Papaya Seeds for Parasites: Does It Work—And Is It Safe?

Some research has found that a papaya seed cleanse may work to eliminate intestinal parasites, but the evidence is limited. Although eating papaya seeds is generally safe, seeing a healthcare provider is essential if you suspect you or your child has an intestinal parasite infection. They can diagnose you properly and prescribe effective treatments.

Intestinal parasites—like giardia, pinworms, roundworms, and tapeworms—may cause serious illness and are most common in developing countries. However, these infections can also happen to people in the United States, especially those who drink untreated water from rivers, streams, or lakes, eat contaminated foods, or don't wash their hands effectively. Learn more about why some use papaya seeds to treat parasitic infections, including benefits and risks and what to do instead.

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Papaya is a source of carpain, a compound that may have antiparasitic effects. Some evidence suggests that papaya seeds may get rid of some intestinal parasites, but the evidence is limited. Most available research has examined whether papaya seeds get rid of intestinal parasites in animals rather than humans.

One study published in 2018 examined the effects of corn flour fortified with ground papaya seeds in 326 children in Kenya. After two months, the papaya seed porridge reduced the presence of intestinal parasites in the children's stool by 63.9%. The researchers concluded that papaya seed positively reduced one type of intestinal parasite in children.

Even if eating papaya seeds may help curb a parasitic infection, other treatments, such as antiparasitic medications, are far more effective.

Papaya seeds are generally safe to consume. Their spicy, pepper-like flavor may make them unappealing to some.

Eating too many papaya seeds may also upset your stomach, Gina Keatley, CDN, a dietitian based in New York, told Health. Papaya seeds are a source of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber slows food movement through your gut by retaining water and turning into a gel. Soluble fiber helps lower the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

However, suddenly upping your fiber intake may upset your stomach and cause symptoms like:

Some evidence suggests that papaya seeds may adversely affect sperm motility, possibly decreasing male fertility.

Most people with intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms, typically do not develop symptoms. Others may have mild symptoms. For example, ascariasis—one of the most common intestinal parasite infections in humans—may cause abdominal pain and cough due to the worms moving throughout the body.

Other signs of intestinal parasites may include:

One of the most common signs of a pinworm infection, most commonly affecting children, is itching near the anus or vagina. Itching may be so severe that it impacts sleep.

It's unlikely that you'll see intestinal parasites in your stool, William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Health. "That's a notoriously incorrect assumption. Many parasites are too small to see," said Dr. Schaffner. In contrast, you may be able to spot pinworm on bed sheets, clothing, or the skin.

Healthcare providers usually treat intestinal parasite infections with medicines that help get rid of parasites, such as:

A healthcare provider will likely advise using an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medicine to treat pinworm infections. They may instruct your close contacts, such as caretakers and other household members, to take medicine to prevent or treat possible pinworm infections.

Pinworm infections spread easily, so it's essential to practice good hygiene, including:

If you think you may have come into contact with an intestinal parasite, contact a healthcare provider. Intestinal parasites usually spread after consuming infected drinks or food.

Some tapeworm infections may result in cysticercosis, a parasitic tissue infection that can cause seizures if untreated.

A healthcare provider may want to run a few tests, such as taking a blood or stool sample, to check for signs of an intestinal parasite. Pinworm infections typically do not show up in stool samples, but you can sometimes spot them on bed sheets, clothing, or the skin.

Eating papaya seeds may help get rid of intestinal parasites, but the evidence is weak. Other treatments, like prescription medications, are more effective. Consult a healthcare provider if you think you may have an intestinal parasite infection. They can run tests to diagnose you properly and prescribe effective treatments.

Infections from parasites like giardia, pinworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and others do occur, often due to eating or drinking contaminated food or water or not washing hands properly. Using sanitation methods like hand washing, thoroughly washing and cooking foods, and only drinking purified water can prevent these infections.

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