The Repurposing Life

Betel Leaf Essential Oil Health and Beauty Benefits

The betel (Piper betle) is a vine (crawler) of the family Piperaceae (also known as the pepper family, are a large family of flowering plants), which includes pepper (or peppercorn) and kava (or kava kava, meaning “bitter”), which share similar chemical composition and medicinal properties. The betel leaf and essential oil health and beauty benefits are used for medicinal purposes in the Ayurveda. The essential oil of betel leaves features stimulant, carminative, antifungal, antibacterial and digestive qualities. You can make a homemade herbal remedy using betel leaves with this recipe.

The betel plant is an evergreen, dioecious (either female or male) perennial (lives more than two years), with white catkins (a slim flower cluster without petals) and waxy green, glossy heart–shaped leaves which, when crushed, have a peppery fragrance. Steam distillation is the most commonplace way of extracting the essential oil. The leaves yield the most oil when young. The color of the extracted oil can vary from yellow to brown. The aroma and flavor of the oil are quite sharp and bitter.

Piper betle is originally native to Southeast Asia, from Island Southeast Asia (Philippines, Timor–Leste and the Lesser Sunda Islands, and Peninsular Malaysia) to Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar). Its cultivation has spread along with the Austronesian migrations and trade to other parts of Island Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea and Melanesia, Micronesia, South Asia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Réunion Island, and Madagascar. It has also been introduced during the Colonial Era to the Caribbean. The term “betel” was derived from the Malayalam word vettila (വെറ്റില), via Portuguese.

Name	Scientific Name	Origin	Benefits	Caution	Storage
Betel Leaf	Piper betle	Southeast Asia	Fights Free Radical Damage, Reduces Inflammation, Aids Digestion, Prevents Constipation, Increases Hunger, Treats Neurological Pain, Eases Upper Respiratory Problems, Manages Diabetes, Lowers Cholesterol, Supports Liver Function, Soothes Earaches, Soothes Vocal Chords, Remedy for Nosebleeds, Maintains Oral Health, Supports Mental Health, Maintains Proper Metabolism, Maintains Vaginal Hygiene, Prevents Body Odor, Promotes Healthy Skin, Heals Wounds, Prevents Bacterial, Fungal and Parasitic Infections, Removes Warts, Promotes Healthy Hair.	Should be kept out of reach of children, should not be brought in direct contact with eyes, or mucus membranes. Should be diluted in a carrier oil and never used in its pure form. Avoid use on hypersensitive, diseased or damaged skin. A patch test should be performed before applying. Best to avoid if pregnant or nursing.	Airtight dark glass kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

The Cultivation of Betel

The betel leaf is cultivated mostly in South and Southeast Asia, from Pakistan to Papua New Guinea. It needs a compatible tree or a long pole for support. Betel requires well–drained fertile soil. Waterlogged, saline (high salt content) and alkali soils (clay soils with high pH) are unsuitable for its cultivation.

In Bangladesh, farmers called barui prepare a garden called a barouj in which to grow betel. The barouj is fenced with bamboo sticks and coconut leaves. The soil is plowed into furrows of 10 to 15 m length, 75 cm in width and 75 cm depth. 

Oil cakes (or press cakes, are the solids remaining after pressing something to extract the liquids, their most common use is in animal feed), manure, and leaves are thoroughly incorporated with the topsoil of the furrows and wood ash. The cuttings are planted at the beginning of the monsoon season.

Proper shade and irrigation are essential for the successful cultivation of this crop. Betel needs constantly moist soil, but there should not be excessive moisture. Irrigation is frequent and light, and standing water should not remain for more than half an hour.

Dried leaves and wood ash are applied to the furrows at fortnightly intervals and cow dung slurry is sprinkled. Application of different kinds of leaves at monthly intervals is believed advantageous for the growth of the betel. In three to six months, the vines reach 150–180 cm (60–70 in) in height, and they will branch.

Harvest begins with the farmer plucking the leaf and its petiole (the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem, capable of twisting the leaf to face the sun) with his right thumb. The harvest lasts 15 days to one month. The betel plant has made its way to research labs of many Bangladesh chemical and food nutrition companies. The harvested leaves are consumed locally and exported to other parts of Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Betel is grown and cultivated as an important crop in rural Bangladesh.

The Phytochemistry of Betel

Chemistry of betel leaf varies geographically and is mostly chavibetol (a phenylpropanoid) dominant. Safrole is a major component of Sri Lankan piper betle. eugenol, isoeugenol, and germacene D are other dominant compounds in other chemotypes. The leaves also contain eugenol, chavicol (p–allylphenol), hydroxychavicol and caryophyllene (β–caryophyllene, BCP).

