Evidence supporting the use of: Paw paw
For the health condition: Hemorrhoids

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Pawpaw (Carica papaya), including its fruit, leaves, and seeds, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. For hemorrhoids specifically, pawpaw is traditionally used in some cultures for its purported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and wound-healing properties. Folk remedies may include topical application of crushed pawpaw leaves or consumption of pawpaw fruit to ease bowel movements and reduce straining, which can help alleviate hemorrhoidal symptoms. However, the scientific evidence supporting these uses is sparse and mostly anecdotal. Limited laboratory studies have noted that pawpaw extracts possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but these studies have not specifically examined hemorrhoids or provided clinical evidence for efficacy in this condition. There are no well-conducted randomized controlled trials or clinical studies directly evaluating pawpaw for hemorrhoid treatment in humans. The traditional use is likely based on the plant’s general effects on inflammation and digestion, rather than on targeted evidence for hemorrhoidal disease. Therefore, while pawpaw is used traditionally for hemorrhoids in some regions, this practice is not well supported by scientific research, and its effectiveness and safety for this purpose remain unconfirmed.

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