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CARICACEAE
The Caribbeans used the ripe fruit as a cosmetic. The remarkable complexion of those
people is attributed to the use of the pulp of the ripe fruit as a skin soap. It also removes freckles.
In the Philippines, the bruised papaya leaves are used for rheumatism and the roots for yaws
and piles.* A decoction of the leaves is given for asthma. In East Africa, the root is used as
an anthelmintic and as a remedy for syphilis and gonorrhoea. In West Africa, the young shoot
of the plant is used as a substitute for asparagus and in Ghana, the root is used on yaws and
piles. In Java, the leaf is used for beriberi, the root for kidney and bladder ailments, bark fpr
venereal diseases and the flower for jaundice. In Mauritius, the leaf is smoked for relief from asthma
and for ten de rising meat. In Malaya and Java, the flower is made into a sweetmeat. In tropical
America, the leaf is used for fever, beri-beri and as an anthelmintic. In U.S.A., papain is used
as a medicifle, preparation of pre-cooked foods, shrinking textiles, leather industry, manufacture
of chewing gum, tenderising meat and for "Chill-proofing" beer.
The seed is used as a condiment, carminative, emmenagogue, counter-irritant and
as an abortifacient.
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