Papaya Seed
Carica papaya L. (seed)
TL;DR
The peppery black seeds of the papaya fruit, used traditionally to expel intestinal worms. Two small trials in African children found fewer parasites, but neither matched standard deworming drugs, and animal studies flag fertility and pregnancy risks.
Ideal For
- Curious users who understand it is a traditional remedy with weak evidence
- Readers comparing home remedies with standard deworming treatment
Avoid If
- You are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
- You are a man trying to conceive
- You have a confirmed parasite infection and no prescribed treatment
- You are allergic to papaya
Frequently Asked Questions
Do papaya seeds kill parasites?
How many papaya seeds should I eat?
Are papaya seeds safe?
Can papaya seeds act as male contraception?
Are papaya seeds better than deworming tablets?
Overview
Papaya seeds are the small black seeds in the centre of the papaya (Carica papaya) fruit, also called pawpaw in parts of Africa. They taste sharp and peppery, and in many tropical countries they are eaten dried or ground as a home remedy against intestinal worms. Unlike the fruit's flesh, the seeds are rich in benzyl glucosinolate, which an enzyme in the seed converts to benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), the compound lab studies identify as their main anti-worm agent.
The human evidence is two small trials, both in African children with worm infections. In Nigeria, a single dose of a papaya seed and honey elixir cleared parasites from the stools of 23 of 30 children, against 5 of 30 given honey alone. In Kenya, porridge made with 10 g of ground seed a day for two months cut roundworm egg counts by 63.9%, but albendazole cut them by 78.8%, and each arm was a single school, so school differences could explain part of the result.
Animal studies are the reason for caution. Papaya seed extracts reversibly cut sperm counts and fertility in male rats, stopped sperm production in langur monkeys, killed human sperm in the test tube, and high doses caused fetal loss in pregnant rats. No human study has tested these effects, and no study has set a safe or effective dose for adults.
Papaya seed is not a substitute for a stool test and a prescribed antiparasitic drug; for common worm infections, the CDC describes drug treatment as highly effective, with courses of one to three days. Treat it as a traditional food remedy with early, low-quality support, and avoid it if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
How It Works
- Papaya seeds contain benzyl glucosinolate, which the seed's own myrosinase enzyme converts to benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) once the seed is crushed.
- In lab assays, anti-worm activity tracked BITC content, and heat-treated seed extracts with no BITC had no anti-worm effect.
- Dried seed extracts reduced worm burden and egg output of tapeworms in infected rats and mice.
- A seed extract relaxed isolated rat uterine muscle and, at high concentrations, damaged it, which adds to the pregnancy concern.
- Several seed extracts impaired sperm production and motility in animals and killed human sperm in vitro.
Quick Facts
- Two human trials, both in African children
- Main active compound: benzyl isothiocyanate
- Albendazole outperformed it head to head
- Animal studies show reversible male infertility
- No tested dose for adults
Benefits & Outcomes
No linked outcomes yet. Research is ongoing.
Supporting Research2 studies
Effectiveness of dried Carica papaya seeds against human intestinal parasitosis: a pilot study
Okeniyi JA, Ogunlesi TA, Oyelami OA +1 more
air-dried C. papaya seeds are efficacious in treating human intestinal parasites
Fortification of Carica papaya fruit seeds to school meal snacks may aid Africa mass deworming programs: a preliminary survey
Kugo M, Keter L, Maiyo A +4 more
Papaya seed fortified porridge reduced the Ascaris lumbricoides egg count by 63.9%
Safety Information
Potential Side Effects
The Nigerian trial in children reported no harmful effects after one dose; the Kenyan two-month trial did not report on side effects. Longer use and adult use are untested. Animal studies show reversible loss of sperm production and, at high doses, fetal loss in pregnant rats.
Contraindications
Pregnancy or trying to become pregnant; men trying to conceive; known allergy to papaya. Do not use in place of a prescribed antiparasitic treatment.
Drug Interactions
- No human drug interaction studies exist. Tell your prescriber if you use papaya seed while taking antiparasitic medicine, and don't use it instead of a prescribed course.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Likely unsafe
Breastfeeding: Not enough evidence to judge
Dosage Guidelines
Dosage Used in Studies
Consult healthcare provider
Best Time to Take
No timing has been tested. The Kenyan trial gave the seed porridge once daily at mid-morning break.
Best Form
Air-dried ground seed is the only form tested in people; no capsule product has trial data.
Bioavailability
The active compound, BITC, forms when crushed seed meets the seed's own enzyme. In the lab, heat-treated seeds produced no BITC, so cooking may reduce activity; how much reaches the gut in people is unknown.
Dosing by Goal
| Goal | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| As studied in children with worms (Nigeria) | One 20 mL dose of an elixir of air-dried seeds and honey | Single dose, stool rechecked after 7 days. The seed content per dose was not reported in the abstract. |
| As studied in schoolchildren (Kenya) | About 10 g of ground dried seed a day in 300 mL of porridge | Daily for two months. Albendazole still worked better. |
| Adults | No studied dose | No trial has tested papaya seed in adults; there is no evidence-based adult dose. |
Forms Compared
Air-dried whole or ground seeds
Best for Traditional deworming use
The form used in both human trials: mixed with honey in Nigeria, milled into maize flour in Kenya.
Fresh seeds
Best for Food use
Eaten straight from the fruit; peppery taste. Not tested in a human trial.
Seed powder capsules
Best for Not established
Sold as supplements; no trial has tested a capsule product or its dose.
Seed extracts (aqueous, ethanol, chloroform)
Best for Research only
Used in animal and lab studies, including the fertility studies; not consumer products.
Food & Timing
Both trials gave the seeds in food or honey rather than on an empty stomach.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.
Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.