The stems contain phytosterols which are phytosteroids, similar to cholesterol (β–sitosterol, β–daucosterol and stigmasterol), alkaloids (piperine, pellitorine, piperdardine, guineensine), lignan (pinoresinol) and other bioactive components. Some of them are oleanolic acid, dehydropipernonaline, piperolein–B, bornyl cis–4–hydroxycinnamate and bornyl p–Coumarate.

The roots contain aristololactam A–II, a new phenylpropene, 4–allyl resorcinol and a diketosteroid stigmast–4–en–3,6–dione. The essential oil consists of 50 different compounds, of which major components are the monoterpenes eugenol, caryophyllene, terpinolene, terpinene, cadinene and 3–carene.

The History of Betel

Chew

Betel plants are cultivated for their leaves which is most commonly used as flavoring in chewing areca nut (or in modern times, tobacco), called “paan”. Betel nut chewing, also called betel quid chewing or areca nut chewing, is a practice in which areca nuts (the seed of the areca palm) are chewed together with slaked lime and betel leaves for their stimulant and narcotic effects.

The practice originated in the Philippines around 5000 years ago. Where the oldest remains of areca nuts and lime (a calcium–containing inorganic mineral composed primarily of oxides, and hydroxide) from crushed sea shells have been found in the Duyong Cave archaeological site.

It was spread along with the Austronesian migrations to the rest of Southeast Asia, Taiwan, South China, and South Asia. However, it is unknown when betel leaves were first combined with areca nuts, since areca nuts can be chewed alone.

While the practice of chewing betel leaf (betel quid) existed even before the common era (CE and BCE), with attested references from at least the 3rd century CE, the ingredient mix (paan) it was chewed with changed over time. Areca nut, mineral slaked lime and catechu (extract of acacia trees used variously as a food additive, astringent, tannin, and dye) were the historic ingredients, as referenced in texts from 9th century CE, and tobacco started to feature in the 20th century. 

The practice of chewing betel leaf is on the decline, and now the betel quid (gutka, ghutka or guṭkha) consisting of tobacco, areca nut, catechu, paraffin wax, slaked lime and sweet or savory flavorings is more popular. Betel leaves are also a popular flavor in hookahs.

Breath Freshener

Betel leaves are commonly used as a breath freshener in India. They are used as a base to wrap up the various components of “paan”, including tobacco, areca nut and sugar syrup, among others. Modern variations of this street favorite include chocolate syrup poured in the center of the leaf with the addition of the other traditional components. The leaf is rolled and wrapped up to create a conical shape and is always ingested in one bite.

It takes a long time to chew the entire betel leaf but the flavors and textures of this breath freshener are long–lasting and make it an interesting experience.

Medicinal Value

Epidemiological studies demonstrate a close association between the incidence of cancer in India and the chewing of betel quid containing tobacco, areca nut, slaked lime and betel leaf. Chewing paan (betel quid) is strongly associated with a higher risk of developing head and neck cancer, as well as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), a form of cancer that affects the mouth, tonsils, and throat.

Attempts have been made to confirm the carcinogenic and mutagenic (mutates DNA) of betel quid or its ingredients. Betel leaf extract alone has not been shown to cause adverse effects. Smokeless tobacco products have been shown to exhibit mutagenic and carcinogenic behavior. A scientific study from Japan found that lab rats that ate a mixture of betel leaf and areca nuts had severe thickening of the upper digestive tract, whereas after a diet of betel leaves alone, only one laboratory rat developed a forestomach papilloma. 

Multiple studies demonstrate that betel quid without added tobacco also causes esophageal cancer, and in some instances, liver cancer. In a cancer diagnosis patterns study with patients that chewed betel quid with different ingredient combinations, the risk was found to be the highest for those using any form of tobacco. 

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) accept the scientific evidence that chewing tobacco and areca nut is carcinogenic to humans. As with chewing tobacco, chewing betel quid with tobacco and areca nut is discouraged by preventive healthcare efforts. Reports suggest that betel leaf by itself has beneficial effects, in part because of its anti–mutagenic effects against mutagens (tobacco and areca nut) in betel quid.

While earlier studies hypothesized a potential mutagenic role for betel leaf in causing oral cancers, subsequent studies invalidated it by isolating compounds (eugenol and hydroxychavicol) in betel leaf that have anti–mutagenic roles. These compounds were also found to reduce the carcinogenic burden imposed by tobacco and areca nut. Hydroxychavicol is found to demonstrate anti–prostate cancer efficacy in an in vitro (human prostate cancer cells) and in vivo (BALB/c nude mice) study.

Religious

The betel leaf features prominently among the cultural heritage of India, Nepal and other South East Asian countries. It is most widely used in India for special occasions where it is known as “the golden green”. In Hindi, betel leaf is known as “paan ka patta” in Telugu it is called “tamalapaku”, in Tamil it is Known as “vethalapaaku”, in Malayalam it is “vattla”. Betel leaf–flavored condoms are a common fixture in drug stores in India.

