Carica Papaya

Every medicine exhibits peculiar actions on the human frame, which are not produced in exactly the same manner by any other medicinal substance of a different kind.

- Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine, Aphorism 118

India has been the hub of traditional medical knowledge since ancient times. There have been innumerable drugs of Indian origin, which have shown remarkable cures in the hands of ancient Ayurveda and Unani physicians.

The therapeutic potential of these Indian drugs, however, has not been fully explored homoeopathically. It remains to be seen for most of these drugs, whether they can act only in crude form, or the sphere of their therapeutic utility is expanded, when they are prepared according to the methodology suggested by Dr. Hahnemann.

Being the apex body in the field of Research in Homoeopathy, it has been the endeavour of CCRH to incorporate drug substances of indigenous origin into the Homoeopathic Materia Medica. Carica papaya, is a commonly available fruit in India, the therapeutic efficacy of which has been utilized by different 'pathies'. This monograph is one such attempt of the Council to present before the profession, the therapeutic potential of this drug prepared from the sap of the raw fruit of the plant. The booklet contains data of Drug Standardization, Drug Proving, Clinical Verification and also its safety evaluation data as found in other authentitic sources.

I am sure, this monograph would be of help to Homoeopathic clinicians, botanists and pharmacologists. As the drug would be put to use more frequently, the book will need further updating and revision.

I, therefore, keep this book open to the profession for their opinion and further inputs.

Carica papaya an indigenous plant, commonly known as Papeeta in Hindi and Papeya in Bengali, has been frequently used by ancient Indian Physicians for its efficacy in enlarged liver and spleen. The milky juice and seed are considered best vermifuge especially for roundworms in children. The CCRH conducted its proving in DPRU Calcutta and HDRI Lucknow in the year 1990. The proving and clinical confirmation of many of the symptoms elicited during the proving confirm its sphere of action on liver, eyes, head, stomach and rectum etc.

Ripe fruit is very useful in habitual constipation, dyspepsia and bleeding piles. Green fruit is laxative and diuretic. External application of the fresh milk juice has the power of producing inflammation of the skin and is esteemed as a good remedy for ringworm. For enlarged liver and spleen dried and salted fruits are used with marvellous results. The unripe fruit made into a curry is said to stimulate secretions of milk. In nervous pains, leaves dipped in hot water or warmed over fire are applied externally with much success.

**Contents and Sample Pages**