Erand Karkati ( Carica Papaya)
Erand karkati is known as papita in Hindi and papaya in English. It belongs to family Caricaceae and Erand karkati kul in Ayurveda. Papaya is a giant herbaceous plant resembling a tree but it is not woody. Its origin is in the tropics of the America. India is the leading producer of papayas, responsible for 42% of the world’s crop.
Plant description: Papaya plant has a hollow, green or purple stem, and can grow 6 to 10 feet in a year, eventually reaching heights of 20 to 30 ft. The long-petiole leaves, which may be 1 to 3.5 feet long and 1 to 2 feet wide, are deeply divided into 5 to 9 main segments, which are further lobed. Both leaves and stems contain large amounts of white, milky latex.
Papaya plants are generally dioecious, with short-stalked female flowers having pistil which are 5-petalled, waxy, and white, borne on separate plants from the male staminate flowers, which are borne on long panicles. Plants may also bear hermaphroditic or perfect flowers, which have both pistils and stamens, or they may be monoecious, bearing separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The fruit that develops varies in shape depending on the flower type. Fruits from female flowers are usually oval to round and smaller than the fruits that develop from perfect flowers, which are cylindrical or club-shaped. Green fruits contain latex, which disappears as the fruit ripens to light or dark yellow. The flesh of the fruit varies from yellow to orange or red, and is thick and juicy, with a central cavity filled with many small black seeds.
Ayurvedic pharmacology: Guna- Laghu, Ruksha, Teekshna Rasa- Katu, Tikta Vipaak- Katu Veerya- Ushna Karma- Unripen fruit Kaphavaatashamak, Ripen fruit- Pittavaatashamak
Chemical composition: Papaya skin, pulp and seeds contain a variety of phytochemicals, including carotenoids, polyphenols, benzyl isothiocyanates and benzyl glucosinates. Papaya seeds contain the cyanogenic substance prunasin which is toxic so seeds as a medicine should be used cautiously. The latex contains papain, a protease which is used as tenderizer. Papaya fruit contains vitamin A, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin and vit. C.
Therapeutically useful part: Fruit, leaf, latex, seeds
Therapeutic uses: Latex is applied for stomatitis, scabies, eczema, vitiligo and scorpion bite. Seeds are used to prepare an oil which is applied externally for paralysis and bell’s palsy. Leaf paste is applied externally on elephantiasis. Internally latex and unripe fruit is used for various digestive disorders, hepatosplenomegaly and ascariasis. Leaf decoction is used for fevers.
Side effects: Papaya latex may produce allergies to sensitive people.
Dr. Pratibha Mamgain, Dept. of Ayurvedic Medicine
