How to Make an Herbal Remedy With Betel Leaf
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”). The advantages of betel leaves and essential oil are utilized 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 leaf with the following 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.
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 advantages of betel leaves and essential oil are utilized for medicinal purposes in the Ayurveda. The essential oil of betel leaves features stimulant, carminative, antifungal, antibacterial and digestive qualities. Read our post on the Betel Leaf Essential Oil Health and Beauty Benefits for details.
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.
Homemade Betel Leaf Herbal Remedy
Usually, this betel leaf herbal remedy is mixed into cooked rice when it is served. Continue reading below for nutritional content.
Ingredients
- Turmeric (fresh or powder)
- Brown sugar
- Sugar
- Tamarind
- Salt
- Betel leaves, fresh
- Water
Instructions
- Crush the turmeric first, if fresh.
- Mix the first 5 ingredients in a bowl.
- Boil the betel leaves in the water separately and then strain and reserve the water.
- After mixing the first 5 ingredients, add them to the reserved betel leaf water.
- Heat until boiling then strain the solids and reserve the remaining water as your herbal remedy.
Nutritional Value of Betel
This aromatic creeper is loaded with vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, thiamine, calcium and carotene.
| Principle | Value | % of RDA |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 44 Kcal | 15.5% |
| Protein | 3.5g | 3–3.5% |
| Total Fat | 1g | 0.4–1% |
| Vitamins | ||
| Nicotinic Acid | 0.63–0.89mcg | |
| Niacin | 13mcg | |
| Riboflavin | 1.9–30mcg | |
| Vitamin A | 1.9–2.9mcg | |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Potassium | 1.1–4.6mcg | |
| Minerals | ||
| Iodine | 1.3mcg |
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.
Sources:
Betel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betel
Betel Leaf Benefits: A Miraculous And Medicinal Herb
https://www.ayurvedum.com/betel-leaf-benefits/
By Ayurvedum Editorial April 27, 2019
Betel Leaf Medicinal Uses And Health Benefits
https://drfarrahmd.com/2019/05/betel-leaf-medicinal-uses-and-health/