Papaya – proven health benefits and uses

The scientific names of papaya include Carica papaya Linn. , Carica hermaphrodita Blanco , Carica mamaja Vellero., Carica vulgaris DC. , Papaya vulgaris A. DC. , Papaya carica Gaertner , Papaya sativa Tussac. ,Carica papaya Karsten, and Carica vulgaris DC.

Papaya is also know as Melon tree, Pawpaw, and Papau.

Other names include

ASSAMESE: Omita.

BENGALI: Pepe.

BURMESE: Thimbaw.

CHINESE: Fan mu gua.

CZECH: Papaja.

ESTONIAN : Harilik papaia, Papaia.

FIJIAN: Oleti.

FRENCH: Papaye, Papayer.

GERMAN: Melonenbaum, Papayabaum.

GUJARATI: Papaiya, Papayi.

HAWAIIAN: He’i, Mikana, Milikana.

HINDI: Papeeta, Papiitaa.

ITALIAN: Papaia.

JAPANESE: Motukuwa, Papaia, Popoo.

KHMER: Ihong, Doeum lahong.

KOREAN: Pa pa ya.

LAOTIAN: Houng.

MALAY: Betek, Betik, Gedang, Kates, Ketalah. Papaya.

MALAYALAM: Karamooza, Omakai, Omakaya.

MARATHI: Papai, Papaya, Popai.

PALAUAN: Babai, Bobai.

POLISH: Melonowiec właściwy, Papaja.

PORTUGUESE: Ababaia, Mamao, Papaia, Fruto de Mamoeiro, Papaeira.

PUNJABI: Katcha pepita.

RUSSIAN: Papaia.

SAMOAN: Esi.

SPANISH: Fruta bomba, Lechosa, Melon de arbol, Melon zapote, Papayero, Papayo, Papaya.

SWAHILI: Papai.

THAI: Loko, Malako, Malakor, Ma kuai thet, Sa kui se.

TONGAN: Lesi, Lesi fefine

URDU: Papiitaa, Pappeeta.

VIETNAMESE: Du du.

Papaya is a small, erect,, usually unbranched, fast-growing tree growing 3 to 6 meters high. Trunk is soft and grayish, marked with large petiole-scars. Leaves are somewhat rounded in outline, 1 meter broad or less, palmately 7- or 9-lobed, each lobe pinnately incised or lobed. Petioles are stout, hollow, and about 1 meter long. Staminate inflorescence is axillary, pendulous, paniculate, and 1 to 1.5 meters long. Male flowers are in crowded clusters, straw-colored, and fragrant. Corolla tube is slender, about 2 centimeters long. Female flowers are in short, axillary spikes or racemes, the petals 7 centimeters long or less. Fruit is indehiscent, subglobose, obovoid or oblong-cylindric, 5 to 30 centimeters long, fleshy and yellowish or yellow-orange when ripe, containing numerous black seeds which are embedded in the sweet pulp.Health benefits uses of papaya

Nutrition & constituents

A 100 gm of papaya has 39 calories. It contains about

9.8g Carb (3% RDI)

1.8g Fiber (7% RDI)

.6g Protein (1% RDI)

1094IU Vitamin A (22% RDI)

61.8mg Vitamin C (103% RDI)

.7mg Vitamin E (4% RDI)

2.6mcg Vitamin K (3% RDI)

Thiamin (2% RDI)

Riboflavin (2% RDI)

.3mg Niacin (2% RDI)

38mcg Folate (10% RDI)

.2mg Pantothenic Acid (2% RDI)

24mg Calcium (2% RDI)

10mg Magnesium (2% RDI)

257mg Potassium (7% RDI)

– Contains many biologically active compounds; two important ones are chymopapain and papain, believed to aid digestion; varying in amount in the fruit, latex, leaves and roots.

– Phenolic compounds are higher in male trees than female.

– Leaf, fruit, stem and root yield a proteolytic enzyme, papain (papayotin), phytokinase, malic acid, calcium maleate.

– Fresh latex yield chymopapain.

– Leaves yield carpaine (alkaloid); carposide (glucoside); saccharose, 0.85%; dextrose, 2.6%; levulose, 2.1%; citrates.

– Fruit yields saccharose 0.85%, dextrose 2.6%, levulose 2.1%, mallic acid, pectin, papain, and citrates.

