A case report Papaya-Based Ayurvedic Dressing in the Management of a Chronic venous ulcer

Abstract

Chronic ulcers constitute a major challenge in clinical practice due to their recurrent and non-healing nature in which venous ulcer becomes the most prevalent one. Conventional management often requires long-term treatment with limited outcomes. In Ayurveda several herbal formulations are used for management of ulcers externally. Papaya (Carica papaya) has been used for its wound-healing potential owing to the proteolytic enzymes papain and chymopapain, which promote debridement and tissue regeneration ^[1]. This is  a case report of  a 49-year-old female with a five-year history of a non-healing varicose ulcer above the lateral malleolus, treated with papaya-based dressing along with supportive Ayurvedic medications. Dressing consisted of grated unripe papaya fruit mixed with Haridra Churna and rice flour, applied daily after cleansing with Triphala Kwatha. Within one week, reduction in discharge was observed, and healthy granulation tissue appeared by 1.5 weeks. This case highlights papaya-based dressing as a simple, cost-effective, and effective Ayurvedic modality in the management of chronic varicose ulcers.