For most Indians, the habit of chewing betel leaf after every meal dates back to as far as 75–300 AD. In the 13th century, explorer Marco Polo mentioned this practice of chewing betel leaves among the royalties in India in his records. However, Betel is not popular only because of this.
According to ancient Hindu scriptures, its leaves have immense curative properties and are used in Ayurveda and Chinese folk medicine. Besides, the Betel leaves are also used in several Hindu traditions and ceremonies, including weddings. To enjoy some incredible betel leaf benefits, you can grow the plant at home.
What is Betel leaf?
Leaves of an evergreen dioecious vine, the betel plant, betel leaves are heart shaped that are shiny and glossy and have white catkins. The betel plant is grown especially for the Betel leaves which is the covering while consuming betel nut and lime.
Betel leaf: Quick facts
But before that, let us get you through some quick facts about this amazing plant:
| Species Name | Piper betle |
| Family | Piperaceae |
| Size | It may reach 20 m in height and 15-20 cm in width |
| Distribution range | South and Southeast Asia |
| Best season to grow | Months of October, November |
| Benefits (if any) |
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| Care and maintenance | Pruning the leaves regularly and applying nitrogen-rich fertilisers every two months can aid in growth |
| Environmental impact (if any) | Its leaves have anticarcinogens that can help reduce the chances of cancer development |
| Side effects (if any) | Can become an addiction like tobacco or caffeine |
Betel leaf: How to grow this plant at home
You may grow the plant anywhere, in the yard (ground), terrace gardens, patio, balcony, or even on the window sill of your home in a container. The betel leaf plant is quite accommodating and does not pose much trouble. Besides its therapeutic benefits, the waxy, green leaves of Betel offer some level of aesthetic appeal to the space in which it is kept. In an urban environment, keeping the betel leaf plant at home can enhance the appearance of your property, as well as provide a series of benefits to the cultivator. Here’s what you should know about growing this plant in a container.
Propagation
Take a cutting of 4-6 inches from a healthy betel leaf plant and remove all the leaves except the top two. Now take some rooting hormone and dip the cutting into it. Take a well-draining potting mix and plant the cutting there. Now, keep the pot in a place that gets bright but indirect sunlight. Water it well.
Sunlight
The betel leaf plant does not do well in direct light. It is a cool weather-loving plant that fares best when kept in filtered sunlight. Pick a shaded location (window sills and shaded balconies are the best indoor locations) and take care to keep the plant away from harsh, direct sunlight in the afternoons.
Soil requirements
Slightly acidic soil (sandy or loamy in texture), a little damp but not waterlogged, is best suited for this amazing plant. You should mix some organic manure to encourage growth and coarse sand to enhance drainage.
Watering
To reap the most of betel leaf benefits, you should water the plant in a way that keeps the soil moist but not drenched. The latter may cause fungus to develop. It is advisable to help the topsoil get a little bit dry before adding water to it.
Betel leaf: Care and maintenance
When you are growing the plant in a container, you should follow certain things to optimise its growth like:
- After harvesting, as the plant grows to a height of 3-4 feet, prune it to encourage the growth of newer and sweeter leaves.
- Feed it some good-quality nitrogen-rich fertiliser after every two months and add some organic manure to the soil at least twice a year.
- In extremes of chills, keep the plant in a warm and cosy room under a grow light.
- Keep red mites away from it by using insecticidal soap.
- The betel leaves are prone to leaf blights. If you see any signs of infection, remove the infected leaves immediately.
Nutritional value of Betel leaf
Its aromatic properties make it one of the best natural mouth fresheners. The leaves have a strong pungent-sweet flavour that allows them to be consumed in the raw form itself. Also known as “Paan” in the local language, the betel leaves are consumed by people in India, Sri Lanka, East Africa, the Philippines, and Indonesia. In India, these are widely consumed by people living in Bihar, Bengal, Orissa and Karnataka, among other places.
The Betel leaves also pose a series of other benefits, including some therapeutic ones, especially in Ayurvedic medicine. These contain a plethora of vital chemicals, vitamins and minerals, like iodine, potassium, vitamins A, B1, and B2, nicotinic acid, and some essential oils like eugenol, terpene, camphene, betel phenol, chavicol, etc.
Health benefits of Betel leaf
Betel leaf benefits for diabetes patients
One of the most prominent betel leaf benefits is its ability to help fight diabetes. While anti-diabetic drugs are notorious for their side effects, in the long run, the betel leaves are herbal agents that can help keep blood sugar in check, especially in Type-2 diabetes mellitus patients. The leaves also contain antioxidants that help cut down oxidative stress in the body.
Lower bad cholesterol
The betel leaves have been proven to reduce levels of low and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. High cholesterol levels in the blood increase the chances of strokes and other cardiovascular issues. Hence, these natural agents help increase your lifespan by managing the level of cholesterol in the body.
Anti-microbial
The presence of phytochemicals and phenols in the betel leaves aids in keeping both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria at bay. Besides, the essential oils present in the leaves also help the body fight against bacterial infections, if any.
Betel leaf benefits cancer patients
It has been scientifically proven that the phytochemicals present in betel leaves can help prevent certain kinds of cancer. Further, the leaves have an array of antioxidants that help release oxidative stress, one of the primary causes of cancer development in the body.
Healing wounds
One of the reasons for a delay in wound healing is oxidative stress in the body. The antioxidants present in betel leaves thus help speed up the process of healing, especially in the case of burn wounds.
Preventing asthmatic attacks
Asthmatic attacks are mainly inflammatory. The chemicals (polyphenols) present in betel leaves are anti-inflammatory, thus preventing such issues to a great extent. Histamine, one of the biggest causes of bronchial constriction, can be lowered by the anti-histaminic chemicals in the betel leaves.
Natural antidepressant
Again, the antidepressant drugs that we commonly take are said to have severe side effects in the long run. Chewing betel leaves have been said to stimulate the CNS (Central Nervous System), thus keeping depressive thoughts at bay. Also, the phenols in betel leaves help stimulate the release of catecholamine in the body, which reduces the risks of depression.
Oral health promoter
Chewing betel leaves is also said to aid in preventing the growth of certain bacteria in the mouth. The acid released by some salivary bacteria can react with the acids of high-sugar food and drinks, leading to oral infections. The betel leaves can help prevent this.
Gastro-protective agent
Chewing betel leaves helps increase the release of gastric mucus and prevent damage to the inner lining of the gut to a great extent. The phytochemicals present in betel leaves have anti-ulcerogenic properties that prevent the growth of ulcers, responsible for the damage to the gut lining.
Note: Chewing the betel leaf on its own and consuming it in the form of “Paan” is different. The latter involves various other sweeteners and agents that improve the taste of the leaves but may lead to oral infections in the long run. However, chewing only betel leaves does not pose any such health issues.
FAQs
Is Paan and Betel leaf the same?
Paan is a preparation of betel leaves and several other agents. The Betel leaf is only one of those ingredients
How can I care for betel leaf plants at home?
Just prevent overwatering and keep it away from direct sunlight. You should also protect it from red mites, as they seem to love the sweet taste of the leaves.
Can I consume betel leaves raw?
Yes, you can eat betel leaves raw after washing them with clean water. Its antibacterial properties also help with the common cold.
Do betel leaves purify my body?
Yes, they are said to flush out toxins from the internal organs, thus creating an overall sense of well-being.
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