IANS , New Delhi | Updated: February 03, 2015 11:01 IST
Can papaya plant leaves cure dengue? There is no scientific answer to this question, but the use of papaya leaves has grown phenomenally in the capital in the past few weeks as the mosquito-borne disease sees a spurt, claiming at least five lives in the national capital. Over 900 cases have been reported here so far.
The leaves, which are said to increase dipping platelet counts, are a much sought after product these days in Delhi nurseries - so much so that many residents told IANS that papaya leaves have been disappearing from their localities.
Vikram Saini, director of the Masjid Nursery at Pandara Road in south Delhi, said there are many people who come to buy the papaya plant.
"We are getting a lot of queries. We have ample stocks," Saini said.
Y.C. Singh of Greenways Nursery at Lado Sarai said that at least 20-25 people come in a week to buy papaya plants.
"The number of people coming to buy the plant is increasing. We sell a papaya seedling for Rs. 20, and the plant for Rs. 25," he said.
Doctors, however, said there are no scientific studies to prove that papaya plant leaves can cure dengue or increase the blood platelet count.
"I have witnessed this phenomenon for the last 10 years. A lot of patients tell me that they have benefited but this is yet to be proved scientifically," Suronjit Chattejee of Indraprashtha Apollo Hospitals told IANS.
According to S. P. Byotra of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, 95 percent of dengue patients recover on their own as it is a self-limiting disease. "It is only in five percent cases when patients suffer from hemorrhagic dengue fever or dengue shock syndrome that they have to be treated for a dipping platelet count," he added.