– Seeds yield a volatile oil.

– Study on papain reported it to be a true, soluble, digestive ferment or a mixture of ferments of vegetable origin, with a proteolytic action that is marked in acid, alkaline, and neutral solutions. It has a peculiar softening and disintegrating action on proteids, with a general proteolytic action that is of a genuine digestive ferment. It also has amylolytic action. It is considered to have greater digestive power than either pepsin or pancreatin, and can be used when pepsin is contraindicated or ineffective. Although comparable to trypsin, it does not yield leucin, tryrosin and tryptophan in appreciable quantities.

– Aerial parts polar extracts yielded phytocomponents flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, carbohydrates and triterpenes.

Medicinal properties of papaya

– Considered antirheumatic, emmenagogue, anthelmintic.

– Seeds are considered antiinflammatory, anthelmintic, analgesic, stomachic and antifungal.

– Leaves are used as tonic, stomachic and analgesic.

– Roots considered analgesic, abortifacient.

– Latex considered styptic and vermifuge.

Parts used

Leaves, fruit and latex of trunk.

Nutritional uses

– Fruit is a popular breakfast item. Lemon juice is often squeezed over the flesh.

– Makes an excellent ingredient for fruit salad.

– Used in making jams.

– Green fruit used in making achara (pickles).

– The unripe fruit is essential ingredient for tinola, a popular native soup.

– Leaves are sometimes used with soap or as a soap substitute for washing clothes.

– Source of calcium, iron; good source of vitamins A and B; excellent source of vit C.

Traditional folklore medicinal uses of papaya tree 

– In the Philippines, bruised papaya leaves are used as a poultice for rheumatism.

– Decoction of the center part of the roots is used as a digestive and tonic, and used to cure dyspepsia.

– Roots are used for yaws and piles.

– In the Gold Coast, roots are used as abortifacient.

– Decoction of leaves used for asthma.

– Leaves used as heart tonic and febrifuge.

– Debridement (removal of purulent exudate and blood clots from wound and ulcer): Apply latex (dagta) of unripe fruit or trunk on the wound or ulcer.

– Ripe fruit eaten for laxative effect. Eat ripe fruit liberally. (May cause harmless yellowing of the skin, specially palms and soles but not the eyes.) Green fruit is also used as laxative and diuretic.

– Ripe fruit also useful for bleeding piles and dyspepsia.

– In India, milky juice from the unripe fruit used splenic and hepatic enlargement.

– Boiled cup of chopped fresh leaves and 1 cup chopped green fruit in glasses of water used for cystitis.

– For acne, mix 3 tablespoons of mashed ripe papaya with a tablespoon of kalamansi juice; apply the mixture to face for 30 minutes, then wash face with warm water.

– For worm infestation, 1 cup of dried seeds, pulverized and mixed with 1 cup of milk or water; 1 teaspoon 2 hours after supper.

– Tea decoction of dried leaves for variety of stomach troubles.

– Decoction of boiled flowers or powdered seeds promote menstruation.

– Infusion of male flowers (left insert) with honey used for cough, hoarseness, bronchitis, laryngitis and tracheitis: a spoonful every hour.

– Poultice of roots used for centipede bites.

– Leaves used as vermifuge.

– In the West Indies, powdered seeds used as vermifuge.

– Infusion of flowers used as emmenagogue, pectoral and febrifuge.

– In India and Sri Lanka, green papaya is used as contraceptive and abortifacient.

– In Ayurveda, used as haemostatic.

– In southern Nigeria, aqueous extract of unripe papaya taken by sickle cell patients for its “antisickling” activity.

– Papain used for gastric juice deficiency, dyspepsia, intestinal irritation, in doses of 1 to 5 grains. Used in solution to dissolve fibrinous membranes in croup and diphtheria. Applied to ulcers and fissures of the tongue. In pigment form prepared with borax and water, used to remove warts, corns, or other horny excrescences of the skin. Papain also used as anthelmintic; also used for warts, epithelioma and tubercles.

– In India and among the Malays, milky juice is applied to the uteri to induce abortion.

– Latex used as styptic and vermifuge.

Other uses

– Meat tenderizer: Mix the peelings of the unripe fruit or latex with raw meat before cooking. The enzyme “papain” is a main ingredient in commercial meat tenderizers.

– Papain is also the main ingredient of an ointment popularly used as a topical application for cuts, rashes, stings and burns.