In India and Sri Lanka, a sheaf of betel leaves is traditionally offered as a mark of respect and auspicious beginnings in traditional Indian culture. Occasions include greeting elders at wedding ceremonies, celebrating the New Year, and offering payment to physicians and astrologers (to whom money and/or areca nut, placed on top of the sheaf of leaves, are offered in thanks for blessings).

Culinary betel leaves are also used in cooking, usually raw, for their peppery flavor. They are also used as a flavoring agent in various candies, culinary dishes and drinks. Paan masala, a powdered spice mixture of betel leaf flavor and tobacco, is also pretty common in India. Use of binglang, or betel, has over a 300–year history in areas of China, where it was once promoted for medicinal use.

The Economics of Betel

Betel vines are cultivated throughout Southeast Asia in plots whose area is typically 20–2000 square meters (0.005–0.5 acre). Malaysian farmers cultivate four types of betel plants: “sirih India”, “sirih Melayu”, “sirih Cina” and “sirih Udang”. The harvest is then sold in bundles of leaves, each bundle costing in 2011 between MYR 0.30–0.50 ($0.07–$0.12).

In Sri Lanka, betel is grown all over the country, but the commercial production of betel, with bigger leaves with dark green color combined with thickness, known as “kalu bulath”, is confined to a few districts, such as Kurunagala, Gampaha, Kegalle, Kalutara and Colombo. These are sold at a wholesaler in lots of 1000 leaves. According to a report published by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a successful betel farm in Sri Lanka can provide a supplemental income to a farmer by providing six days of work every six months and net income when the leaf prices are attractive.

The FAO study found the successful farm’s yield to be 18,000 leaves per 150 square feet (14 m²). The additional salary and income to the Sri Lankan betel grower, assuming he or she provides all needed labor and keeps all net profit, is ₨ 1635 per 150 square feet (14 m²) of betel farm every 6 months ($90 per decimal per year, or $9000 per acre per year).

if the farmer hires outside labor to tend the betel vines and harvest the crop, the FAO found the net income to the betel farm owner to be ₨ 735 per 150 square feet (14 m²) of betel farm every six months ($40 per decimal per year, or $4000 per acre per year).

According to FAO, the market prices for betel leaves vary with wet and dry season in Sri Lanka, and in 2010 averaged ₨ 200–400 per 1000 leaves ($1.82–$3.64 per 1000 leaves). The FAO study assumes no losses from erratic weather and no losses during storage and transportation of perishable betel leaves. These losses are usually between 35%–70%.

In Bangladesh, betel leaf farming yields vary by region and vine variety. In one region where betel leaf cultivation is the main source of income for farmers, a total of 2,825 hectares of land is dedicated to betel vine farming. The average production costs for these betel farms in Bangladesh are about ₺ 300,000 per hectare ($4000 per hectare, $16 per decimal), and the farm owners can earn a profit of over ₺ 100,000 per hectare ($1334 per hectare, $5.34 per decimal).

In India, a 2006 research reported betel vines being cultivated on about 55000 hectares of farmland, with an annual production worth of about IN ₹ 9000 million ($200 million total, averaging $1455 per acre). The betel farming industry, the report claims, supports about 400,000–500,000 agricultural families.

A March 2011 report claims that betel farming is on a decline in India. While in ideal conditions some farms may gross annual incomes after expenses of over IN ₹ 26,000 per 10 decimal farm ($5,780 per acre), a betel farm’s income is highly erratic from year to year, due to varying rainfall patterns, temperature, and spoilage rates of 35%–70% during transport over poor infrastructure. Simultaneously, the demand for betel leaves has been dropping in India due to acceptance of “gutkha” (chewing tobacco) by consumers over betel leaf–based ‘‘paan’’ preparation; the report cites betel leaf trading has dropped by 65% from 2000 to 2010 and created an oversupply. As a result, the report claims Indian farmers do not find betel farming to be viable anymore.

The Beauty Benefits of Betel Leaf

1. Prevents Body Odor

Bathing in a mixture of betel leaf juice and bath water can help you remain fresh all day. Betel leaf can prevent the unpleasant odor of perspiration from the apocrine glands.

2. Healthy Skin

Due its antiseptic and antifungal properties, betel leaves prevent acne, they help treat skin ulceration, infection, pruritus (itch) and allergies. Washing your face with betel leaves can keep skin beautiful and clear. Making a betel leaf juice and olive oil or rosewater facial cleanser is a natural way to keep acne and dark spots at bay.

Applying betel leaf juice topically to the skin can help treat skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema due to its antiseptic and antifungal properties.

3. Healthy Hair

Betel leaves help treat dandruff, reduce hair loss and strengthen your hair follicles. A hair mask made from betel leaves and sesame oil is a go–to remedy to for healthy hair.

