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| Betel Leaves - Medicinal Properties and BenefitsBetel LeavesThe betel plant is a slender, aromatic creeper, rooting at the nodes. The branches of the plants are swollen at the nodes. The plant has alternate, heart-shaped, smooth, shinning and long stalked leaves, with pointed apex. It has five to seven ribs arising from the base; minute flowers and one-seeded spherical small berries.Betel leaf consist of moisture 85.4 percent, protein 3.1 percent, fat 0.8 percent, minerals 2.3 percent, fiber 2.3 percent and carbohydrates 6.1 percent per 100 grams. Its minerals and vitamin contents are calcium, carotene, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine and vitamin C. Recent studies have shown that betel leaves contain tannins, sugar and diastases and an essential oil. The essential oil is a light yellow liquid of aromatic odor and sharp burning in taste. It contains a phenol called chavicol which has powerful antiseptic properties. The alkaloid arakene in it has properties resembling cocaine in some respects. Botanical Name- Piper betle Indian Name- Pan Health Benefits of Betel Leaves Below are some of the medicinal properties of betel leaves: - The betel leaf has analgesic and cooling properties. It can be applied with beneficial results over the painful area to relieve intense headache. - It is also a valuable remedy for boils. A leaf is gently warmed till it gets softened, and is then coated with a layer of castor oil. The oiled leaf is spread over the inflammation part. This leaf has to be replaced, every few hours. After a few applications, the boil will rupture draining all the purulent matter. The application can be made at night and removed in the morning. - Betel leaves are useful in the treatment of nervous pains, nervous exhaustion and debility. The juice of a few betel leaves, with a teaspoon of honey, will serve as a good tonic. A teaspoon of this can be taken twice a day. - Betel leaf juice is credited with diuretic properties. Its juice, mixed with dilute milk and sweetened slightly, helps in easing urination. - Betel leaves are beneficial in pulmonary affection in childhood and old age. The leaves, soaked in mustered oil and warmed, may be applied to the chest to relieve cough and difficulty in breathing. - Local application of the leaves is effective in treating sore throat. The crushed fruit or berry should be mixed with honey and taken to relieve irritating cough. - Applied locally, betel leaves are beneficial in the treatment of inflammation such as arthritis and orchitis that is inflammation of the testes. - In the case of constipation in children, a suppository made of the stalk of betel leaf dipped in castor oil can be introduced in the rectum. This instantly relieves constipation. - Its leaves can be used to heal wounds. The juice of a few leaves should be extracted and applied on the wound. Then a betel leaf should be wrapped over and bandaged. The wound will heal up with a single application within 2 days. - A hot poultice of the leaves or their juice mixed with some bland oil such as refined coconut oil can be applied to the loins with beneficial results in lumbago. - The application of leaves smeared with oil is said to promote secretion of milk when applied on the breasts during lactation. Uses of Betel Leaves The betel leaves are chewed together with betel nut as a masticatory. In its simplest form, sliced betel nut is wrapped in a betel leaf, smeared with lime and chewed. Often though, a clove and other spices such as cinnamon and cardamom are added. When chewed after meals, it sweetens the breath and acts as a gentle stimulant. Precautions Cancer of the mouth and lips has been found to be more frequent in areas where the betel chewing habit is widely prevalent. Other ill-effects of pan-chewing habit like dyspepsia, pyorrhea, cancer of the tongue and cheeks have also been observed amongst excessive chewers. |
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