– Food: Eat unripe or ripe fruit.

– Cosmetics: Ripe fruit used as cosmetic; pulp used as skin soap. Juice of fruit pulp used for freckles caused by the sun.

– Young leaves of papaya are sometimes steamed and eaten like spinach.

– Seeds are edible, sharp and spicy.

Dengue
· Raw papaya leaf juice: The use of raw papaya leaf juice in patients with dengue – two leaves, cleaned, pounded and squeezed our of a cloth for a two tablespoonfuls serving, once a day. Reports of improvement in the decreased platelet counts –some are rather dramatic – are attributed to the use of the papaya leaf juice. Bioactive chemicals reported in the leaf are: carpaine, carposide, dehydrocarpaine, flavonols, pseudocarpaine and tannins. Other than a Nigerian folkloric use of the aqueous extract of the unripe papaya for its “anti-sickling” effect, a search failed to show any study on Carica papaya’s effect on the platelet pathway.

· Preparation of Leaf Juice: A pilot study (Sri Lankan Family Physician, 2008, 29, 17-19) describes the preparation of the papaya leaf extract: Crush two (2) tender, fresh papaya leaves (not too young, not too mature, using only the leafy part and discarding the stalks) and squeezing the juice by hand, and the juice drunk without dilution.

Scientific proven evidence based health benefits and uses of papaya

Phytochemicals / Unripe Pulp:

A study of phytochemical analysis of the mature unripe pulp of C papaya yielded minerals in considerable quantities and the presence of saponins and cardenolides that explains its astringent therapeutic uses.

• Toxicity study:

A study to evaluate the toxicity of aqueous extract of unripe papaya, consumed for its anti-sickling effect by some sickle cell patients, showed no adverse effects or evidence of toxicity on the organ functions in rats.

• Hypotensive/ lowers blood pressure/ anti-hypertension:

Blood pressure depression by the fruit juice of Carica papaya (L.) in renal and DOCA-induced hypertension in the rat: Study showed significant lowering of mean arterial pressure, more than hydralazine. It concludes that the fruit juice of C papaya contains antihypertensive agent/s which exhibits mainly alpha-adrenoreceptor activity.

Antihemolytic/ Preventing hemolysis/ prevent the rupture or destruction of red blood cells:

Study has shown antihemolytic action of an extract of Carica papaya bark. Possibilities of use in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiencies.

Antioxidant / Antiulcer:

Study of the aqueous extract on alcohol-induced acute damage and the immediate blood oxidative stress level in rats showed that Cp may potentially serve as a good therapeutic agent against gastric ulcer and oxidative stress.

Antiulcerogenic:

Study on the antiulcerogenic activities of Cp extract on aspirin-induced ulcer in rats showed reduced ulcer index, lipid peroxide levels and alkaline phosphatase activity in rats. It suggests Cp may exert gastroprotective effects by free radical scavenging action and presents a therapeutic potential in the treatment of gastric diseases.

Anthelmintic / Jejunal Contraction Modulation :

Study of an ethanol extract of C papaya seeds caused concentration-dependent inhibition of jejunal contraction which was significantly irreversible. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC)is the main bioactive compound responsible for its anthelmintic activity. The results show that papaya seed extract and BITC are capable of weakening the contractile capacity of isolated rabbit jejunum and concludes that the anthelmintic efficacy level may also cause impairment of intestinal functions.

Antisickling Property / Leaves:

Study on the methanolic leaf extracts of Cp showed reduction of hemolysis and protection of erythrocyte membrane stability under osmotic stress conditions. Pretreatment with Cp leaf extract inhibited formation of sickle cells under severe hypoxia. The results indicate the feasibility of Cp as an attractive candidate for Sickle Cell Disease therapy.

• Nephroprotective Property / protects kidney/ Seeds:

Study showed the aqueous seed extract of Cp has nephroprotective effect on carbon tetrachloride renal-injured rats, possibly mediated through any of the phytocomponents through either an antioxidant and/or free radical scavenging mechanism/s.

• Wound Healing Property / Latex:

Study showed the papaya latex formulated in the Carbopol gel, based on hydroxyproline content, wound contraction and epithelialization time, to be effective in the treatment of burns and supports its traditional use.

