Papita (Carica papaya; family Caricaceae) as medicinal herb in Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Papita is a rapidly growing small tree that is native to the West Indies and Central America. Now it is under cultivation as fruit crop in different parts of India. For the natives and traditional healers, Papita is not a new plant. The in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about Papita in Chhattisgarh, clearly indicates that this herb is present in the State since time immemorial. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, use all parts of Papita as medicine both internally and externally in treatment of over 35 common and complicated diseases. The ripe fruit are eaten as desert. Although it is old saying that one must not plant this herb in home gardens but in general natives ignore this old saying and plant this herb in home gardens for delicious and medicinal fruit. The milk yielding plants are generally not prescribed for the plantation in home gardens. According to the old sayings, one must not plant this herb but if it grows naturally, it must not be cut. When fruiting is over, the natives believing in this old sayings, fill the Hing (Asafoetida) in stem and destroy the herb completely. In place of this herb, they plant Amla (Emblica officinalis) herb. I am trying my best to find out the scientific reason, behind this old saying. The natives prepare the Herbal Mala using Papita seeds. This Mala is recommended for the children as shield against ill-spirits. The natives use black string for the preparation of Mala. In many parts of Chhattisgarh, the natives use the roots, along with seeds to prepare the Herbal Mala. In this Mala, roots and seeds are used alternatively. In Southern parts of Chhattisgarh, the Mala prepared from seeds are used as treatment of child patients suffering from Sukhandi (Marasmus). This use is not mentioned in reference literatures. I personally feel that there is a strong need for scientific investigation. In Chhattisgarh, Papita is under cultivation as fruit crop. The fruit growers are aware of high yielding varieties and varieties of Taiwan are very popular among the fruit growers. For higher production, these growers use chemical inputs. As other herbs, the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh avoid the use of Papita herb parts collected from these fruit growers. In order to fulfil their requirements, the healers grow the herb in their home gardens. Although Papita is under cultivation in Chhattisgarh, but local markets are still dependent on neighboring states for the supply. The herb growers of Chhattisgarh are conducting several experiments related to Papita based intercropping. They have found the Papita-Aloe vera intercropping very successful. They are also trying it with the wonder crop Safed Musli (Chlorophytum barivilianum). In Papita-Aloe intercropping, the farmers are using no chemicals. They are getting good quality Papita fruits and Aloe gel. In my laboratory experiments, I have observed beneficial allelopathic effects of different parts of Papita on the germination and early seedling vigour of Aloe vera. My studies to evaluate the allelopathic effects of Aloe on Papita are in progress at the farmers field. The Papita-Aloe intercropping is developed by the innovative herb growers of Chhattisgarh. I am proud to write that this intercropping is not in practice in any other part of the world. The experimental findings of these herb growers are saving the expense of long research projects and valuable time. There is a strong need to encourage these herb growers. In reference literatures, the harmful allelopathic effects of leachates and extracts of different parts of Papita on different weed species have been reported. For the organic growers of Chhattisgarh, the leaves of Papita are boon. They use it very frequently in herbal solutions used to repel away the harmful pest from crop fields. It is used in combination with other herbs. The milky latex obtained from green, immature fruits, is a valuable commodity of commerce for its property to digest proteins. Papain the proteolytic enzyme contained in milky latex. It is used extensively in meat industry as tenderizer. It is also used in preparing chewing gum and in textile industry for reducing shrinkage of certain types of wool, in beer industry for clarifying the beer and in tanning industry for bating hides. Papain is also an important ingredient in digestive medicines. Seeing the commercial cultivation of Papita in Chhattisgarh many enterpreuners started Papain extraction plants but they failed to get good quality Papain to compete with international standards. They blamed the excessive rain fall and moist climate of Chhattisgarh, for their failure. In present article, I am describing the results of my ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, but at first I am describing the botany and reported medicinal uses of Papita, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically, Papita is a plant with soft stem, 3-5 meters tall ; leaves palmatifid, lobes variously divided, petioles long and hollow; flowers greenish white or creamy yellow; male flowers in long drooping panicles, stamens 10, 2-seriate, alternatively shorter; female flowers in short clusters, with staminodes; fruits succulant, single celled, oblong, orange yellow when ripe, seeds black. Flowering and fruiting almost throughout the year. As medicine, the leaves, fruits and seeds are used commonly. According to Ayurveda, fruit is tasty, astringent to bowels, aphrodisiac, removes biliousness, and cures insanity. According to Unani system of medicine, Papita fruit is stomachic, appetizer, digestive, carminative, diuretic and cures inflammation, spleen enlargement, removes stones, relieves obesity and useful in treatment of haemoptysis, bleeding piles, wounds of urinary track, skin troubles.

Papita is considered as `Poor man's fruit` in Chhattisgarh. During fevers and stomach related troubles, the traditional healers instruct the patients to take it regularly along with other treatment. It is also considered as promising liver tonic. For the patients suffering from Pelea (Jaundice) it is must. For all these purposes, mature fruits are used. Like the leaves of Fudhar (Calotropis gigantea), the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the leaves of Papita in treatment of joint pains externally. The leaves are warmed over fire and applied externally on painful parts for immediate relief. In treatment of Hathipaw (Elephantitis), the traditional healers use the leaves both internally and externally. As injury of immature fruits results in secretion of milky juice, it is considered good to increase the flow of milk in lactating women.

The natives prepare curries from unripe fruits and give it to the lactating women. This use is popular among them. This milky juice is also used as carminative and anthelmintic. The traditional healers of Bastar region use the milky juice externally in treatment of skin troubles. According to them one week regular application cures the trouble completely. The traditional healers of Gulgul village use the milky juice in treatment of Bavasir(Piles). The juice is applied externally on piles. The healers also burn the dried Papita leaves and instruct the patients to expose the affected parts in fumes in order to get rid from intense pain. The traditional healers of Narharpur region informed me that the Papita tree is good air purifier and it should be planted near health centres for this purpose with Neem trees. This property of Papita is not reported in available literatures. Through this article, I would like to request the researchers to evaluate the air purifying qualities and abilities of this important herb. In treatment of respiratory troubles, the traditional healers burn the Papita seeds and the patients are instructed to inhale the fumes. As other promising and cheap alternatives are available, the healers use the seeds less frequently. But from documentation point of view, it is an important information.

The above mentioned traditional uses are not enough to establish the Papita crop as medicinal crop. I personally feel that there is a strong need for detailed ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of India. I am sure that these systematic surveys will be of great use for us and by increasing its uses, we can make Papita cultivation more profitable. . There is also a strong need to develop detailed package of practices for organic cultivation of this important crop.

Thank you very much for reading the article.