| The papaya is an amazingly rich source of the | | | | expansion in the numbers of specialist shops |
| proteolytic enzymes. These are the chemicals | | | | providing for the needs of the Indian and West |
| that enable the digestion of protein. Papain, which | | | | Indian communities where papayas can be bought. |
| is the most important of these enzymes in the | | | | Papaya contains arginine which is known to be |
| papaya, is extracted and dried as a powder for | | | | essential for male fertility and also carpain, an |
| use to aid the digestion, and it is often used as a | | | | enzyme thought to be good for the heart. Fibrin |
| meat tenderizer, the enzyme partially breaking | | | | also occurs and this substance is not commonly |
| down the meat fibers - digesting them in fact. | | | | found in the plant kingdom; in man it forms part |
| Many experts, such as Dr Lytton-Bernard, have | | | | of the blood clotting process. The papaya is an |
| claimed rejuvenating properties for papaya, | | | | excellent source of vitamin C, with 82mg per |
| especially for the control of premature ageing. It | | | | 100g (4oz), and is rich in carotene. |
| may be that it works simply because a poor | | | | After treatment with antibiotics the use of |
| digestion leaves the body without the correct | | | | papaya juice will quickly assist the restoration of |
| nutrients. Those who find it almost impossible to | | | | the normal bacteria in the gut which will have |
| digest anything frequently find that papaya used | | | | been destroyed by the treatment. Papaya is good |
| regularly, either in tablet or juice form, marks the | | | | for many digestive disorders and is excellent for |
| turning point in the climb back to vitality and good | | | | improving poor digestion. It has also been |
| health. | | | | recommended as part of the treatment for |
| As a cleanser you can take a quarter pint (150ml) | | | | cancer. Therapeutically it can often be combined |
| of papaya juice alternated each hour for twelve | | | | with pineapple juice in which there is another |
| hours by the same amount of cucumber or green | | | | important enzyme bromelain. |
| bean juice. Papaya loses some of the enzymes as | | | | The skin of the papaya is a first class external |
| it ripens, so if you have the choice select them | | | | treatment for skin wounds and places that do not |
| green. They are easy to obtain in most parts of | | | | heal quickly. The pulp from the juicer can be used |
| America but are not found in British greengrocers | | | | for this and as a poultice. |
| very often. Fortunately there has been a rapid | | | | |