We all know that Papaya is an incredibly nutritious fruit. It offers a wide range of health benefits. But do you know that Papaya Flower is also edible and equally healthy? The miraculous nutritional composition of the Papaya flower can treat several ailments easily.
This natural remedy is widely used to regulate the levels of insulin in diabetes. It can also help prevent heart diseases, stabilize high blood pressure, manage weight and cure several other ailments. In this article, we are going to see more about the papaya flower and how it can improve your health.
About Papaya Flower
Papaya is a widely cultivated tree throughout the world. It is considered a valued fruit by the indigenous people of Mexico and Central America. It grows in abundance in India especially in Manipur.
Our ancestors used to worship the Papaya tree as the ‘Tree of Life’. Due to its amazing medicinal properties, they used to believe it as God’s gift. The size of the Papaya flowers is small. They are off-white in color. Male flowers are cylindrical in shape whereas female flowers resemble a pear shape.
The extract of papaya flower helps regenerate WBC (white blood cells) and platelets in the body. Doctors vouch for the healing attributes of these flowers. It displays exemplary cancer-fighting properties and works as an immunity booster.
Its fruit, flower and seeds are used for medicinal and culinary objectives. Papaya flower is packed with multiple beneficial vitamins and healing attributes. This flower is loaded in vitamins A, vitamins C and vitamin E. It makes it a valuable source of dietary fibre. It is rich in folate and possesses antioxidant properties. It also prevents oxidation of cholesterol in the body.
It is consumed as an extract, juice, or tea to treat inflammation, control blood glucose levels, support hair and skin health, and prevent cancer. Papaya flower extract is also effective to cure several preventative treatments for health issues such as atherosclerosis, bronchitis, respiratory congestion, diabetes heart attacks, strokes, lung infections and liver ailments.
Nutritional Composition Of Papaya Flower
Papaya flowers have an impressive nutritional profile that makes it highly-recommended herbs.
- 45 calories
- 0.3 grams fat,
- 8.1 grams carbs,
- 2.6 grams protein,
- 290 mg calcium,
- 113 mg phosphorus, and
- iron 4. 2 mg
The flower also contains vitamin A, B1 and vitamin C that give remarkable health benefits to a person.
Benefits of Papaya Flower
The benefits of Papaya Flowers are endless. Ancient people have used it as a traditional herbal medicine for several centuries. These flowers are beneficial for your overall health. Their medicinal properties can resolve several illnesses. Some of them have been mentioned below:
1. Manages Blood Glucose
It is very important for any diabetic to keep blood sugar in a balanced state. There are several diabetics who have testified the magical blood-sugar-lowering ability of the Papaya flower. The flower can also safeguard insulin-producing cells present in the pancreas from premature death and damage. This makes it beneficial in the treatment of the disease. These flowers have the remarkable ability to keep the blood sugar in healthy levels in the body. In addition to it, Papaya flowers also stimulate the secretion of insulin hormone in the body.
2. Rich Source Of Antioxidant
Papaya flowers also contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and folate that are remarkable anti-oxidant agents. This helps in the prevention of oxidation in the body. The high antioxidant property helps destroy free radicals.
These free radicals can cause a wide range of health issues in the body such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, aging etc. Regular consumption of papaya flower saves the body from any probable damage caused due to free radicals. It helps in guarding against these ailments.
3. Shows Anti-Cancer Properties
Papaya flower is rich in antioxidants that play a significant role in the prevention of cancer in the body. This flower displays exemplary curative abilities to restrict the development of breast and prostate cancer cells.
Papaya flower also has good amounts of flavonoids in them. It helps fight cancer-causing cells in the body. In this way, the papaya flower can save you for various types of cancers from developing in the body.
4. Improves Immunity System
Papaya flowers have high antioxidant levels that boost immunity levels in the body. The extracts obtained from the flowers when mixed with honey can easily treat a wide range of respiratory issues. This mixture is found to be effective in the treatment of hoarseness of the throat, and cough.
Another way to use this therapeutic compound is in the form of a concoction. Take a pan and add a glass of water in it. Bring the water to boil. Add papaya flowers in it. Now cool the concoction. Add a teaspoon of honey into it. Drink this healthy drink three to four times a day to get immediate relief from sore throat.
5. Enhances Digestion
Poor digestion is the reason for various illnesses. Papaya flower is a beneficial natural remedy that promotes healthy digestion. It contains a special compound called “tannins” that aids the digestive system to execute the proper operation in the body.
The presence of tannin also helps launch the important organs of the digestion of the body. The abundant nutritional content stimulates the metabolism of the body. In this way, it regularizes bowel movements and also gives relief from constipation.
For better digestion, drink papaya infused water twice a day in the morning and evening. It will gradually strengthen the digestive system.
6. Reduces Cholesterol Levels
Another important benefit of the Papaya flower is that it can help manage cholesterol levels in the body. This is due to the high amount of antioxidants and folate in it. Papaya flower can help lower LDL or bad cholesterol levels in the body. In this way, it saves from a heart attack and promotes heart health too.
7. Improves Blood Circulation
Papaya flowers have several nutrients that help regulate blood circulation in the body. It is beneficial to prevent heart ailments and keeps the body healthy. Proper blood circulation also prevents strokes that are caused due to free radicals and inferior blood circulation in the body.
