Papaya

Carica papaya

Edible plant

South American

Photo credit: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen

Safety information

Toxicity: Ripe fruit safe as food. Papain (latex/unripe fruit) is irritant and a known allergen/sensitizer (contact dermatitis, occupational asthma, cross-reacts with latex allergy). Seeds contain benzyl isothiocyanate; high seed/latex intake has reproductive effects in animals.

Contraindications: Pregnancy — avoid unripe/green papaya, latex, and concentrated seed/leaf preparations (uterine contractions); latex/papain allergy; caution in bleeding disorders.

Interactions: Possible additive effect with anticoagulants/antiplatelets; leaf may interact with hypoglycemic/antihypertensive drugs; papain may enhance absorption of co-administered drugs.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid unripe/green papaya, latex, and concentrated seed/leaf preparations in pregnancy (uterine contractions).

Evidence level

Clinical

Supported by clinical trials in humans.

Preparations

ripe fruit fresh; green fruit cooked · ripe fruit

Part used: ripe fruit

Traditional use: food and digestive aid; leaf juice studied for dengue-associated low platelets; seeds folk anthelmintic and fertility regulation; latex/papain proteolytic/digestive; green fruit folk-reputed to affect pregnancy

Proposed mechanism: papain (digestive protease); latex/seed uterine/abortifacient effects; benzyl isothiocyanate in seeds

Evidence:Clinical

leaf juice/extract or decoction · leaves

Part used: leaves

Traditional use: dengue thrombocytopenia

Evidence:Clinical

seeds eaten/ground; latex (source of papain) · seeds

Part used: seeds

Traditional use: anthelmintic, fertility regulation

Dosage note (descriptive only): not for pregnancy

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Indigestion / dyspepsia dengue thrombocytopenia Intestinal worms / parasites

Edibility

Edible parts: Ripe fruit, raw (flesh; seeds removed); green/unripe fruit cooked. Seeds edible in small culinary amounts but have reproductive activity at high intake — not for pregnancy.

Toxic lookalike warning

Do not confuse with North American pawpaw (Asimina triloba, toxic seeds/skin) or toxic 'papaya-like' ornamentals.

Nutritional notes

Ripe fruit rich in vitamin C, provitamin-A carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene), folate, potassium, fiber; contains papain (digestive protease).

Healing traditions

South American

Sources (2)

Papaya consumption is unsafe in pregnancy — rat model, Br J Nutr, 2002
Carica papaya L. Leaf systematic scoping review, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2021

All sources →