at Home 

Conclusion

Papaya leaves and seeds are rich in nutrients and natural compounds that may support overall well-being. When used appropriately and with professional medical advice, they can be a beneficial addition to a balanced lifestyle. So if you want to be healthy, don’t forget to add a little bit of papaya to your diet every day. 

Also Read: 11 Surprising Health Benefits Of Coriander Leaves You Should Know

References

1. Sarala N, Paknikar S. Papaya extract to treat dengue: a novel therapeutic option? Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014 May;4(3):320-4. doi: 10.4103/2141-9248.133452. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4071726/  

2. Najar FF, Mandir PV. The potential of papaya leaves in dengue treatment. IJCRT. 2023 Jun;11(6):g377-379. Available from: https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2306735.pdf  

3. Muss C, Mosgoeller W, Endler T. Papaya preparation (Caricol®) in digestive disorders. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2013;34(1):38-46. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236076415_Papaya_preparation_CaricolR_in_digestive_disorders. 

4. Patel S, Rana K, Arya P, Nelson J, Hernandez V, Minakova V. Anticancer Activity of Phytochemicals of the Papaya Plant Assessed: A Narrative Review. J Cancer Prev. 2024 Sep 30;29(3):58-68. doi: 10.15430/JCP.24.020. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11467756/.  

5. Srivastava R, Jaiswal N, Kharkwal H, Dubey NK, Srivastava R. Phytomedical Properties of Carica papaya for Boosting Human Immunity Against Viral Infections. Viruses. 2025 Feb 16;17(2):271. doi: 10.3390/v17020271. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11861161/.  

6. Li H, Beg OU, Rafie AR, Kanwal S, Ovalle-Cisneros A, Faison MO, Siddiqui RA. Characterization of Green and Yellow Papaya (Carica papaya) for Anti-Diabetic Activity in Liver and Myoblast Cells and Wound-Healing Activity in Fibroblast Cells. Nutrients. 2023 Apr 17;15(8):1929. doi: 10.3390/nu15081929. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10142885/.  

7. Santana LF, Inada AC, Espirito Santo BLSD, Filiú WFO, Pott A, Alves FM, Guimarães RCA, Freitas KC, Hiane PA. Nutraceutical Potential of Carica papaya in Metabolic Syndrome. Nutrients. 2019 Jul 16;11(7):1608. doi: 10.3390/nu11071608. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6682863/  

8. Abidah SN, Hadisaputro S, Runjati R, Hidayat ST. Effect of carica papaya l leaf on menstrual pain and prostaglandin level in adolescent with primary dysmenorrhea: a true experiment. Belitung Nursing J. 2017 Jun;3(3):198-204. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331217464_EFFECT_OF_CARICA_PAPAYA_L_LEAF_ON_MENSTRUAL_PAIN_AND_PROSTAGLANDIN_LEVEL_IN_ADOLESCENT_WITH_PRIMARY_DYSMENORRHEA_A_TRUE_EXPERIMENT.  

9. Sharma A, Sharma R, Sharma M, Kumar M, Barbhai MD, Lorenzo JM, Sharma S, Samota MK, Atanassova M, Caruso G, Naushad M, Radha, Chandran D, Prakash P, Hasan M, Rais N, Dey A, Mahato DK, Dhumal S, Singh S, Senapathy M, Rajalingam S, Visvanathan M, Saleena LAK, Mekhemar M. Carica papaya L. Leaves: Deciphering Its Antioxidant Bioactives, Biological Activities, Innovative Products, and Safety Aspects. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022 Jun 9;2022:2451733. doi: 10.1155/2022/2451733. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9203216/  

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof. 

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