• Pregnancy Concerns:

A study was done to evaluate the safety of papaya consumption in pregnancy. Ripe papaya consumption showed (1) no significant difference in the number of implantation sites and viable fetuses in papaya fed rats relative to control (2) no fetal or maternal toxicity in all groups (3) No significant contractile effect on uterine smooth muscles. However, crude papaya latex (1) induced spasmodic contraction of the uterine muscles similar to oxytocin and prostaglandin F2a. Results suggest, ripe papaya consumption pose no significant danger during pregnancy. However, unripe or semi-ripe papaya that contains high concentration of latex produces marked uterine contraction and may be unsafe during pregnancy.

• Male Infertility:

Study of the alkaloid extract of Cp seeds prevented ovum fertilization, reduced sperm cell counts, sperm cell degeneration and induced testicular cell lesion, changes that induce reversible male infertility and a potential for a pharmaceutical male contraceptive.

Leaf Extract Acute Toxicity Study:

Acute toxicity study of Carica papaya leaf extract did not cause death or acute adverse effects. However hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC, and total proteins were significantly increased suggesting dehydration.

Dried Seeds / Anthelmintic/ expel parasitic worms :

Study evaluated air-dried papaya seeds on human intestinal parasitosis showed efficacious results without significant side effects.

Hepatoprotective/ protects liver:

Study of Carica papaya fruit extract showed significant dose-dependent hepatoprotection in carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxic rats.

Pawpaw Wine:

Study on wine produced from pawpaw had similar taste and characteristics with natural palm wine. It can be produced for immediate consumption or preserved by refrigeration.

Leaves / Pharmacognostic / Physiochemical / Phytochemical:

Study of papaya leaf showed abundant sphaeraphides and rhomboidal calcium oxalate crystals. Histochemical testing revealed the presence of alkaloids and starch.

Anthelmintic / Latex / Poultry Nematodes:

Study trials concluded the latex of C. papaya (papain) has phamacotherapeutic activities against intestinal nematodes of poultry.

• Acetogenins/ helps fight abnormal cells growth:

Study found that Acetogenins have been isolated from the twigs. Acetogenins are active compounds that modulate ATP production in the mitochondria of specific cells.

Anti-Cancer Effects:

In a study that exposed 10 different types of cancers–including cervix, breast, liver, lung, and pancreas– extract made from dried papaya leaves was reported to slow down tumor growths. While one mechanism suggested apoptosis induction as a mechanism, the extract also boosted the production of key signaling molecules called Th-1 type cytokines. Results suggest a potential therapeutic strategy that uses the immune system to fight cancers and a use for various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Also, the extract showed no toxicity on normal cells.

Wound Healing / Fruit:

Study evaluated an aqueous extract of fruit for wound healing activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using excision and dead space wound models. Extract treated animals showed 77% reduction of wound area controlled to 59% of control. Faster epithelization was noted, with increased hydoxyproline content. Extract showed antimicrobial activity against five organisms tested.

• Reversible Contraception in Male Wistar Rats:

Study investigated the antifertility activity of an ethanol extract of C. papaya seeds. Study results conclude that the seed extract induces reversible male contraception in Wistar rats. The antifertility action was clearly evident on the testicular germinal epithelium of treated male rats.

• Anti-tumor / Immunomodulatory:

Study evaluated the effect of an aqueous-extracted CP leaf fraction on the growth of various tumor cell lines and the anti-tumor effect on human lymphocytes. Results showed significant growth inhibitory activity of the CP extract on tumor cell lines. In PBMC, IL-2 and IL-4 production was decreased, with increased cytotoxicity of activated PBMC against K562. Results showed the extract can mediate a Th1 type shift in human immune system, with a potential use for selected human diseases like cancer and allergic disorders, as well as immunoadjuvant for vaccine therapy.

• Increased Platelet Count / Fresh Leaf Extract:

Study showed fresh C. papaya leaf extract significantly increased the platelet and RBC counts in test groups compared to control. Identification of active constituents is paramount for its potential as medication to boost thrombopoiesis and erythropoiesis in humans and animals where those cell lineages have been compromised.

• Acceleration of Platelet Count Increase in Dengue:

Study investigated the platelet increasing property of leaf juice in patients with dengue fever. In an open-labeled randomized controlled trial of 228 patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), study showed a significant increase in mean platelet count in the intervention group in both DF and DHF patients.

