How to Extract Papaya

As an herbal remedy, papaya extract has a number of surprising health advantages. Papaya extract provides a vitamin boost for the body, soothes cold symptoms and helps ease indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems. Researchers at the University of Florida even found that papaya extract contains qualities that can help lessen the risk of cancer. The extract can help around the garden too, serving as an effective combatant for leaf rust, mildew and other infections in plants and flowers. If you have papaya leaves, you can prepare an extract yourself at home.

Things You'll Need

• 2 bowls
• ½ cup water
• 1 and ¾ oz. papaya leaves
• Wooden spoon
• Muslin cloth

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Instructions

• 1

  Fill a bowl or container with ½ cup (100 ml) of water. Add 1 ¾ oz. (50 grams) of finely shredded papaya leaves.

• 2

  Stir the water and leave mixture thoroughly with a wooden spoon for at least two minutes. The leaves will soak up some of the water.

• 3

  Set the leaf and water mixture on a table or counter at room temperature; do not heat or refrigerate. Allow the mixture to steep overnight or for at least eight hours.

• 4

  Set an empty bowl or container under muslin cloth. Squeeze the leaves against the muslin cloth so that the liquid seeps through. Push with your spoon if necessary for extra pressure. Collect the liquid in the empty pail; this is the extract.