Foods That Are Said to — Raise Platelets
Papaya leaf juice is given to almost every chemotherapy patient in India whose platelets fall. The intention is kind. But whether it is safe during chemotherapy — and whether it works — are questions worth answering honestly before you try it.
Medically reviewed by Dr. N. Kiranmayee, Medical Oncologist · Last reviewed September 2026
- Not studied in chemo patients — The dengue studies that suggested benefit involved a different cause of low platelets. No equivalent study exists for chemotherapy patients.
- Potential for interactions — Plant-based preparations can affect how the body processes certain chemotherapy drugs, sometimes in ways that cannot be predicted.
- Honesty is not dismissal — Saying we do not know is not the same as saying it does not work. It means the evidence is not yet there to say it is safe.
- Your team needs to know — Tell your oncologist before trying any remedy. Bring the preparation to your next appointment.
on Panel
Survival Rate*
Treated
(800+ reviews)
Papaya leaf juice has not been studied in chemotherapy patients. Evidence from dengue studies, cited by ICMR, suggests it may raise platelets in some people, but no study has established whether it is safe or effective during cancer treatment. Tell your oncologist before giving it to anyone on treatment.
If a symptom below applies to you, do not wait for a callback. Call 1800-202-8726 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Where to find us
Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. Each centre also names the areas it serves, so you can place it without a map. Consultation and day-care Chemotherapy run at every one of them.
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Not sure whether this counts as an emergency?
Call the helpline. It is always better to check than to wait.
Before giving any home remedy during chemotherapy
- Tell your oncology team before starting papaya leaf juice or any other preparation — including herbal, Ayurvedic, or fruit-based remedies.
- Bring the preparation to your next appointment — the bottle, packet, or a photo of the label — so your team can see exactly what is in it.
- Ask when your next platelet count is due before trying anything new. Your team needs that result to know whether any change is due to the remedy or to your treatment cycle.
- Do not stop or reduce any prescribed medicine because a home remedy seems to be helping.
- If a family member is urging a remedy, let them know your oncologist needs to approve it first — not because their care is wrong, but because the combination matters.
Which sign needs which action?
| Sign you notice | Tell your team at next visit | Call your team today | Go to emergency now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small new bruises on arms or legs | Yes — note when they appeared | If new ones appear daily or are spreading fast | — |
| Pinpoint red dots on skin (petechiae) | Yes | If spreading quickly | If widespread and you feel unwell |
| Bleeding gums when brushing | Yes, if it stops on its own | If it does not stop on its own | — |
| Nosebleed | Yes, if it stops with gentle pressure | If it does not stop with steady pressure | If very heavy and not slowing |
| Blood in urine, vomit or stool | — | — | Go now |
| Sudden severe headache or vision changes | — | — | Go now — do not drive yourself |
| Typically starts | Platelets usually fall in the days after each chemotherapy cycle, before recovering on their own | — | — |
Explore 69 more Blood Counts, Infection, Fever & Emergencies topics
Low Platelets & Bleeding
- A Printable Bleeding Red-Flag Card
- Arranging Platelet Donors
- Bleeding Gums and Nosebleeds
- Bruising Easily During Chemotherapy
- Dental Work and Procedures With Low Platelets
- Everyday Precautions With Low Platelets
- Foods That Are Said to Raise Platelets
- Low Platelets During Chemotherapy
- Painkillers to Avoid When Platelets Are Low
- Platelet Transfusion: What to Expect
- What Platelet Count Is Dangerous?
Blood Transfusion & Donor Arrangement
Emergencies & Red Flags
- A Printable Emergency Action Card
- Bleeding That Will Not Stop
- Breathlessness: When It Is an Emergency
- Chemotherapy Emergencies: The Complete Red-Flag List
- Chest Pain During Chemotherapy
- Confusion, Drowsiness or Fits
- Emergency Contacts: Who to Call and When
- Fever: The Number One Emergency
- Going to a Different Hospital in an Emergency
- Leg Swelling and Calf Pain
- Not Passing Urine or Passing Very Little
- Problems With Your Port or Line
- Severe Mouth Pain Stopping Fluids
- Severe Pain That Is Not Controlled
- Swelling of the Face, Lips or Throat
- Uncontrolled Vomiting or Diarrhoea
- What to Keep Ready at Home for an Emergency
- When to Call the Helpline vs Go Straight In
Fever During Chemotherapy
- A Printable Fever Action Plan
- Can You Wait Until Morning With a Fever?
