Family:

Caricaceae

 

Part Used:

Fruit, Latex, Leaves, flowers, and seeds.

 

Energetics & Taste:

Cooling and moistening to the skin.

 

Habitat:

Native to tropical America but grows in tropical regions worldwide.

 

Key Benefits:

The unripe fruit and trunk of the papaya tree contain a white latex known as papain, which is used to treat wounds, ulcers, warts, boils, and even cancerous tumors. Papaya's high content of vitamins C and E, antioxidants, and the enzyme papain make it excellent for skin health. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, exfoliates dead skin cells to unclog pores and combat acne, brightens and evens skin tone, and offers protection against sun damage.

 

Contraindications: 

None known.