The betel plant is a slim, fragrant creeper. It is rooting at the nodes. The plant has alternate, heart-shaped, smooth, shining and long stalked betel leaves, with pointed apex. Betel leaf has a documented use for more than two thousand years in various parts of Asia.
Betel Leaf contains a host of minerals and vitamin contents such as calcium, carotene, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine and vitamin C. Recent studies have also shown that betel leaves contain tannins, sugar and diastases and an essential oil. This essential oil is a light yellow liquid of aromatic odour. It has a sharp burning taste. It contains a phenol called chavicol that has potent antiseptic properties.
Betel Leaf helps in proper digestion
Benefits Of Betel Leaf
The betel leaf has analgesic and cooling attributes. It can relieve strong headaches with good results. It is also a valuable remedy for boils. Betel leaves are useful in the treatment of nervous pains, nervous exhaustion and weakness. The juice of a few betel leaves, with a teaspoon of honey, will act as a good tonic.
Betel leaf juice is enriched with diuretic properties. Its juice, mixed with dilute milk and sweetened slightly, helps in easing urination. The leaves soaked in mustard oil and warmed, may be applied to the chest to cure cough and breathing difficulties.
The leaves are effective in treating sore throat. The betel leaves are quite helpful in treating inflammation such as arthritis.
Betel leaves are well known 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 within a couple of days.
The paan is made using betel leaves in Asia. The Ayurvedic physicians prescribe it as an aphrodisiac. The betel leaves are chewed together with betel nut as a masticator.
Spicy and Nutritious Betel Leaves
A paan in its simplest form has a sliced betel nut is wrapped in a betel leaf, smeared with lime and chewed. However most often, clove and other spices such as cinnamon and cardamom are added. When chewed after meals, it refreshes the breath and acts as a gentle stimulant.
Chewing the leaves of this herb while increasing the flow of saliva, also, protects against intestinal parasites. Quite a few studies have even revealed the anti-oxidant properties of the leaf.
Precaution With Betel Leaves
The betel leaf, by itself, has no adverse affects, as is otherwise generally believed to be so. It is only when chewed excessively with tobacco that they prove harmful and can lead to the formation of cancer. Other ill effects that excessive & repetitive tobacco pan chewing might effect include dyspepsia, pyorrhoea, cancer of the tongue and cheeks. However just chewing betel leaves will not cause any adverse health problems.
Betel Leaves are a bit difficult to get in the western part of the world, though with the rise of various speciality food shops catering to the needs of the people from Asia, it will soon hopefully be available. Dried betel leaves may be available online mainly from suppliers in Europe.
Click Here To Buy Dried Betel Leaf Online
Enjoy the betel leaf and reap its remarkable benefits.
Recent Comments