For centuries, various cultures have claimed that
papaya has anticancer abilities, with stories reporting
remission after consuming papaya tea extract.
Now scientists have shown that papaya leaf tea can fight
tumors cells in the lab, including breast, cervix, liver,
lung, and pancreatic cancers.
Papaya, also known as paw paw, is an excellent source
of dietary fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, and E, and a
variety of antioxidant nutrients.
Medicinally it has been valued for its enzymes, papain
and chymopapain, which help with the digestion of
proteins. But its anticancer properties have gone largely
unexplored by conventional medicine, until now.
Dr. Nam Dang, professor of medicine at the University of
Florida and his colleagues in Japan have recently shown
that papaya leaf tea (extract) has anticancer effects and
at the same time it does not have any harmful or toxic
impact on normal cells, which greatly improves its
chances of being an effective cancer-fighting agent.
Although this study did not specifically look for the
reasons why papaya has this anticancer ability, the
researchers did study one cell line and found that
papaya extract may stimulate cell death (apoptosis).
To arrive at these findings, the scientists explored the
impact of four potencies of papaya leaf tea on 10
different types of cancer cell cultures. After being
exposed to the extract for 24 hours, the researchers
observed that the papaya had slowed the growth in all
ten cancer cell cultures.
The investigators also found that papaya leaf enhances
the manufacture of Th1-type cytokines, molecules that
have a role in regulating the immune system. This finding
offers hope of yet another potential use for papaya in
immune system related conditions.
The results of this study are a stepping stone for
further research into the anticancer abilities of papaya
and its components.
Until more is known
about papayas cancer-fighting properties, everyone
can enjoy this fruit for its excellent vitamin C levels and
digestive enzymes.
Papaya is available year
round in your favorite grocery store. You will also find
it at any Asian market.
A lesser know fact
about
the Papaya is that it's leaves make an excellent cancer
fighting tea.
Papaya Leaf Tea is available at
Whole Foods Market or online:
Celebration Teas Organic Papaya Leaf Tea through
www.taoofherbs.com
SOURCES:
Otsuki N et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2010 Feb
17; 127(3): 760-67
University of Florida, news release Mar. 9, 2010
