Betel leaves are intrinsic part of Indian culture and hospitality. These leaves are commonly known as ‘Paan’ in North India. It is often presented to guests every banquet and social gatherings such as wedding ceremonies & religious rituals to show generous reception. In this article we will discuss 24 medicinal benefits of Betel Leaf
A classic paan usually contains coconut powder, cloves, fennel, red katha paste and sweetened rose petals called Gulkand, However, we should avoid other variants which contain harmful and carcinogenic products like tobacco and areca nut.
According to Ayurveda consuming betel leaf regularly helps in balancing Vata and Kapha doshas of the human body. It has numerous heath benefits – good for the face skin, constipation problem, hair care, acne problem, acidity problem, cold and cough,
A study shows Betel leaves are good for oral hygiene and are packed with anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, anti-infective properties. Moreover, It is also beneficial for overall cardiovascular health by controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Medicinal Benefits Of Betel Leaf
1. Betel leaf Loaded with Micronutrients
Betel leaf is a creeper from Piperaceae family and is loaded with nutrients like thiamine, calcium niacin, carotene, riboflavin and Vitamin like Vitamin A & Vitamin C. It also contain anti-inflammatory compounds like phytochemicals, including phenols, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, alkaloids and quinones.
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2. Betel leaf Maintain Oral Health
Betel leaves relieve toothaches, bad mouth odour gum swelling and other oral infections. It strengthen gums and teeth and combats issues like plaque formation, tooth decay etc.
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3. Betel leaf as Mouth freshener
Betel leaves acts as a mouth freshener preventing bad smell triggered by host of pathogens dwelling in the mouth. It’s antimicrobial agents help to maintain oral hygiene by protecting dental cavities by reducing acid produced by bacterial saliva.
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4. Betel leaf Helps With Cough
Betel leaves have antibiotic properties which can cure cough, prevent phlegm formation, inflammation due to constant coughing. The concoction made by boiling Betel leaves with some cinnamon and cardamom help in treating cough and cold traditionally,
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5. Betel leaf for Mental Alertness
Betel leaf energize and treats debility but also helps in good mental alertness & functioning. It also have antidepressant properties and phenolic compounds that help to lowering depression by stimulate many catecholamines in your body.
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6. Betel leaf is Good for skin
The antimicrobial & antioxidant properties of betel leaves treat many skin problems like pimple acne, skin allergies, rashes, dark spots etc. To get a smooth skin apply a paste of crushed betel leaves with turmeric on the face.
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7. Betel leaf relieves muscular cramps
Betel leaves provide a great relief to people suffering from sciatica and lumbago. Massaging body with betel leaf juice mixed with coconut oil help in easing the pain, muscular cramps and boost recovery post workout.
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8. Betel leaf control Asthma & Bronchitis
Anti-inflammatory & Anti-histamine properties of betel leaves help in preventing and controlling Asthma. Asthma is stimulated by histamine in the system which lead to contraction of bronchus and narrowing the air passage to lungs also known as bronchoconstriction. It also provide relieve in Bronchitis.
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9. Betel leaf Stops Nose Bleeding
Betel leaf also helps in preventing sunstroke. During summers many children get their nose bleeding while playing outdoor. You can make a roll of betel leaf and put inside the nose of the child, making them lie down. It would provide instant relief
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10. Betel leaf eases Ear pain
Betel leaf can also relieves in ear pain. Make a mixture a few drops of betel leaf juice oil & coconut oil and dropping it into your ear. It would help to eliminate your pain faster.
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11. Betel leaves are Anti Diabetes
Betel leaf helps to reduce the glucose levels in your blood which can be beneficial against its side effects on Type 2 diabetes and other side effects on the liver and kidneys. It would help to improve antioxidants content & reduce the oxidative stress which is main cause for buildup of free radicals.
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12. Betel leaves reduce cholesterol
Betel leaves have antioxidant called eugenol which help in reducing your cholesterol levels & the amount of lipids absorbed by the intestine. As a result, It help in increase the metabolic rate & reducing the body fat by lowering the cholesterol levels.
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13. Betel leaves relieves Joint Pain
Betel leaves have anti-inflammatory compounds which can ease cramps, discomfort and stiffness of the joints. Soak few betel leaves in warm water for 10-15 minutes and tying them tightly around the affected bones and joints. It would reduce the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis & osteoporosis.