- Fever After the Course Has Finished
- Fever During Chemotherapy: What to Do Right Now
- Fever When You Cannot Reach Your Team
- Fever With Chills and Rigors
- Fever With No Other Symptoms
- Fever in a Child on Chemotherapy
- How Long Will You Be Admitted for a Fever?
- Is 99, 100 or 101 Degrees an Emergency?
- Preventing Infection to Avoid Fever Episodes
- What to Carry to Hospital With a Fever
- What to Tell the Hospital When You Call
- Why Fever Is Treated as an Emergency
HUB — Low Blood Counts, Infection and Fever During Chemotherapy
Infection Prevention at Home
Low White Cells, Neutropenia & Infection
- A Printable Neutropenia Safety Card
- Avoiding Infection During the Low-Count Days
- Bone Pain After Growth Factor Injections
- Can You Go Out When Your Counts Are Low?
- Foods That Are Said to Raise White Cells
- Getting to Hospital Fast From a District
- Growth Factor Injections to Raise Your Counts
- How to Take and Record a Temperature Properly
- Low White Cell Count During Chemotherapy
- Neutropenia in Children on Chemotherapy
- Neutropenic Fever: A Medical Emergency
- Preventive Antibiotics During Chemotherapy
- Recovering Counts Between Cycles
- Should You Take Paracetamol for a Fever?
- Signs of Infection to Watch For
- Understanding Your Blood Count Report
- Visitors When Your Counts Are Low
- What Happens When You Go In With Neutropenic Fever?
- What Is Neutropenia?
- What Is an Absolute Neutrophil Count?
- What Temperature Means You Must Go to Hospital?
- Which Days Are You Most at Risk of Infection?
Vaccination During & After Chemotherapy
Still not sure what applies to you?
Send your reports across and a senior medical oncologist will go through what they mean, what is known, and what the options actually are.
Frequently asked questions
Does papaya leaf juice actually raise platelets during chemotherapy?
We do not yet know. The studies that suggested a benefit were conducted in dengue patients, where the cause of low platelets is entirely different from chemotherapy. No controlled study has tested papaya leaf juice in patients on chemotherapy drugs. ICMR and major oncology bodies have not endorsed it for this use. That uncertainty is the reason your oncologist needs to know before you try it — not to dismiss your family's concern, but because nobody can say it is safe without knowing what you are taking and which medicines it might interact with.
Are other remedies like pomegranate juice, giloy, or wheatgrass safe during chemotherapy?
None of these have been studied alongside chemotherapy drugs in a way that allows a confident safety verdict. Some plant-based preparations affect how the body processes certain medicines, which can reduce how well your treatment works or increase side effects. The gap in evidence does not mean they are definitely harmful — it means your oncologist cannot say they are safe without knowing exactly what you are taking. Tell your team and bring the preparation to your next appointment so they can advise you on that specific product.
My platelet count is low. What will my oncology team actually do about it?
Your team may adjust the timing of your next chemotherapy cycle to give platelets time to recover. If the count is very low and you have symptoms, a platelet transfusion may be given. These decisions are based on your blood results and how you are feeling — not on any food or supplement. The most useful thing you can do is make sure blood tests are done on schedule and report any new bruising or bleeding promptly so your team can act before it becomes serious.
Is it wrong to try a remedy that has clearly helped someone we know?
It is not wrong to want to help. The concern is not the remedy in isolation — it is whether it interacts with your specific chemotherapy drugs in a way that cannot be predicted without knowing both. Many plant preparations are processed by the same liver pathways as chemotherapy medicines. Two people with the same diagnosis can be on completely different drugs, so what was fine for a neighbour may not be fine for you. Tell your oncologist what you have heard and ask them directly. That conversation is worth having, and a good oncologist will not dismiss it.
Chemotherapy Topics
Browse our complete chemotherapy guide — 1133 pages on side effects, medicines, cost, daily life and care in Hyderabad. Tap any topic to read more.