• Salutary Effects of Leaf Extract in Dengue Fever Patients:

Pilot study showed the effects of papaya leaf juice in dengue patients in elevating total WBC counts, platelet counts and recovery without hospital admission. Typically, platelet count drops in dengue after the first three days of fever, gradually increasing after the 7th day or decreasing further along with other clotting facts to develop into the dengue hemorrhagic state. In this study, the platelet count increased in all 12 patients with two doses of papaya leaf juice.

• Platelet Augmentation Activity / Leaf Aqueous Extract:

Study evaluated the effect of C. papaya aqueous leaf extract in increasing platelet count in a cyclophosphamide-induced thrombocytopenic rat model. Results showed increase in platelet count and also a decrease in clotting time in rats. Vinca-alkaloids have been proven effective against anti-platelet macrophages in ITP. Saponins in Panax notoginseng have been shown to reduce platelet adhesion and aggregation, and prevent thrombosis. Papaya leaves yield phytoconstituents like saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids (carpaine, pseudocarpaine, and dehydrocarpaine I and II). The study suggests the phytoconstituents can have bone marrow effects— preventing destruction or enhancing platelet production, prevented platelet destruction in the blood and increase its circulation life.

• Anthelmintic / Latex:

Study evaluated the anthelmintic potential of latex of Carica papaya using Pheretima posthuma as test worms. Latex of C. papaya showed significant anthelmintic activity with piperazine citrate as standard anthelmintic drug.

• Hypoglycemic/ lowers blood sugar/ useful in diabetes / Leaves:

Study evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of an aqueous extract of C. papaya leaves in diabetic rats. The leaves exerted a hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect, and also improved the lipid profile in diabetic rats.

• Antimicrobial / Leaves:

Study evaluated various extract of dried and fresh leaves of C. papaya against bacteria and fungi of medical importance. Results showed a very significant broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Organic extracts were more effective than aqueous extracts.

• Proximate Analysis / Antioxidant / Antiproliferative:

Study evaluated different parts of C papaya (ripe and unripe, leaves and seed) for proximate analysis, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities. The ripe papaya had the highest antioxidant activity (84.04%, followed by unripe papaya (81.35%), leaves (78.03%), the seeds (75.35%). Phenolic content was leaves > unripe papaya > ripe papaya > seed. Leaves had the highest ascorbic acid and ß-carotene content, while seeds had the highest vitamin E content. On cytotoxicity evaluation, the extract significant inhibited MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines.

• Comparative Hepatoprotective Efficacy / Dried Fruits Vs Vitamin E:

Study of Carica papaya and vitamin E showed significant hepatoprotection against CCl3-iinduced hepatotoxicity, with prevention of hepatic necrosis and fatty degeneration. C. papaya showed more significant changes in ALP than vitamin E.

• Co-Administration with Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs:

Study evaluated the interacting effects of co-administration of C. papaya leaf extract on the hypoglycemic activity of metformin and glimepiride in an animal model. Results showed co-administration of C. papaya with glimepiride or metformin led to significant interactions which affected the hypoglycemic activities of the drugs. Carica papaya extract delayed the onset of hypoglycemic activity of glimepiride and increased the hypoglycemic activity of metformin. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathway of mechanism of interaction.

• Anti-Protozoal against Trypanosoma cruzi:

Study evaluated the in vivo activity of chloroform extract of C. papaya seeds against protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The crude extract of seed yielded three main compounds: oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Results showed the fatty acids identified in the seed extracts reduced the number of parasites from both parasite stages—blood trypomastigote and amastigote (intracellular stage).

• Leaves Extract Capsule Effect on Platelet Count:

Study evaluated the effects of C. papaya extract capsules on dengue fever. The CPC significantly increased the platelet count, maintained the stability of the Hct, accelerated the increase in platelet count and shortened the hospitalization period.

• Alcohol and Anti-Tubercular Hepatotoxicity:

Study justified the use of Carica papaya leaves in the prevention of liver damage induced by alcohol and anti-tubercular drugs.

• Anti-HIV 1 Activity:

Study evaluated the anti-HIV 1 effect of Carica papaya aerial parts polar extracts. Methanol and aqueous extracts of aerial parts showed anti-HIV1 activity—possibly explained by the presence of phytoconstituents as flavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids.