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14. Betel leaves are Good for headaches
Betel leaves have analgesic & cooling properties which can give instant relief from severe headache. You can either apply a paste of betel leaf or massage with its oil on your forehead externally.
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15. Betel leaves can prevents cancer
Betel leaves have anti-cancer compounds that can prevent oral cancer by maintaining the levels of ascorbic acid in the saliva. As it is packed with anti-mutagenic, antioxidant, anti-proliferative properties & high amounts of phytochemicals, It can fight oxidative stress and eliminate free radicals.
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16. Betel leaves have healing properties
Since Betel leaf are rich in antioxidants, applying a paste of its extracts on wounds can accelerate healing of wounds by reducing the amount of oxidative stress. As high oxidative stress could delay the rate healing. Moreover, Its anti-inflammatory properties can be used in relieving pain caused due to cuts & burns.
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17. Betel leaf Improves Digestion
Chewing betel leaf leads to the formation of saliva juices A gentle massage with its oil on stomach stimulates production of stomach acids & gastric juices which help to improve overall digestion. It is good for digestion as it is filled with gastroprotective, carminative and anti-flatulence properties.
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18. Betel leaves Stimulate Appetite
Betel leaves enhance metabolism which stimulate your intestines and thus promote absorption of vital nutrients. If you suffering from lack of hunger, you can chew some betel leaves can restore your pH balance and stimulate your appetite hormone.
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19. Betel leaves can ease Constipation
Antioxidants of Betel leaves remove the free radicals from the body. It also ease out constipation as they are full of fibres, If you are suffering from constipation problem, soak few betel leaves in the water overnight and drink the water next morning, on empty stomach.
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20. Betel leaves have Anti-microbial properties
Betel leaves have antibacterial & anti-fungal properties that can fight bacterial and fungal infection respectively. Moreover, since betel leaves is filled with phenols, flavonoids and phytochemicals has strong anti parasite properties. It can also fight malarial parasites.
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21. Betel leaves works as a deodorant
Drinking a concoction made up of betel leaf or massaging body a few drops of its oil before your bath would help you in eliminating unpleasant body smell. You would feeling fresh throughout the day as it prevents any kind of sweaty odour.
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22. Betel leaves are good for Vaginal Health
Betel leaves help to prevent in genital shrinkage post giving birth. Boil few betel leaves, and let them cool and apply it to your vagina. It will relieve vaginal itchiness and discharge. It also works as a vaginal wash.
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23. Betel leaves eliminate Water Retention
Betel leaf helps patients with kidney ailments by easing out the flow of urine. It also prevent of water retention in the body. If you are feeling bloated due to too much water retention, you can get a instant relief by drinking milk and adding some betel leaves in it.
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24. Betel leaves for Gastritis system
The phytochemicals of Betel leaves have many antioxidants and anti-ulcer properties. Consuming betel leaves would not only heal your stomach ulcers but also increase the amount of gastric mucus that is produced by the body. Antioxidants can also bring down the the oxidative stress, harmful toxins & fight free radicals.
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Betel Leaf : Its Side-Effects & Allergies
The addiction of betel leaf in form of ‘PAAN’ is not of leaf itself but of tobacco in it. Tobacco in ‘PAAN’ increase the risk of oral cancer – mouth, tongue and pharynx. However, Betel leaf don’t have any harmful effects independently.
- Avoid betel nut as it can lead to oral cancer.
- Betel leaf may lead to allergic reactions.
- Betel leaf may irritate gums and stiffen up your jaws.
- Chewing Betel leaf is also known to be slightly addictive.
Conclusion
Benefits of betel leaf are wide ranging, however they are often underrated & ignored for the amount of therapeutic benefits they offer to mankind. Many people discourage chewing betel leaf citing alleged risk of oral cancer. It is only its tobacco & areca nut variants are carcinogenic, not the other ones.
They are traditionally been used as a mouth freshener, treating wounds & treating oral cavity, it can regulate their glucose levels, lowers cholesterol and protects your heart. Just The roll and wrap up a betel leaf in conical shape and enjoy chewing it once in a while.
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