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Papaya and Irritable Bowel Syndrome/IBS
Do you know anything about papaya and whether it is something I can use to counter irritable bowel syndrome? I remember my mother using it to tenderise meat but never knew if this really worked?
Papaya, which some people call pawpaw, has traditionally been used by herbalists to help prevent or treat gastrointestinal disturbances, including irritable bowel syndrome, so this is a supplement that could work for you.
The active part of the plant used is the leaf, which contains two agents, papain and carpain. Papain is a mix of enzymes that work to breakdown protein so your mother was quite right to use papaya as a meat tenderiser.
In supplement form, papaya is usually sold as a mix with enzymes in a chewable tablet. Nature’s Plus papaya and enzymes costs £10.45 for 360 tablets and is available from the Nutricentre on 0800 587 2290.
Another important remedy for anyone suffering digestive disorders, and one that is being investigated in clinical trials on patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, is aloe vera juice. One of the best quality brands, which includes creams and shampoos, as well as a liquid aloe vera juice that you drink to soothe the gut, is Forever Living Products which prides itself on producing products high in the mucopolysaccahrides which are the active agents. The aloe vera juice is £18 per litre. To order, call 0870 7555805.