Papaya Enzyme Dosage

Papaya is the fruit of Carica papaya, a small tropical tree with a hollow trunk that is indigenous to Mexico and Central and South America. Also called pawpaw or papaw, papaya is a melon-like fruit shaped like an avocado, but orange in color. The ripe fruit is eaten raw or cooked and the juice is consumed as a beverage. The unripe fruit, however, yields a substance called papain that is classified as a protease enzyme, which means it breaks down proteins. As such, papain is a common ingredient in powdered meat tenderizers. It is also available as a dietary supplement to aid digestion.

Traditional Use

Papaya has been used for centuries in folk medicine. The latex, or milky juice of the plant, is applied to the skin to dissolve boils, warts and other blemishes. The juice or a decoction of the root is given as a vermifuge to expel intestinal parasites. According to Purdue University, the green fruit and the seeds possess antibiotic properties. The seeds, in particular, contain a compound called benzyl isothiocyanate, or BITC, which is antibacterial and antifungal. However, this substance is also an emmenagogue, which means it can induce miscarriage.

Wound Healing

In the United States, papaya enzymes are formulated into a prescription-based ointment to debride wounds. According to Drugs.com, each gram of ointment contains 8.3 --- 105 USP units of papain. A paper published in the June 15, 2010, issue of "Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences" reported that papain, the main proteolytic enzyme of papaya, demonstrated superior wound healing properties in rats than distilled water and Betadine, an iodine-based topical antiseptic. Specifically, the animals that received the papain preparation exhibited better collagen deposition and regeneration of skin organelles. Put simply, these events translate to making new blood vessels and connective tissue and describe how the skin repairs itself.

Digestion

According to the Physicians' Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines, papaya is used to address gastrointestinal complaints, including duodenal ulcers and pancreas insufficiency. Preparations vary between formulas and manufacturers, but the chewable tablets generally contain between 6 and 150 mg of papain enzymes and are usually taken after meals.

Safety Considerations

Drugs.com says that as little as 4 g of air-dried papaya seeds are effective against internal parasites. Due to potential toxic effects, however, papaya supplements and products should be avoided during pregnancy. Allergic reactions are possible in some people. The PDR cautions that papaya enzymes may affect blood sugar levels, so don't take this supplement without medical supervision if you have a history of diabetes.