Melon tree
Useful properties and uses of melon tree
Melon tree description
The melon tree belongs to the famous papaya family. This tree-like plant is native to the tropics, where it has been successfully bred for many years. Extensive plantations are found in East Africa, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, Brazil and Australia. The tree can reach 8 meters in height, but on average, specimens grow within 4-6 meters. It has a dense crown, which is formed by a bunch of large petioled leaves, and spongy wood. The leaves, consisting of seven segments, are finger-dissected.
The very large fruits are incredibly melon-like. Their weight when ripe can be about 5-7 kg. They eat yellow pulp, both fresh and in the form of delicious compotes. For medicinal purposes, unripe fruits are harvested. Only their peel contains a unique milky juice. This clear drink is obtained through small incisions. The resulting enzyme papain in its unrefined form is called papayotin by the locals. The large leaves are also harvested fairly young.
The presented herb has bare trunks and beautiful openwork crowns in the form of umbrellas, which consist of large palmate leaves. Each melon tree is usually densely hung with juicy yellow-green fruits. Nowadays, it is easily grown on numerous ecologically clean islands of the Malay Archipelago. In this territory, no less favorable conditions for the growth of a tree were found than in its homeland. Standard horticultural practices can be used to inhibit their growth.
Melon tree bears fruit for about 10 years. The shape, size and taste of the fruit differ significantly from tree to tree.
Melon tree health benefits
The undoubted advantage of this herb is the most important enzyme papain. Chymopapain A, chymopapain B, callase, lysozyme, lipase, and glutamine transferase were also found in the composition. In addition, the large fruits of the melon tree also contain essential amino acids. Interesting leaves boast not only a large amount of papain, but also such enzymes as saponins, glycosides and alkaloids.
The unique component of papain has a powerful effect, similar to the effect of enzymes in gastric juice. It significantly improves digestion, which allows it to be successfully used to treat various gastric and intestinal diseases and ulcers. It should be noted that papain easily breaks down proteins and softens raw meat. By adding a few drops of this enzyme to the broth during cooking, you can enjoy the most tender meat.
As a wonderful remedy, the incomparable papaya promotes the rapid dissolution of numerous dead cells, while promoting the proper growth of various living tissues. It has been proven by folk medicine that the fruits of the incomparable melon tree are able to quickly restore physical strength in people exhausted by the disease. They also have a beneficial effect on severe fatigue.
The leaves of the plant also contain a lot of useful substances. Exceptional biologically active components are found in the bark and shell of the green fruit, as well as in the heart of the tree stems. Due to its special composition, the fruits of the tree are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of various miraculous drugs. Healing drinks are shown as a preventive measure to prevent problems with the digestive system.
Melon tree application
The juicy pulp of papaya is considered an exceptional dietary product. It promotes better and faster digestion, which makes it possible to recommend the use of the fruit of the tree for obese people with increased weight. They are also indicated for a patient with insufficient gastric acid production. After a hearty meal, a few slices will help you digest a lot of heavy food. You can also use a special medication that includes papain.
In the stomach, the unique papain breaks down proteins and fats very well, making it indispensable for patients suffering from an increased protein deficiency, which is caused by the body's inability to partially absorb the necessary components from food. It should be noted that some pharmacological agents based on this plant are designed to relieve all kinds of inflammatory processes and treat stomach ulcers. Special pills for the treatment of typical herpes are widely used.
Often, a special mixture of enzymes is prescribed for serious disorders of gastrointestinal secretion. Such ready-made preparations, in contrast to the use of papaya fruit pulp, are indicated when there is a dangerous difficulty in digesting proteins. The unsurpassed milky juice, unparalleled in nature, is used as a powerful agent against various tapeworms. Bitterness is also found in the leaves of the tree, helping to remove parasites from the body.
Melon tree contraindications
The side effects of using the melon tree in therapeutic dosages are unknown.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