• Caricapinoside / Anti-Sickling Activity:

Study of a methanolic extract of unripe fruit of C. papaya isolated a new antisickling agent 8(2-0-β-D-4, 5-anhydroglucitoyl 1→ 2glucopyranosyl carbonyl) dibenzo [b,e] [1,4] dioxine-2-carboxylic acid, named caricapinoside. Study results suggest ingestion of aqueous extract of unripe C. papaya fruit has no adverse effects, but showed beneficial effects on cellular blood components in sickle cell patients.

Antimutagenic / Rutin:

Study evaluated the antimutagenic and cytotoxic activities of an aqueous solution of C. papaya leaves extract. The extract consisted mainly of polar substances, one of which was rutin. Results showed the extract has low toxicity and an antimutagenic effect; flavonoids, such as rutin, may be involved in the action.

• Antihypertensive / Root Bark:

Study evaluated an ethanolic extract of C. papaya root bark powder for antihypertensive activity in renal artery occluded hypertensive male Wistar rats. Results showed a 100 mg/kg dose was comparable and equipotent to that of Captopril. The effect could be due to its action on the renin-angiotensin system.

Immunostimulant / Antioxidant:

Study evaluated the antioxidant and immunostimulant effects of Carica papaya fruit aqueous extract against acrylamide induced oxidative stress and improvement of immune functions affected by free radicals liberating acrylamide in rats. The CPF aqueous extract significantly increased immune functions (IgG and IgM) while acrylamide decreased it. Results showed acrylamide-induced oxidative stress in rats can be ameliorated by administration of CPF aqueous extract.

• Antidiarrheal / Fruit:.

Study investigated alcoholic and aqueous extracts of fruit of C. papaya for antidiarrheal activity in albino Wistar rats. Results showed dose dependent anti-diarrheal activity in castor oil induced diarrhea and magnesium sulphate induced diarrhea, comparable to standard drug Loperamide.

• Effect on Thrombocyte Count in Dengue / Leaves / A Case Report:

Study investigated the role of Carica papaya leaves in Dengue Fever. Toxicity study (acute, sub-acute, and chronic toxicity) on Sprague Dawley rats showed leaf juice was safe for oral consumption. In a study on a 45-year old man showed a dramatic increase in thrombocyte count from 28,000 to 1138,000 within 5 days of administration. The report was supported by another study in which the PTAFR gene, which is known to be responsible for increased platelet production and aggregation, increased 13.42-folds among patients who consumed papaya juice. Besides increasing thrombocyte count, the anti-hemolytic action of leaves could have potential therapeutic benefit.

Storage tips

Papayas will ripen once picked. If purchasing a hard, green papaya, it will ripen in the course of the following week. Wrapping the fruit in newspaper or putting it in a brown paper bag with a banana will hasten this process.

At room temperature, ripe papayas will keep for approximately 3 days. Eventually, the fruit decomposes, which is evident by developing mushy exterior and white mold.

To extend the life of ripe papaya, cut it in half and cover in plastic wrap—the fruit will keep for a week or so. Many stores sell halved papayas for precisely this reason, as they can sell what would otherwise be overripe, spoiled fruit if kept whole.

It is possible to freeze papayas. Simply cut the fruit into chunks, scatter on a paper-lined cookie tray, freeze, and then transfer the frozen cubes in a freezer bag.

Papaya Recipe Ideas and Uses:

  • Add papaya to salsa recipes.
  • Make a Thai salad by combining ripe papaya chunks with shredded carrots, red bell pepper, raw mango (or banana flower), mint, and peanuts. Combine with a dressing made from coconut oil, peanut butter, ginger, garlic soy sauce and lemon juice. This combination works for finely shredded raw papaya as well.
  • Add fresh papaya slices to spring rolls, along with vermicelli, mint, basil, shredded carrot, julienned cucumbers and ground peanuts.
  • Make a papaya avocado salad by chopping papaya into small cubes, adding diced avocados, limejuice, chopped cashews, mango, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Make a thick papaya shake by pureeing papaya and leaving it to sit in the freezer until it’s near frozen. Remove, and blend the puree with strawberries and frozen bananas. Include coconut milk and sugar if desired.
  • Add mashed papaya to baking recipes, such as breads and cupcakes.
  • Create a punch from blending papaya, coconut jelly pulp and mango. Add orange or pineapple juice, lime juice, and water.

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