8. Lose weight
The flower of the papaya fruit has plenty of vitamin C, B vitamins and vitamin A. When you consume it daily, it helps bring down your weight and stabilize your body fat. So, drinking the extract of the flower daily make you slim, fit and healthy.
9. Helps Treat Dengue Fever
Another important medicinal benefit of papaya flower is that it possesses a remarkable ability to treat specific symptoms linked to dengue fever. It is a mosquito-borne virus that transmits to humans and leads to nausea, fever, skin rashes, headaches, fatigue, and vomiting.
Dengue can also result in a significant reduction in platelet levels in the blood. When the levels go low, then it contributes to a high risk of bleeding. There is presently no treatment for dengue, but papaya flower extract gives impressive results in the management of the symptoms. Studies have proved that drinking papaya flower induced water daily can improve the blood platelet levels in people who suffer from dengue fever.
10. Treats Acidity
The concoction of Papaya flower and extracts is often considered as an alternative therapy to lessen health issues that arise due to poor digestion. This includes gas, heartburn, bloating, acidity, constipation, stomach ache etc. The flower has an excellent amount of fiber and a unique compound called papain that supports the healthy functioning of the digestive system.
Papain is also popular for its potential to disintegrate large proteins into easily digestible proteins. Studies have found that papain supplements reduce negative digestive symptoms, which include heartburn, and constipation that are commonly found in irritable bowel syndrome. Thus, the digestion boosting compounds and nutrients in papaya flower alleviates digestive disturbances in a person.
11. Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Effects
Inflammation is one of the biggest causes of various critical health issues. Papaya flower has remarkable anti-inflammatory compounds that can treat a broad range of external and internal inflammatory conditions. It is a frequently used remedy to cure skin rashes, joint pains and muscle aches.
The presence of papain, vitamin E and flavonoids in papaya flower possesses potential anti-inflammatory benefits. It can significantly lower swelling and inflammation associated with arthritis.
12. Boosts Growth Of Hair
The extract of the Papaya flower is also good for hair. It has good amounts of antioxidants such as vitamin E and flavonoids that prevent oxidative stress on the scalp. Topical application of papaya flower masks or drinking papaya flower enriched juices shows gradual improvement in hair growth. It also keeps the scalp healthy.
High levels of oxidative stress contribute to the loss of hair. When you eat antioxidant-rich food like Papaya flower then it destroys harmful free radicals in the body. In this way, it stops their action of oxidative stress, stimulates hair growth and support scalp health.
Also, the topical application of the extract helps ward off annoying dandruff on the scalp skin. It is caused due to an overdevelopment of a fungus named “Malassezia”. This fungus causes hair fall and hinders hair growth.
Papaya flower is effective in the prevention of dandruff on the skin. It demonstrates antifungal properties that support hair health and scalp health. It inhibits the development of fungus that leads to dandruff on the scalp.
13. May Promote Healthy Skin
The extract of the Papaya flower helps maintain good skin. You can either consume it orally or apply it topically to maintain clear, youthful and soft skin. The extract contains a protein-dissolving enzyme called papain that works as a potent exfoliant. It removes dead skin cells and lessens the occurrence of ingrown hairs, acne and clogged pores as well.
Papaya extract promotes the healing of wounds. It helps minimize the scars in rabbits. Regular application of the extract on the skin gives you a blemish free, and clear skin naturally. Papaya flower also has potent antioxidants like Vitamin E that nourishes your skin and makes it glowing and healthy.
How To Use Papaya Flower For Cooking?
The right selection of the Papaya flower is very important to get the desired health benefits. Select the delicate flowers present over the ripe fruit. These flowers are waxy and sweetly fragrant. The male papaya flower has got high nutritional value. It contains distinctive plant compounds that have demonstrated wide pharmacological potential in test-tube and animal studies. You can make several delicious recipes from it.
You can also get the extract of the Papaya flower in the form of teas, tablets, and juices. It is used to treat ailments and promote health in a myriad of ways. The flower of papaya is bitter in taste. You can reduce the bitterness by soaking it in tamarind water, or saltwater.
This will lessen its bitterness to a great extent. You can enjoy these flowers in the form of a side dish, a vegetable dish, or as a garnishing agent. Other than health benefits, these bright papaya flowers are also used for decorative purposes.
Safety Precautions When Consuming Papaya Flower
The efficacy of the papaya flowers does not come with any side effects. This makes them very safe for daily consumption. These flowers do not have any toxic properties. The best part of this medical and healing agent is that it doesn’t lead to any negative side effects even when consumed at large doses. This makes Papaya flower safest to consume for humans.
However, people who are allergic to papaya, shouldn’t consume the fruit. This will prevent them from negative side effects. Also, pregnant ladies and breastfeeding mothers should always consult their doctor before they consume this flower.
Conclusion
Papaya flower has a wonderful nutritional composition. This natural ingredient can benefit in the treatment of several critical ailments. It has the ability to reduce inflammation, stabilize blood sugar, regulate bowel movements, improve hair health and more. You can enjoy its goodness by adding it to your dishes.
It is completely safe for all age groups. To get the best benefits from it, you should choose the highest quality supplements that are enriched with its extract. If you experience any allergies, then you should consult your doctor about it. If you liked this post, then do share it with your friends on social media. Also, you can write to us with any of your suggestions, comments, and queries. We will be happy to address them soon.
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