Papaya Leaf Extract

Family Caricaceae. Papaya (or Paw Paw) trees, resemble palm trees. They can grow up to 30 feet tall with dark green or purple trunks and no branches, except the few found at the top of the tree. Fruits grow in dense clusters. The plant is lactiferous, meaning is secretes latex, which is dispersed through most plant tissue. It's well known for being a rich source of papain, chymopapain, glycyl endopeptidase and caricain. Papaya leaves are also rich in vitamin C. Geography: Native to Central America and other tropical climates.

Historical Uses

Various parts of the papaya plant have long been used as ingredients in alternative medicine. For instance, the leaves have been known to be used for treatment of fevers, inflammation and as a dressing for septic wounds. Papaya leaf extract contains a natural exfoliating enzyme, papain, that helps keep pores clean.