dengue-treatment

Vanuatu is currently experiencing a dengue outbreak with the latest figures released from the Ministry of Health reporting that there has been more than 1000 reported cases and 210 confirmed positive cases.

Mosquitos spread dengue and health officials are calling on residents to wear repellent, use mosquito nets and remove potential dengue breeding places such as unused tyres and the roof of houses. It is also essential to clear rubbish, remove unused containers that could hold water and keep the grass short to eliminate a mosquito-breeding environment.

If you are one of the unfortunate victims of dengue fever, symptoms include fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and rash.

There is no cure for dengue. Panadeine and Codeine can be taken to relieve the pain but a natural alternative is pawpaw juice which has powerful enzymes such as papain and chymopapin, which significantly increase the platelet count. Apart from that, these leaves have several key vitamins, carbohydrates, protein, phosphorous, calcium and iron.

papaya-juice


Pawpaw Juice Remedy

Young paw paw leaves

Filtered water

Honey or fruit juice

Remove the stem and sap from the leaves

Wash the leaves thoroughly

Chop the leaves and add to a blender with filtered water. Strain into a bowl.

Alternatively if you don’t have a blender, pound the leaves and squeeze into a bowl with a filter cloth.

If you wish, mix with honey or fruit juice to remove bitterness.

Pour into a cup.

Take two tablespoons every few hours – no more than 3 times a day.


 IMPORTANT

One leaf is the equivalent of one tablespoon of juice.

Do not boil, or cook, or rinse the leaves with hot water, as it will lose its strength.

Use only the leafy part of the Pawpaw (Papaya) plant, and not the stem or sap.

The juice is bitter to swallow but it is effective – try your hardest to swallow it and dilute with honey or fruit juice accordingly.