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Piper betle - Nagavallari
Betelleaves or paan patta are eulogized by ayurveda acharyas for their immense medicinal properties. Betel plant or Piper betle is a vine which belongs to Piperacea family. This vine has heart shaped leaves and is mostly grown in South East Asia. In Sanskrit it is known as Nagavallari ( a vine which creeps like a naga or serpent) or Sapthashira (a leaf which contains seven veins).[1]
Uses
The primary use of betel leaf is as a wrapper for the chewing of areca nut or tobacco where it is mainly used to add flavour. It may also be used in cooking, usually raw, for its peppery taste.
The health benefits of betel leaves are masked due to its usage in Quid. A quid is a small parcel in which areca nuts, slaked lime, tobacco powder etc are wrapped in betel leaf. These Quids are chewed to get a high. A large population of South East Asia consumes quids which are known to cause cancer. This may be due to irritants which are used with betel leaves. Many studies have shown that betel leaves have anti cancer properties.[1]
According to principles of ayurveda these leaves are light to digest and hot in potency. They balance vata and kapha, but vitiate pitta. The following uses of betel leaves are indicated in ayurveda.
In wounds: The paste of these leaves can be applied on chronic wounds. It’s antibacterial, anti inflammatory and cleansing properties help to clean the wound, reduce pain and accelerate healing process.
Common name
- English - Betel
- Kannada - ವೀಳೆಯದೆಲೇ
- Hindi - पान
