ABSTRACT
Various parts of papaya, namely, ripe and unripe fruits, seeds, bark, leaves, roots and latex are used by the farmers for treatment of several diseases. In folk medicine, latex is used for the treatment of boils, warts, freckles, abortion, dengue, ringworm, expel roundworms, salt making, relieve asthma, stomach troubles, purgative, treatment for genito-urinary ailments, tumour destroying, making herbal tea, digestive, aid in chronic indigestion, weight loss, obesity, arteriosclerosis, wound dressing, urinary complaint, anti-haemolytic activity, snake bite to remove poison, high blood pressure, blood purifier and weakening of heart, and so on (Table 16.1). If you are a chain smoker or frequently exposed to second-hand smoke, eating vitamin A-rich foods such as papaya should help in keeping your lung healthy and save life (Aravind et al. 2013).
