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Though the exact area of origin is unknown, the papaya is

believed native to tropical America, perhaps in southern

Mexico and neighboring Central America. It is recorded that

seeds were taken to Panama and then the Dominican Republic

before 1525 and cultivation spread to warm elevations

throughout South and Central America, southern Mexico, the

West Indies and Bahamas, and to Bermuda in 1616. Spaniards

carried seeds to the Philippines about 1550 and the papaya

traveled from there to Malacca and India. Seeds were sent

from India to Naples in 1626. Now the papaya is familiar in

nearly all tropical regions of the Old World and the Pacific

Islands and has become naturalized in many areas. Seeds were

probably brought to Florida from the Bahamas. Up to about1959, the papaya was commonly grown in southern and central

Florida in home gardens and on a small commercial scale.

Thereafter, natural enemies seriously reduced the plantings.

There was a similar decline in Puerto Rico about 10 years

prior to the setback of the industry in Florida. While

isolated plants and a few commercial plots may be fruitful

and long-lived, plants in some fields may reach 5 or 6 ft,

yield one picking of undersized and misshapen fruits and then

are so affected by virus and other diseases that they must be

destroyed. Fruits from bisexual plants are usually

cylindrical or pyriform with small seed cavity and thick wall

of firm flesh which stands handling and shipping well. In

contrast, fruits from female flowers are nearly round or oval

and thin-walled. In some areas, bisexual types are in

greatest demand.

Papaya is rich in Anti-oxidants, the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the

minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Together, these nutrients promote thehealth of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. In

addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a

similar enzyme found in pineapple, to treat sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and

allergies. Vitamin C and vitamin A, which is made in the body from the beta-carotene in

papaya, are both needed for the proper function of a healthy immune system. Papaya may

therefore be a healthy fruit choice for preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections,

colds and flu.

Papaya has Medical uses too. Latex, the milklike juice from unripe papaya contains the

most concentration of papain, some people say it can help remove freckles. The Papains

protein in papaya makes it helpful against heartburn and indigestion. Mixed with a little

honey and taken before meals, it may even prevent heartburn. Papain also help thin the

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blood and discourage clotting. The fruitsproteolytic enzymesand other compounds,

including a substance called carpaine, work against intestinal worms and other

parasites.Experiments done on laboratory rats suggest that papaya seeds might reverse

infertility.