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Pawpaw
Carica papaya, papaya, FAN MU GUA
The pawpaw (papaya), fan mu gua,
is also called fan gua (pumpkin) and mu gua (tree melon). It is a tropical,
herbaceous small tree growing from 2-7 meters. It has a single straight
trunk with a number of small branches at the top.
The fruit is round or egg-shaped and 150-400 mm long and the surface is
smooth and bare. The immature fruit is hard and green, changing to
yellow-orange when ripe. The skin is thin and the flesh is thick, firm but
soft, fragrant and sweet. Inside there are a large number of black-brown or
grey-brown seeds.
The fruit ripens in the summer. Its nature is neither hot nor cold. It is
nourishing, helps digestion and kills parasites. It contains abundant sugar,
protein, fat, many vitamins, organic acids, protease, rennin enzyme, papaya
alkaline, carpaine, etc.
APPLICATIONS
1. INDIGESTION; CHEST AND STOMACH SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL. Take 30 grams of sour
pawpaw or 60 grams of fresh pawpaw twice a day.
2. NURSING MOTHERS, LACK OF MILK. Take 500 grams of half ripe fruit and two
pig's front trotters, boil till cooked, discard the bones, then blend and
eat. Do this daily for 3 days.
3. WEAK, FEVERISH, OUT OF SORTS; THIRSTY; PERSISTENT COUGH. Take 250-500
grams of fresh fruit and steam till reduced to pulp. Eat this daily in one
serve.
4. TAPEWORM; ROUNDWORM; WHIPWORM; INTERNAL PARASITES. Take 250 grams of sour
pawpaw and 60 grams of the liquid in which the pawpaw has been
soaked. Combine and drink this each evening before going to sleep. Do this
for 3 days.
5. ECZEMA; IMPETIGO; PUSTULOSIS; VARIOUS TYPES OF TINEA; CHRONIC ULCER OF
THE FOOT IN OLD PEOPLE. Take one unripe fresh fruit of about 500 grams,
crush and add 30 grams of vinegar and 30 grams of table salt. Mix and
squeeze to obtain the juice. Rub this on the affected place.
PREPARATIONS
1. RIPENING THE FRUIT. Pawpaws sold in the city markets are frequently green
and unripe. The fruit can be buried in rice husks overnight or for a few
days. When it
begins to change to yellow test it by pressing with the forefinger. If the
fruit is ready to use, gentle but firm pressure will form a hollow on the
surface of the fruit. The fruit can then be eaten.
2. SOUR PAWPAW. Take unripe young fruit and discard the skin and seeds.
Slice up the flesh and soak it for some time in vinegar. This is called sour
pawpaw.
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