Papaya enzyme is currently popular as a dietary supplement. While it's an excellent meat tenderizer, however, there's very little evidence that it has much of an effect on your body. For instance, there's no scientific evidence -- nor reasonable theory -- to suggest that it will do anything for your sinusitis.
Papaya Enzyme
Papaya enzyme, also called papain, is a protein-digesting or proteolytic enzyme that occurs naturally in the fruit of the papaya plant. The fruit uses the enzyme to help break down and recycle plant proteins. Because papaya enzyme breaks down protein, one of its traditional uses was as a meat tenderizer; it can break down the tough fibers in a cut of meat and make the meat easier to chew.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an uncomfortable condition that results from infection of the sinuses by bacteria, explains PubMed Health. The sinuses, cavities in the skull that generally contain air and produce small amounts of mucus, can fill with mucus when you have an upper-respiratory infection. This clogs them, and makes it easier for bacteria to build up and infect the cavities, resulting in inflammation. Symptoms include headache, possible fever, and tooth pain.
Treating Sinusitis
You can't use papaya enzyme either to treat or to reduce the symptoms of sinusitis. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, sinusitis is the result of a bacterial infection, and papaya enzyme that you swallow does nothing to help kill bacteria. Second, even if papaya enzyme had the ability to kill bacteria or reduce inflammation, you have no mechanism for getting enzymes you swallow out of the gut and into the body cells.
Treating Sinusitis
If your sinusitis is quite serious or lasts a long time, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Mild cases, however, generally resolve on their own, and your best bet is to manage your symptoms in the meantime. Over-the-counter pain relievers will help, as will decongestants, explains MayoClinic.com. You may also be able to loosen mucus and clear the sinuses a bit by inhaling steam, as you do when you take a hot shower.
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