Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Papain, a proteolytic enzyme derived from the papaya fruit (Carica papaya), has a long-standing history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in tropical regions, for various digestive ailments and as a purported remedy for intestinal parasites, including tapeworms. The traditional rationale is that papain’s protein-digesting activity can disrupt or damage the structural proteins of parasitic worms, thereby aiding in their expulsion from the digestive tract. Folk medicine systems in Central and South America, as well as parts of Africa and Asia, have used papaya seeds and extracts containing papain for this purpose.

However, modern scientific evidence supporting papain’s efficacy against tapeworms is limited. Some in vitro studies have demonstrated that papain can damage helminth cuticles, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. Most of the available evidence is anecdotal or based on animal studies with mixed results. While papain is considered relatively safe when consumed in moderate amounts as part of papaya fruit, its use as a sole or primary treatment for tapeworm infection is not supported by mainstream medical organizations. Standard antiparasitic medications remain the preferred treatment. In summary, papain’s use against tapeworms is primarily justified by tradition, with a low to moderate level of supporting evidence.

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Nature's Sunshine Food Enzymes
Nature's Sunshine Sunshine Heroes Whole Food Papayazyme