Papaya leaf

Papaya leaf, latex, and fruit contain several digestive enzymes, which account for the herb's action as a digestive aid and its ability to tenderize, that is, predigest meat.  The latex contains the most enzymes, followed by the leaves, and lastly the fruit, though the fruit still contains enough to aid digestion.

DIGESTIVE AID: The most important digestive enzyme in papaya is papain, similar to the human digestive enzyme pepsin, which helps break down proteins.  In fact, papain is sometime called vegetable pepsin.  The herb's other enzymes include one similar to human rennin, which breaks down milk proteins, and another similar topectase, which helps digest starches.

ULCER PREVENTION: One animal study shows papaya exerts a direct effect on the stomach, helping to prevent ulcers.  Two groups of experimental animals were fed high doses of ulcer-reducing aspirin and steroids.  Those fed papaya for six days prior to the ulcer-producing drugs developed significantly fewer ulcers.  This finding suggests papaya may prove of special benefit to arthritis sufferers who take high doses of aspirin and to people with inflammatory conditions who take steroids.

Pregnant women may eat ripe papaya fruit in moderation but should stay away from papaya latex and medicinal doses of the herb's leaves.  It was used in many cultures as a menstruation promoter and labor inducer.  In addition, one study in which papain was administered orally to experimental animals shows that it causes birth defects and fetal death in animals.