The use of papaya extends beyond its fruit for food to other parts of the plant such as its seeds, leaves, peels and aerial parts for medicine and pharmacological purposes.

The seed and leaves not only has pharmacological use but also nutritional values which make it a potential raw material in the food industries. The chewing of roots of papaya followed by swallowing of juice relives cough, bronchitis and other respiratory disorders. More over unripe fruit could be a remedy for ulcer and impotency.

Papaya (all parts) was observed to be a rich source of three powerful antioxidants- vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E. Vitamin C present in the leaves of Carica papaya L. might act as anti-oxidant to scavenge the oxygen radical (superoxide, hydroxyl, peroxyl) sulphur radicals and nitrogen – oxygen radicals.

Magnesium ions in Carica papaya L. leaves were found to improve erythrocyte hydration. Sodium ions in the same, helped in maintaining electrolyte balance and prevent hypo-natremia during dengue infection.

Papaya as a whole is a rich source of vitamin A, C, E and K. In addition, it is fat free, cholesterol free, low in sodium. In some countries, leaf of papaya is used to make tea which is consumed against malaria. Seeds of papaya can be replaced to pepper for it has same taste without adverse effect.

The papaya fruit, along with all other parts of the plant, contain a milky juice in which an active principle known as papain is present. In spite of its value as a remedy in dyspepsia and kindred ailments, it has been utilized for the clarification of beer. The juice has been in use on meat to make it tender.

Aravind G. et al, (2013) revealed that ripe fruit of papaya is excellent laxative assuring clearance of bowels and the mature unripe fruit rich in papain helps in various disorders of indigestion. Peel is used for cosmetic purpose as it has abundant Vitamin A which helps in rebuilding damaged skin. Scrubbing with peel gives whitening glow to face. Skin get nurtured, moisturized when peel is mixed with honey and applied. Moreover peel along with vinegar act as good anti-dandruff agent. Also papaya oil with vinegar is good muscle relaxant.

Papain, vegetable pepsin present in good amount in unripe fruit and leaf which aids to digestion and helps to digest the protein in food at acid, alkaline or neutral medium. Papaya has the property of tenderizing meat so is being put to use by cooking meat with raw papaya to make it tender and digestible.