4. Removes Warts

This natural remedy has been known to work effectively at removing warts without leaving scars.

The Health Benefits of Betel Leaf

It is believed that betel leaves can detoxify the blood and provide antioxidant nutrients. These leaves are used to promote cardiovascular function, having anti–inflammatory properties. The therapeutic benefits of the betel leaf can be found in the oil as well. If you’re interested in greater detail, read this PDF on the Betel Leaf Essential Oil Health and Beauty Benefits. The most common health benefits attributed to betel leaf and essential oil are discussed below.

Therapeutic Uses of Betel Leaf

You can consume betel leaves whole or you may be able to find it in juice form, otherwise, the essential oil is readily available. Betel leaves provide unexpected health benefits. Consider consuming betel leaves in your meals. For instance, you can add betel leaves to garlic rice, or simply add them to roasted or grilled chicken and beef for flavor. Adding betel leaves to your food can give you double the benefits.

1. For Pain Relief: Massage the affected area with 2 drops betel leaf essential oil diluted in 1.5 ml of coconut oil. Alternatively, add 4–5 drops of betel leaf essential oil to a cold or hot compress for instant relief.
2. For Pain Relief: Grind betel leaves and blend them into a carrier oil such as coconut or olive and apply the mixture directly to the skin.
3. For Indigestion: Boil 1–2 betel leaves in 1 cup water, strain the leaves and drink.
4. For Better Digestion: Massage the abdomen using a combination of 2 drops each betel leaf and peppermint essential oils diluted in 2 ml sesame oil. Alternatively, inhale to encourage the juices for digestion.
5. Ease Bowel Movements: Crush 1–2 betel leaves and put them in 1 cup water overnight. Drink the water in the morning on an empty stomach.
6. For Steam Inhalation: Add 2 drops of betel leaf essential oil to a sink full of hot steaming water, cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapors. Alternatively, massage the chest with a mix of mustard seed oil and betel leaf essential oil to relieve congestion.
7. To Manage Chronic Pain: Drink 1 teaspoon of betel leaf juice twice a day.
8. For Upper Respiratory Problems: Drink the residual water from 1–2 betel leaves boiled in 1 cup water regularly.
9. Relief from Congestion: Apply mustard seed oil to a betel leaf, warm it and place it on the chest to relieve congestion. Alternatively, boil 2–3 betel leaves with cardamom, cloves and cinnamon in 2 cups water. Reduce liquid to 1 cup and drink this mixture two to three times a day.
10. To Ease a Cough: Boil 1–2 betel leaves in 1 cup water, strain the leaves and drink regularly. To add flavor to the residual boiled water, sprinkle some cinnamon for a delicious hot or cold “tea”.
11. For Skin Conditions: Apply betel leaf juice topically to the skin.
12. For Wounds or Infections: Combine 2 drops each betel leaf and peppermint essential oils, 1 drop turmeric essential oil and 2 ml coconut oil, and apply this mixture to the affected area. Alternatively, ground betel leaves can be applied topically to the wound area.
13. For An Earache: Mix betel leaf essential oil and coconut oil, using an eyedropper put two drops in the affected ear.
14. For a Nosebleed: Add 2 drops of betel leaf essential oil to a cotton ball and carefully insert part of it in the nose.
15. For Focus and Concentration: Ingest 1 teaspoon of betel leaf juice regularly.
16. As a Diuretic: Drink the residual boiled water of 1–2 betel leaves in 1 cup water daily.
17. Prevent Body Odor: Add betel leaf juice to your bath water.
18. Prevent Acne: Mix betel leaf juice with olive oil or rosewater to make a natural facial cleanser.
19. As Mouthwash: Gargle using the residual water of 1–2 boiled betel leaves in 1 cup water. Alternatively, gargle using 1 cup of warm water in which 2 drops of betel leaf essential oil have been diluted (optional: add the essential oils of peppermint, fennel, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves). Gargle daily in the morning and at night for best results.
20. Hair Mask: Make a mask from ground betel leaves mixed with sesame oil, apply it to the scalp and roots. Let it sit for an hour, then wash with a mild shampoo.
21. Relaxing Bath: Add a few drops of betel leaf essential oil to a hot bath can help calm tense and tired muscles.

Precautions

As is the case with any tobacco–related product, there is a risk of developing leukoplakia (oral cancer) if consuming “paan” often. Consuming the betel leaf on its own, however, is not harmful. Furthermore, as is the case with any tobacco–related product, chewing “paan” can be slightly addictive, but the addiction is to the tobacco and not the leaf itself. Always perform a 24–hour patch test prior to use to check for any potential allergic reaction. Always consult with your physician first before adding anything new to your diet or lifestyle.

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