The papaya plant (Carica papaya) is well-known for many things, not the least of which are its large, juicy fruits. Often found in fruit tables or made into juice, the papaya fruit offers various health benefits when consumed.

But it’s not just the fruits of the papaya plant that are good for your health. Its seeds, leaves and roots have all been used to make traditional remedies. In fact, papaya leaf juice is said to be an effective remedy for low platelet count caused by dengue fever.

Dengue fever is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes, which act as carriers of the dengue virus. Upon infection, the dengue virus can cause fever, diarrhea (in some cases), bleeding (for severe cases) and thrombocytopenia or low platelet count. Platelets are blood cells that help blood clot. Severe thrombocytopenia can cause uncontrollable bleeding and is fatal if not treated immediately.

The first study to ever focus on the medicinal properties of papaya leaves was published in 2009. Since then, several studies have followed suit and confirmed the ability of papaya leaves to increase platelet count. Here are some notable findings from these studies:

• In 2011, researchers from Pakistan gave papaya leaf extract to a patient suffering from dengue fever twice daily. After five days, the patient’s platelet count more than tripled.
• According to a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, papaya leaf juice can accelerate the increase in platelet count among sufferers of dengue fever.
• In a randomized trial conducted by researchers from the Institute for Medical Research and the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Malaysia, fresh papaya leaf juice considerably increased the platelet count of patients compared with the control.
• In 2016, the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India published findings from two studies which provided further proof of the positive effects of papaya leaf juice on platelet count.

Besides dengue fever, other causes of low platelet count include:

• Anemia
• Autoimmune diseases
• Bacterial infection
• Chemotherapy
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• HIV infection
• Leukemia
• Pregnancy
• Vitamin B12 deficiency

Research suggests that papaya leaf juice is an effective remedy for all these conditions.

Other health benefits of papaya leaf juice

Papaya leaf juice can do more than just treat thrombocytopenia caused by dengue fever. It also provides a host of other health benefits, such as:

• Cleansing the liver – Both the papaya fruit and papaya leaves have potent liver-cleansing properties, which can help prevent diseases like liver cirrhosis.
• Improving digestion – The leaves of the papaya plant contains papain and chymopapain, enzymes that help clean the colon. They can also help prevent constipation.
• Treating ulcers – Papaya leaves have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that make them effective against peptic ulcers.
• Lowering blood sugar levels – Papaya leaves contain compounds that help regulate insulin in the body. Insulin helps keep blood sugar levels low.
• Improving hair and skin – The carpaine in papaya leaves helps clear the skin of acne and fights harmful microorganisms. It also enhances hair growth and prevents balding.

Learn more about papaya leaves and their medicinal uses at Remedies.news.

Sources:

NaturalHealth365.com

MayoClinic.org

Food.NDTV.com