Papaya is not a tall tree, its height reaches about 5-10 meters, the trunk is thin, the branches devoid of branches, large leaves, about 50 centimeters in diameter, are present only on the top of the plant. The bark of a tree, consisting of strong thick-walled fibers, is very strong, ropes are made from it. The papaya fruit is oval in shape, 30 centimeters long, shaped like a melon, so it is also called a melon tree. The ripened papaya fruit is soft golden yellow. Life expectancy of the tree is about 20 years, fruit begins from the first year to the end of life. Papaya is one of the most important fruit plants in the tropical zone. More than a million people use it in their diet.
The main use of papaya is the use of its fruit for food. It is eaten both raw and stewed. Also, the fruits of papaya are baked on fire. In doing so, they emit a smell of bread, so they call papaya also a bread tree. The fruits of papaya contain vitamins C, B1, B2, B5 and D; Mineral substances: potassium, calcium, chlorine, zinc, magnesium, iron; carbohydrates: fructose and glucose. A special value of the fruit is a plant enzyme - papain. Papain promotes the breakdown of fats and starch, as well as splits proteins in the human stomach. Therefore, papaya is used mainly as a dietary product that promotes digestion.
In folk medicine, papaya juice is used, it contains an enzyme that regenerates the connective tissue of the intervertebral discs, so it is used for osteochondrosis. Also, papaya juice is used as a remedy for worms. Milky juice is obtained from unripe fruits, when it is dried, a medicinal preparation papain is obtained. It is used in the treatment of various gastric diseases. But it should be noted that the milky juice of immature fruit is very toxic, has a white color, and when it ripens it becomes watery and loses its poisonous qualities. Papaya juice is used in cooking when cooking meat, as it can soften very hard meat. And if you wrap old beef meat in papaya leaves for several hours, then it becomes soft and loose after that. Also, to soften the meat, when cooking the roast, it adds pieces of papaya fruit.
The use of papaya fruit in food because of the high content of vitamins A, B, D in it, normalizes the work of the liver, the acidity of the stomach, and normalizes the sugar content in the blood. Papaya contributes to the rapid recovery of the body after the disease. It is especially recommended to include in your diet fruits of papaya to elderly people. Of the fruits of papaya, they make tablets for the treatment of herpes. It is believed that the regular use of papaya fruits helps protect the body from cancer. Papain, obtained from milky juice, is used in the treatment of thromboses. External it is used for rapid healing of burns, wounds, pressure sores. It helps to cleanse wounds from necrotic masses. Creams containing papain are used in dentistry. They are used for the treatment of caries and other diseases of the oral cavity. In addition to medicine, papaya is also used in cosmetology.
Widespread use of papaya oil obtained from fruit seeds. The oil contains a large amount of vitamin A and C, and is also rich in potassium. It is used for toning and moisturizing the skin, while oil easily penetrates the skin. More often, papaya oil is used for oily and problematic skin, as it helps to reduce the production of sebum. Oil acts as an antibiotic, so it can be used for damaged skin. Still oil is used in hair care, as it has conditioning properties and gives shine to the hair. In addition to papaya oil, the enzyme papain is used in cosmetology. Apply ointments and creams containing papain, for the removal of freckles, pigment spots. Papain weakens the grown hair and prevents the growth of new hair, as it helps to destroy keratin. Therefore, papain is used to remove unwanted hair on the body. Use with caution papaya juice, as it can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. As a folk remedy, in India, women used unripe papaya fruits as a contraceptive.
In the food industry, also use papaya, or rather papain. It is used to lighten wines, as well as to give the young wine the taste of aged old wine, for flavoring cheese, for making juices, in confectionery, etc.
When buying fruit, it should be noted that the skin of the papaya fruit is green with a yellow tint. Fruits should be soft, regular, without a pungent odor. Ripe fruit is stored in the refrigerator for about a week, at room temperature no more than two days. The fruits of papaya are not suitable for freezing. Here he is, a papaya fruit, whose useful properties are so important for each of us.