Botanical Name – Piper betle

Family – Piperaceae

Sanskrit name – Nagavallari, Tambool, Mukhabhushan, Varnalata

It is a well known plant all over India. Specially grown in warm and humid region, especially in Bihar, Orissa, and Banaras. Betel of Banaras is considered to be best quality.

The climbing vine of betel is very soft and pretty. The leaves are heart shape with veins, its thick and with 1 inch long stem. It has pleasant odour and taste is slightly warm and fragrant.

The leaf contains proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and tannin. Its rich in iron, iodine, vitamin A, B, and C. It has volatile oil containing phenol and tarpine.

Properties

Rasa – Katu and Tikta

Guna – Tikshna, Ruksha, Laghu

Virya – Ushna

Effect on dosha – It pacific kapha and vata dosha and it aggravates pitta dosha.

Medicinal Usage

Headache

Tie betel leaf on ear lobes. It cures the headache due to gastric problems.

Night blindness

Put drops of betel juice in eyes. It is beneficial in curing night blindness.

Heart disorders

The usage of betel leaves gives strength to heart and cure heart pain.

Its squash gives strength to heart.

Influenza in children

In case of excessive cold, warm a betel leaf and smear it with castor oil and tie on chest of the child. It cures the effect of cold and control the uneasiness of child.

Chronic rhinitis

Grind its root along with liquorice root and give this to patient with honey. It cures cold related disorders.

Digestion

Sucking of betel leaves enhance production of saliva which further enhance the digestive functions.

It is beneficial in curing the gas formation in stomach.

Constipation in child

Smear oil on pedicel of betel leave and place it in anus of the child. It cures constipation and gastric problems in children.

Erectile dysfunction

Patient should chew betel leaves. Also tie the leaves on penis.

Fever

Give 2.5 gm warm extract of betel, 2-3 times a day it cures fever.

Swelling of joints

Heat the betel leaves and tie them on the swollen area. It relieves the pain and also dissolves the swelling.

Wound

Tie betel leaves on ulcers. It helps the wounds heal faster.

Harmful Effects of Betel Leaves

It is strong, war, and excites pitta, hence is not advised in excessive bleeding disorders, traumatic injury to thorax. Excess intake of betel reduces appetite and weakens liver slowly so it should be taken in appropriate amount. It contain hapixine and betel nut contain arkidine both are poisonous elements hence it should be taken in less amount. Excess of catechu can damage lungs and excess lime cane can damage the teeth.