12. BETEL LEAF

                                               BETEL LEAF

Nutrition in 100 gm (raw)
Energy: 44 kcal
Water	87 gm
Carbohydrates	6 gm
Dietary fibre	2.8 gm
Fat	2.3 gm
Minerals	3 gm
Proteins	3.3 gm
Nicotini acid	0.8 gm
Vitamin A	2 mg
Vit B1 (Thiamin)	0.05 mg
Vit B2 (Riboflavin)	0.02 mg
Tannin	1 gm
Nitrogen	5 gm
Vitamin C	1 mg
Calcium	0.4 gm
Iron	0.4 mg
Magnesium	23 mg
Phosphorus	40 mg
Potassium	3 gm

Chewing of betel leaf or ‘paan’ is very common in Asian countries. Its benefits are so many that it is called the ‘green gold of India’.  This leaf can be exported in a large scale due to its immense nutritious value and has anti-carcinogens which are useful in manufacture of blood cancer drugs. But this leaf has been ignored and hence it has another name ‘Neglected green gold of India’.

In India the chewing of paan (betel leaf with areca nut) was common even in an age as far back as 2600 BC.

Paan is prepared by removing the veins of the betel leaf and applying a paste of khatta and lime. Pieces of areca nut, cardamom, saffron, coconut pieces/powder, cloves, tobacco, dry fruits, etc according to the taste and folded into a triangle or cylinder. Voracious paan eaters do not swallow it. They just chew it and enjoy the flavours. Then they spit it out.

The betel leaf is very nutritious and contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. Eating six leaves with slaked lime is equal to drinking 300 ml of cow’s milk for the vitamins and minerals it contains. The leaves also contain enzymes and amino acids. 

Chewing of betel leaf makes one happy, increases alertness, sweating, hot sensation and energetic. But regular chewing makes the person addicted to it. If the person tries to stop, withdrawal symptoms arise.

Benefits:

1. Paan is often served after lunch in festivals since it is believed to help digestion and remove bad breathe. It is also served to guests to show respect.

2. The betel leaf is known to be very useful in the treatment of bad breathe, boils, constipation, head ache, cuts and injuries, hysteria, itching and swelling of gums.

3. The root is knows for its female contraceptive effects.

4. The essential oil contained in the leaf has anti bacterial, anti fungal qualities. Hence it can kill or inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria which cause typhoid, cholera and tuberculosis. 5. Betel leaf is good for treatment of nerve problems, headache, respiratory disorders, constipation, sore throat, inflammation, wounds and boils.

6. Breast milk: Betel leaf oil is applied on breasts to increase milk.

7. Cold: Drink betel leaf juice with honey to get relief from cold.

8. Urination: Betel leaf juice is credited with diuretic properties. Its juice, mixed with dilute milk and sweetened slightly, helps in easing urination.

9. Cough and cold: The leaves, soaked in mustard oil and warmed, may be applied to the chest to relieve cough and difficulty in breathing.

10. Chewing betel leaf increases saliva and protects against intestinal parasites. But when chewed with tobacco, it is harmful. 

11. Constipation: In the case of Constipation in children, a suppository made of the stalk of betel leaf dipped in castor oil can be introduced in the rectum. This instantly relieves Constipation.

12. Head ache: Heat a leaf and place it on the forehead. Betel leaf has cooling effect. It also acts as an analgesic to remove headache quickly.

13. Heavy bleeding during menstruation: Make a paste of betel leaf. Mix one teaspoon with warm water and drink. Drink cold water too. 

Danger: In spite of all the nutritious benefits of consuming betel leaf, excessive consumption can harm the teeth. This harm is because of the extra ingredients used in preparing paan to make it tastier. Paan prepared using tobacco causes dental caries, alveolaris, oral sepsis, palpitation, neurosis and even oral cancer. The leaf itself contains carcinogen which can cause cancer. Chewing paan by a pregnant lady can increase the risk of miscarriage. It can affect the blood sugar level and lead to type 2 diabetics.