The Possible Role of Papaya Leaf Extract to Raise Platelets in Cancer and other conditions.
Certains cancers destroy platelets which is one of the ways the cancer kills the patient. Papaya leaves may be a tool to raise platelets and extend life.
What are platelets, their role in blood clotting, and how does papaya leaf extract improve platelet counts.
Platelets are extremely important so that your blood clots. If you have a low platelet count you will bruise easily, be tired, and your gums may bleed. The medical term for low platetlets in thromboccytopenia.
There are many diseases and conditions which cause low platelets such as infections, cancer treaments, leukemia, enlarged spleen, and septic shock.
In CLL and other cancers, white cells take over the entire blood system, displacing red cells and platelets. The patient dies by bleeding out internally. One of the therapies they do with patients is to give them an emergency infusion of platelets to prolong their life for a few months. I am going to tell you that, in some cancers and in some patients, Papaya leaf extract maybe able to increase platelets significantly.
My husband has had CLL for about 8 years now. His platelet count was in the 200s until 4 months ago. 140 is low-normal, and anything below that is considered to be entering the dangerous range.
In Jan, his platelet count was 253, which was within the middle range of normal. The next month, it fell to 213, which was worrisome. That was the lowest it had fallen up to this point. His red blood cell count and the range of all of them were low-normal. I began expanding my research to find a possible answer.
The Amazing Rainforest herbs
It was about this time that I discovered a whole world of herbs I knew nothing about, except for Pau D’Arco. These are the herbs that grow in the rainforest areas of the Amazon. These herbs have been used for hundreds of years by local doctors to treat leukemia and various cancers. There is both historical use and research to support its use across different types of cancer. In the next substacks, I will go into some of these herbs.
I ran across the use of Papaya to increase platelets by accident. I thought of it as a digestive enzyme, so I had never researched it further.
It was an experiment to see what effect if any the supplement would have on my husbands platelet count which had fallen to 213.
I bought some to try, and a month later, the lab results showed his platelets had risen to 318. That is over a hundred points in one month..
That was amazing, the highest they had ever been since he got CLL. One month, the only difference in his regimen was the payaya leaf extract.
If you look at the reviews from Amazon on this product, you will find others who report their platelets increased as well. I give him one in the AM and one in the PM. My experience to this point, with CLL you have to continue the product. In my husbands case it is extending his life, because of its support for increasing platelets. In one review his oncologist suggested it, which is rare.
Amalth Papaya Leaf Extract Capsules
1000 mg | Carica Papaya Leaf Supplement | Platelet Support & Immune Support Formula | Papain Enzyme Digestive Health | Plant Based | Non-GMO | (no link here just so you find the product more easily.)
I have to interject here that you need to get your doctors approval for taking this. Copy off the research and history of Papaya and perhaps you can get him to actually read it.
How Papaya Leaves Support Platelets
Papaya leaves contain a unique phytochemical called acetogenin, which is proven to increase the platelet count.
Papaya leaves extract is full of flavonoids, vitamins, and antioxidants which help platelet health. They contain ample amounts especially vitamins A, C, E, and K.
Papaya leaf extract stimulates megakarocyte production in your bone marrow, which are precursor cells that help generate new platelets.
It contributes to thromopoietin activity. Thrombopoietin is a hormone that regulates the formation of new platelets.
Papaya leaf extract, containing antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties reduce oxidative stress and help prevent platelet death.
Historical Usage:
One of the symptoms in Dengue fever, is the destruction of platelets. Doctors in the Amazon used it historically and today for the treatment of this fever. This to me is proof in actual usage by the area doctors. Historical use demonstrates its value.
Clinical Evidence
There are some small studies that confirm papaya leaf extract can increase platelet counts in humans but not a lot of studies specific to leukemia, more evidence in other platelet deficiency problems. It is working with my husband and his CLL.
“Evidence based benefits of papaya leaf extract
Most interest in papaya leaf extract centers on its potential to support platelet recovery in dengue fever and other forms of thrombocytopenia. Multiple clinical studies, including randomized controlled trials, have evaluated standardized tablets or capsules alongside standard care for dengue. In many of these studies, patients taking papaya leaf extract showed faster rises in platelet counts over three to five days, fewer bleeding symptoms, and sometimes shorter hospital stays compared with those receiving placebo or supportive care alone.”
https://www.vinmec.com/eng/blog/does-eating-papaya-increase-platelets-en
In dengue patients, consuming 50 ml/day of papaya leaf juice for four days significantly improved platelet levels compared to controls (Bajaj et al., 2016).”
https://www.vinmec.com/eng/blog/does-eating-papaya-increase-platelets-en
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11196968/
https://www.vinmec.com/eng/blog/does-eating-papaya-increase-platelets-en
Dosage: Start out with dosage reccomended on bottle label.
Precautions
Allergic reactions, do not take in pregnancy unless cleared by your doctor, possible digestive issues with some people, consult your doctor first before taking papaya leaf extract, and use lowest dosage first if you are sensitive to foods and herbs.
Medications you are taking may interfere with Papaya Leaf Extract so get medical supervision before taking.