Papaya Leaf Juice for Dengue Fever

Table of Content

• Understanding Dengue

• Why papaya leaf juice is given in Dengue?

• Symptoms of dengue are

• Warning signs in Dengue

• Guidelines in using Carica papaya leaf extract for Dengue fever patients.

• Method of preparing papaya leaf extract for dengue

• Know these Benefits of papaya extract in dengue patients.

• Myth and Fact on fruit consumption in Dengue

• Take away points

• FAQ on Papaya Leaf Juice for Dengue Fever

Introduction:

Dengue is one of the four main infections which are reported to threaten global health. Data suggest that 33 million dengue cases occur in India each year. Dengue cases reported in rural and urban settings in India are the major cause of hospitalization.

Using herbal remedies in dengue fever is linked to enhancing the patient & immunity.

A review article published in Clinical Complementary Medicine and Pharmacology has mentioned various herbs used in dengue, including papaya, neem, turmeric, lemongrass, guava, etc.

It would be interesting to know that papaya leaf increases blood volume; this is written in Ancient Indian Ayurveda.

The article gives you an overview of the symptoms of dengue and how papaya leaves are beneficial in dengue.

Understanding Dengue:

Dengue is caused by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, occurring within 5-7 days of the mosquito bite.

Symptoms of dengue are:

The peak time for dengue attacks in the early morning or dusk. Following are some of the well-known symptoms of the Dengue Virus that show up in a person:

● High fever

● Severe Headache

● Nausea and vomiting

● Pain behind eyes

● Skin rashes

● Muscle pain

● Joint pain

● Sore throat

● Swollen lymph nodes

● Extreme weakness

● Low blood pressure

Warning signs in Dengue:

● Severe abdominal pain

● Bleeding gums

● Rapid breathing

● Restlessness

● Persistent vomiting

● Blood in vomiting

There is no specific treatment available for dengue. It is important to maintain water volume during dengue fever.

There are four serotypes of dengue virus, so an individual can suffer four times from dengue and may cause a severe form of dengue called dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dengue is characterized by reduced platelet count, which increases the patient & complications.

Papaya leaf extract should be given from the first day of Dengue fever along with the usual dengue management.

Why papaya leaf juice is given in Dengue?

Papaya has many medicinal properties. It treats malaria, asthma, cough, bronchitis, jaundice, etc.

In ancient times, papaya or papita was used to increase the number of White blood cells (WBC) and platelets. It is good for improving the health of the liver.

Papaya leaf juice is the traditional medicine in India to increase platelet count.

Green papaya leaves have the most nutritional value compared to yellow and brown papaya leaves. These have 21 constituents which have the potential to increase the platelet count in dengue patients.

It is said that papaya seeds are toxic to Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Guidelines in using Carica papaya leaf extract for Dengue fever patients.

The points below explain how to take papaya leaf juice for dengue fever.

● It is taken as syrup.

● The papaya leaf extract is given 30 ml thrice daily before meals for an adult.

● For a child, it is given 5 to 10 ml three times a day.

● The extract is given till complete recovery and not stopped halfway through the treatment.

● If the extract tastes bitter, take cold water after consuming the extract.

Method of preparing papaya leaf extract for dengue

Read the steps below to find out how to prepare papaya leaf juice extract for dengue.

● Take fresh, healthy and mature papaya leaves and wash them thoroughly.

● Chop them into small pieces.

● Take 50 g of papaya leaves + 50 ml of boiled water (cool) + 25 g sugar

● After mixing the above ingredients, make a uniform pulp in mortar and pestle. Squeeze it to get the extract.

● Store it in the refrigerator for 24 hours and shake well before use.

Know these Benefits of papaya extract in dengue patients.

The main reason for giving papaya leaf juice to dengue patients is to increase platelet count. The points given below from various Indian and other studies mention the details of doses of papaya leaf extract which has been shown to benefit the patient.

● Papaya leaves extract tablets 1100 mg, given thrice a day for five days, increase platelet count. (Kasture et al, 2016).

● A Papaya leaf extract capsule of 500 mg given once a day along with paracetamol, IV 0.9% normal saline, and antiemetic for five days increases the platelet count. (Gadhwal et al., 2016).

● Papaya leaves juice given orally for three days increases the platelet count. (Subenthiran et al., 2013).

Myth and Fact on fruit consumption in Dengue:

People believe papaya leaf juice, kiwi, dragon fruit, coconut water, giloy, and aloe vera cure dengue. Allopathic doctors say that these play a supportive role in the treatment as these keep the patient hydrated and boost the immunity of the patient.

Ayurvedic doctors say that natural remedies increase platelet counts.

Fruits like pomegranate, citrus fruits, papaya, dragon fruit, and kiwi fruit aid in speedy recovery along with treatments suggested by doctors.

Take away points:

Indian Ayurveda is known for curing disease through natural extracts derived from plants.

Papaya leaf extract is one such example which improves the patient & health condition by increasing the platelet count. The organ most badly affected in dengue is liver and papaya is known to benefit the overall health of the liver.

Research is going on regarding proof of the efficacy of papaya leaf juice and its effect on dengue. We will update more investigatory details in future and keep our readers updated with the latest information.

References

Papaya leaf extract for Dengue fever patients

Dengue Fever: Therapeutic Potential of Carica papaya L. Leaves

Papaya Extract to Treat Dengue

Dengue Fever Treatment