1. Description
Carica papaya (also known as the papaya, papaw, pawpaw, Chinese Pinyin: Fan Mu Gua, Simplified Chinese: 番木瓜), is a species of sparsely branched, flowering, fruit bearing tree with sweet-scented flower and large berry fruits known as papaya. The plant is classified in genus Carica in the Caricaceae family, it can grow up to 10 m tall. The Carica papaya flavor is generally described as sweet, juicy, soft and easily digestible. Habitats of Carica papaya include valley, hillside, village margins, roadsides and fields. Native to tropics of the Americas with a cultivation history of over several centuries, the plant is now extensively cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The fruit of Carica papaya is used as stomachic, stomach tonic, galactagogue (a substance that increases milk supply) and antiarthritis in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as indigestion and rheumatoid arthritis.
Other simplified Chinese names for Carica papaya include: 木瓜, 番瓜, 万寿果, 乳瓜, 石瓜, 蓬生果, 万寿匏, 奶匏.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels
The fruit of Carica papaya is considered to have sweet, neutral and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the liver and spleen meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Carica Papaya & Medical Formulas
3.1 Anti-Aging
The widely accepted free-radical theory claimed that inborn process of aging is caused by cumulative oxidative damage to cells by free radicals produced during aerobic respiration. Since free radicals are atoms or molecules with single unpaired electrons and are unstable and highly reactive, they can be neutralized by certain antioxidants. Because papayas is rich in healthy antioxidants named carotenoids, eating papayas can help to slow the aging process and boost metabolism.
3.2 Anti-Cancer
Researchers found that papaya was an effective anti-cancer agent against cervix, breast, liver, lung and pancreas cancers. In particular, the anticancer properties of papaya resist and fight breast cancer and cervical cancer growth notably effectively.
University of Florida researcher and a professor of medicine Nam Dang, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues in Japan have documented papaya’s dramatic anticancer effect by finding out that papaya leaf extract boosts the production of key signaling molecules called Th1-type cytokines which regulates the immune system and enhance papaya’s direct antitumor effect on various cancers (ufl.edu 2010).
3.3 Reduce Inflammation
Chronic and uncontrolled inflammation can be linked to the process of a lot of diseases and health problems, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and even metal problems like depression (clevelandclinic.org 2014). Papaya is one of the major fruits that have high content of carotenoids which can effectively reduce inflammation and thus help to stop many malicious diseases.
3.4 Eliminate Intestinal Worms
[CTM Formula] Powdered unripe papaya is taken orally to help to eliminate intestinal worms.
3.5 Skin Health
[CTM Formula] Powdered unripe papaya is applied externally to treat eczema in infants.
3.6 Low Breast Milk Supply
[CTM Formula] Fresh papaya and garlic chives are cooked and eaten to increase breast milk supply.
3.7 Improve Stomach Function And Digestion
In theories of traditional Chinese medicine, Carica papaya can be eaten raw or cooked to help nourish the stomach and aid digestion.
This is what Carica papaya looks like. (Image source: www.yjbys.com)
List of reference
clevelandclinic.org 2014 Why You Should Pay Attention to Chronic Inflammation [online] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/10/why-you-should-pay-attention-to-chronic-inflammation/
ufl.edu 2010 COM researcher finds cancer-fighting properties in papaya tea [online] link: http://news.drgator.ufl.edu/2010/03/09/uf-researchers-find-cancer-fighting-properties-in-papaya-tea/
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.