Dengue fever is a debilitating and potentially-fatal vector-borne disease. The Aedes mosquito-borne disease caused by the dengue virus manifests as severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, rash and fever. Although there’s no specific cure or treatment for the disease, dengue is generally treated through the management of symptoms. One of the most devastating symptoms of dengue fever is platelet loss. Papaya leaf, which was once considered a remedy for dengue support, is now widely used to increase platelets in patients. But as far as the other benefits are concerned, it also reduces the duration of fever and hospital stay and the intensity of the illness. So far, there have been no reports of any serious side effects of papaya leaf juice. Even at higher doses, no toxic effects have been seen. But it has to be administered in the right way. Here are the important steps to follow accord to the British Medical Journal.

1. Conduct Allergy Test First

Some people are allergic to papayas. It’s important to determine whether the patient can tolerate the juice or not. If they are allergic to latex, potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, bananas, kiwis or chestnut, they could also be allergic to papaya. In this case, it is better to skip papaya leaf remedy. How to Make This Platelet-Boosting Papaya Leaf Juice at Home.

2. Pluck the Right Leaves

Always pluck healthy leaves from a fruit-bearing papaya tree for best results. The leaves shouldn’t be tender or young. Pluck mature leaves.

3. Start From the First Day

Papaya leaf juice can be given to the patient at any stage. But for best results, it should be given from the first day of dengue fever. It will reduce morbidity and chances of the disease turning serious. Papaya Leaf Tea Benefits: From Increasing Platelet Count in Dengue to Fighting Cancer, 4 Reasons to Sip on This Tea.

4. Take With Medicine

Although papaya leaf remedy is quite potent, it shouldn’t be substituted for dengue treatment. The patient should be given the juice along with allopathic dengue medication.

5. Give the Right Dose

Papaya juice should be given in the right amount. For adults, 30ml of juice is recommended three times a day before meals. For children, the right dose is anywhere between five and 10 millilitres three times a day. The treatment shouldn’t be stopped halfway.

6. Don't Stop Treatment Halfway

To ensure that the patient recovers faster and that the dengue fever doesn't worsen to haemorrhagic (bleeding) fever, the papaya leaf juice treatment should be given consistently. If slight improvement is seen, don't stop the treatment halfway.

Papaya leaves are extremely bitter. To counter the offensive taste, sugar may be added to the juice. Or it can be washed down with boiled and cooled water immediately after consuming.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2019 06:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).