BASKETFUL BENEFITS OF PAPAYA

Papaya ( Carica papaya linn) is well known for its exceptional nutritional and medicinal properties throughout the world. From the times immemorial, the whole Pa paya plant including its leaves, seeds, ripe and unripe fruits and their juice is used as a traditional medicine. The fruit has a large oval shape, yellowish - green skin and yellow flesh. Nowadays, Papaya is considered as a Nutraceutical fruit due to its mu lti faceted medicinal properties. The prominent medicinal properties of Papaya include Anti - fertility, Uterotonic, Diuretic, Anti - hypertensive, Hypolipidemic, Anti - helmintic, Wound - healing, Anti - fungal, Anti - bacterial, Anti - tumor and Free radical scavengin g activities. Phytochemically, the whole plant contains enzymes (Papain), carotenoids, alkaloids, monoterpenoids, flavonoids, minerals and vitamins. In the present review article, a humble attempt is made to compile all the strange facts available about th is tasty fruit. This tasty fruit of Papaya is popular among family members of all ages for the delicious dishes derived from it.

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