Papaya enzymes derived from the tropical fruit are called papain. Papain is sometimes used as a natural digestive aid, made from the milky latex substance found in unripe papaya fruits and stems. You might use papaya enzymes to help your body digest proteins and otherwise treat indigestion. Before you begin taking papain, consult your doctor to talk about the possible side effects, correct dosage and potential drug interactions.
Function
Papaya enzymes have been used for tenderizing meats because they act to break down proteins, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Papain also appears to have modulating effects on the immune system and possible antitumor or anticancer properties, says the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Normally, your pancreas produces sufficient enzymes such as those found in papayas to digest foods and stimulate cell reactions. Therefore, papaya enzymes may be especially helpful for people who don't produce enough pancreatic enzymes, which causes indigestion symptoms such as gas, bloating and flatulence, DrugDigest.org says.
Uses
You might take papaya enzymes to relieve gas and flatulence due to indigestion, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Papain could also have beneficial effects for people with chronic pain, food allergies and autoimmune diseases. You could take papaya enzymes if you have pancreatic insufficiency or pancreatitis, food allergies, celiac disease, Crohn's disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease -- GERD, notes the University of Michigan Health System. However, no conclusive medical research supports the use of papaya enzymes to prevent or treat any health condition.
Potential
In addition to treating gastrointestinal and pancreatic conditions, papaya enzymes could potentially help treat lower back pain, sprains, tendinitis and strains, as well as chronic yeast infections, acne rosacea and osteoarthritis, says the University of Michigan Health System. Papain might help reduce the side effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and prevent diabetes complications, and outbreaks of human papilloma virus -- HPV -- and herpes and inflammation, DrugDigest.org notes. Papain may help treat hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis as well. Talk with your doctor before taking papaya enzymes for any medical purpose.
Considerations
Despite papain's benefits in relieving gas and other indigestion-related symptoms, the remedy can cause certain side effects. While taking papaya enzymes for flatulence, you might experience mild stomach upset, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says. Ingesting papaya enzymes and other parts of unripe papayas can potentially cause mouth irritation and inflammation or irritation of your esophagus, stomach and intestines -- particularly if you already have some damage to these tissues, DrugDigest.org cautions. In rare cases, papaya enzymes can cause an allergic reaction.
Warning
Papaya enzymes can interact negatively with certain medications and pose more serious health risks for some people. For example, children with cystic fibrosis are at risk for developing intestinal damage from taking papaya enzymes, warns the University of Michigan Health System. Papain can interfere with certain blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin and Coumadin, cautions the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Taking anticoagulants or antiplatelets with papaya enzymes could increase your risks for uncontrolled bleeding. This same interaction is possible if you're taking papain with certain blood-thinning herbs such as garlic, ginkgo, devil's claw, ginger, red clover and saw palmetto, DrugDigest.org says.
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