Papaya leaves helps in reducing dengue fever

Many health experts suggest papaya leaf juice as an effective remedy to treat dengue fever. This deadly disease is caused by Aedes mosquitoes. They transmit the disease into our blood and cause high fever, skin rash and decrease in platelet count. The incidence worldwide has grown dramatically in recent decades with severe dengue now a leading cause of hospitalization and death among children and adults. The extract from papaya leaf helps in reducing the symptoms of dengue. Platelet count comes down drastically in dengue patients, and it can actually have fatal outcomes. Doctors work towards boosting platelet count in dengue patients and for this papaya juice has been scientifically proven to be beneficial.

Mrs. Zeenath Fatima (Registered Dietician) Chief Dietician, PG, DNT, M.Sc, Continental Hospitals, Hyderabad answers the questions below on the effectiveness of  Papaya leaves in treating dengue fever. The treatment of dengue aims to cure the symptoms, rather than the cause. Home remedies have been found to be effective in this condition.

1. Does papaya leaves help in fighting dengue fever?

Yes, because it is enriched with anti-malarial properties. It has been used as a home remedy to fight against dengue fever & other illness. Where Acetogenin a compound found in papaya leaves helps in preventing diseases like malaria and dengue

2. What are the benefits of papaya leaves?

Papaya is a well known for digestive enzymes which contain phenolic compounds, papain, caricarn and alkaloids which are anti-oxidant in function.

3. Does it increase the blood platelets?

Yes, but not only papaya leaves can increase, when it combined with good medicine it acts as a good superficial treatment for dengue. The major one is it helps in reducing the symptoms of the dengue as it has digestive enzymes the food we consume is observed thoroughly and increases the availability to the body.

4. What are the different ways to use papaya leaves?

The simplest form is to have the extract of the leaves

•             Papaya leaves dal or curry

•             Papaya leaves soup with veggies

•             Papaya leaf pills

5. Can having papaya have a similar effect as drinking papaya leaf juice?

No, but when patients are given this papaya leaf extract they usually vomit or have that bitter sense overall the day. So, for this reason we can replace this juice with papaya. So at least they can have minimum intake.

6. How much papaya leaf should be consumed every day?

30 ml of fresh papaya leaf extract on an empty stomach is sufficient or can have a table spoon of the extract before the meals for at least 5 consecutive days.

7. Please leave a message for the readers?

For dengue recovery period, go for easily digested foods which are low fat and low spicy. The principle behind this is when your digestion is at a good level, your recovery period speed increases. So have more fruits and vegetables and hydrate with fluids.

Book Appointment:  Mrs. Zeenath Fatima (Registered Dietician) Chief Dietician, PG, DNT, M.Sc, Continental Hospitals, Hyderabad