Roma, 50, writes from St Catherine. She says many people in her community have caught chik-V and have been using many herbal preparations for relief of symptoms. One very popular herbal preparation that many of her friends have been using is the pawpaw leaf tea. Several of her friends have reported good results in thwarting chik-V symptoms and Roma asks what Lifeline thinks about the use of pawpaw tea as a treatment for chik-V symptoms.

The pawpaw fruit is well utilised at breakfast time in many Jamaican homes. Many individuals have heard of it being good for gastric complaints and have used the pulp of the green pawpaw as a poultice to enhance the healing process in poorly healing leg ulcers. This has even been applied on the dermatology wards in some local hospitals. But what of the pawpaw leaf? What good use can it be put to? The answer may well surprise many people!

Pawpaw (papaya) contains two chemicals (enzymes): papain and carpain. The pawpaw leaf is known to have one of the highest enzyme counts of any plant. Papain breaks down proteins, carbohydrates and fats, therefore, the pawpaw leaf works very well as a meat tenderiser. Carpain is able to kill certain parasites and is thought to affect the nervous system.

Because of papain, pawpaw is used to aid in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach and duodenal ulcers and indigestion, and many health food stores sell the papain extract from the leaves as a digestive aid. This effect is also obtained when papain is taken as pawpaw leaf tea.

The pawpaw leaves, in similar fashion to the green pawpaw fruit, also aid in the healing of skin ulcers when applied to the problem area as a poultice. There is even some evidence that papain from the pawpaw leaf will dissolve tumours, and pawpaw leaf tea has been used as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cancer patients.

The active enzyme carpain is thought to be active in the treatment of intestinal parasite infections and for treating nerve pain. It is also thought to help in treating some causes of elephantiasis (limb swelling occurring after blockage of the lymphatics by parasitic worms).

The pawpaw leaves are also said to be beneficial as follows:

Aids in increasing appetite;

Relieves constipation;

Promotes production of digestive acids and bile;

Reduces acid reflux;

Kills H. Pylori bacteria linked to causing peptic ulcer disease;

Soothes colon inflammation;

Relieves menstrual cramps;

Reduces prostate inflammation;

Expels parasites such as worms;

Promotes gut peristalsis, helping move waste products out of the body;

Yields good results in the treatment of eczema;

Aids in treating acne when used as a daily mask.

Prevents free radical damage to the body;

Combats chemotherapy side effects;

Helps treat low platelet count (thrombocytopenia);

Helps prevent eye cataracts;

Lowers fevers and reduces colds;

Promotes anti-ageing;

Helps gum ailments.

The literature refers to several instances in past years and in primitive cultures where pawpaw leaf tea assisted well in the treatment of dengue fever and malaria. Its use is said to increase the platelet count (cells concerned with blood clotting) in the body and help prevent haemorrhage and to even decrease the incidence of users from contracting malaria.

Pawpaw leaves also contain more vitamin C than the pawpaw fruit. They also contain vitamins A, E, and the B vitamins. The leaves are a source of iron, niacin, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, and beta-carotene.

Recent research is indicating that the pawpaw leaf is showing a lot of promise in treating several cancers such as cervical, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Pawpaw leaves contain acetogenin, a cancer-killing chemical. The pawpaw leaf is also thought to stimulate the immune cells in the body, which kill cancer cells. It has been found to have no toxic effects on human cells, making it a safe, natural adjuvant in the treatment of several cancers.

Pawpaw leaf tea is made by cutting up and boiling 10 pawpaw leaves in half a gallon of water until it boils down to a quart. Cool, then refrigerate. It will remain usable for two to three days if stored in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Pawpaw leaf tea could assist the chikungunya sufferer by lowering nausea, lessening fever and colds, soothing gum ailments, and providing a source of vitamin B. Poor appetite, nausea, bad feelings, and fatigue can be difficult to treat with chik-V, and the pawpaw leaf tea may help with this.

When using pawpaw leaf tea to assist in treatment of illness, a physician should always be consulted first before self-treating. This is especially so if serious health issues such as cancer and other systemic diseases are present.

Write to: Lifeline,

PO Box 1731

KGN 8

AJM