Betel leaves in home remedies, in pan beeda
Betel is a vine which climbs any supporting tree, has dark green, heart shaped leaves. It belongs to family Piperaceae to which black pepper plant belongs. Scientific name of betel is Piper betle and it is known as pan ka patta in Hindi, Thambula in Sanskrit.
Betel vine needs a supporting tree to climb and in South India betel vines are planted around areca tree or acacia tree. There are many varieties of betel vines are there namely Calcutta pan, Banarasi pan, magahi pan.
Betel leaves eaten raw itself and used in cooking also and it has pepper like spicy taste and depending on the variety some has little astringent taste. Its contents adds its medicinal value and used in Ayurvedic medicines since olden days.
Betel leaves are rich in vitamin C, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, beta carotene and calcium and it is antiseptic, anti inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant.
It is native to South East Asian countries. Betel leaf has traditional and cultural importance in India and Sri Lanka and has been used for ages.
Betel leaf is used as wrapper on areca nut and is smeared with slaked lime, is chewed after lunch and it had been a part of life for centuries. Nowadays this culture is diminishing gradually.
It benefits a lot when taken everyday after meal as thambula which is a combination of betel leaf, areca nut and slaked lime.
Betel leaf with bit of slaked lime, cloves, cardamom, gulkand, saunf , when consumed provides great results in terms of health.
Betel leaves in home remedies
Treats cough, cold
Betel leaves taken everyday relieves from phlegm. one tsp of betel leaf juice with honey taken three times a day treats lungs related diseases and voice disorders. For children you can give half tsp of betel juice with honey. It also decreases mucus formation.
It cures breathing problems in asthma due to phlegm formation. One tsp of betel leaf juice, one tsp of ginger juice and one tsp of honey is taken which cures it. It relieves from breathing problem by removing phlegm.
Betel leaf juice, tulsi juice, dodda pathre juice with honey is given to children cures cold and dry cough. Applying castor oil on betel leaf and is heated to make it soft and is kept on chest of babies cures cough and wheezing in babies.
Teeth pain
Betel leaf with clove and pachcha karpura or camphor is chewed relieves from teeth pain and inflammation.
For skin problems
Betel juice is applied on wounds stops bleeding and infection. It also cures sores, itching of skin. It is also analgesic and decreases inflammation.
Decreases hair fall
Betel leaf juice is mixed with coconut oil applied on scalp and washed after half an hour removes dandruff and strengthens hair root. This stops hair fall.
Cures osteoporosis
As betel leaves are rich in calcium regular consuming of this leaves prevents and cures osteoporosis.
Benefits children
It avoids the deficiency of vitamin A and calcium in children when juice of betel leaf is taken regularly.
Treats ear infection
warm betel juice is put in ears three times a day treats ear infection. As it is anti fungal and anti bacterial helps in treating infection.
Controls blood sugar levels
Juice of betel leaves taken regularly controls blood sugar levels and helps in diabetes. It also detoxifies the body because of its anti oxidant nature.
Oral hygiene
Betel leaves chewed with clove helps to keep oral infection at bay. Both have antibacterial property and avoids any infection and acts as mouth freshners.
Digestion
Betel leaves juice improves digestion and avoids constipation. It also improves appetite. Betel leaf chewing induces saliva production and which is necessary for digestion and it also helps in secretion of stomach juices.
Relaxes mood
Betel leaf chewing works as tonic and energises us and acts as stimulant and keeps us active. It also relieves from migraine and head ache.
Treats boils
Leaf is gently warmed till it gets softened, and castor oil is coated on this and boils are covered with this leaf cures boils.
Traditional importance
Betel leaf and areca nut are traditionally and religiously deep rooted in Indian culture. It is believed that various gods reside in a betel leaf and it is considered as sacred leaf. Betel leaf is part of religious ceremonies and wedding and other festivals for centuries.
In ceremonies and worshipping god betel leaf with areca nut is offered to god as naivedya. Thambula is given to invite the guests for any ceremonies. Guests are offered phala thambula which comprises of betel leaf and areca nut and coconut, in all ceremonies as a mark of respect.
During weeding ceremonies thambula exchanged between bride and bridegroom families as a mark of respect. During festivals ladies give phala thambula for invited ladies as it is one of the ritual to be followed.
In olden days people were used to chew betel leaf with areca nut and slaked lime after meal but nowadays this is replaced by beeda which is a part of lunch menu in weddings and other ceremonies. Back in the day it was a custom to keep a plate with fresh betel leaves, slaked lime box and areca nuts in many South Indian village houses, nowadays it is rare.
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Cultivation
Betel vine cuttings are planted in mansoon season around a supporting tree like areca tree or acacia tree. The supporting tree must not branching too much and its trunk should be upright.
Proper shade and irrigation is very important for the plant at the beginning. It needs well drained soil and fertiliser is provided once in a month. After 6-8 months you can harvest leaves. These vines remain productive up to 10-12 years.
Healthy recipe using betel leaves
Healthy betel leaf leha
This leha is prepared using betel leaf as main ingredient and this is very healthy and increases haemoglobin in blood. This cures anaemia and improves immunity of the body. This leha is specially for anaemic persons.
Ingredients needed
Betel leaves 20-25
Milk 1/4 litre
Ginger 2 pieces
Poppy seeds 1/2 cup
Cumin 2-3 tsp
Jaggery 1/2 cup
Ghee 1/2 cup
Preparation
Take milk in a pan and when it starts to boil, add chopped betel leaves and ginger. cook it till water content evaporates from it.
Then fry cumin and poppy seeds and add this to cooked mixture.
Then grind above mixture and then take this ground paste in a pan.
Add jaggery to it and cook it with stirring.
When this leha turns semi solid consistency add ghee to it and cook it for 2-3 minutes.
You can also add dry fruits to it.
Healthy dry pan beeda
This is a mixture of healthy ingredients which can be chewed after lunch which provides good health benefits. You can store this dry pan beeda for a long time in air tight container.
Ingredients needed
Betel leaves 50 leaves
Ghee 4-5 tsp
Fennel seeds 100 gm
Areca pieces 100 gm
Copra grated 100 gm
Cardamom 6-8
Ajwain 1/2 tsp
Cloves 8-10
Slaked lime 1/2 tsp
Water melon seeds 50 gm
Preparation
Chop betel leaves and fry it adding ghee till it turns light black colour and all water content evaporates from it.
Next fry fennel seeds, areca pieces, grated copra one by one adding ghee.
Then fry cardamon, clove, ajwain, lime till aroma comes and powder it.
Thin mix all the fried ingredients with powdered mixture.
Finally add water melon seeds. Mix well and store it in a air tight container.
The opinions expressed herein are authors personal opinions and do not represent any one's view in anyway, do not use this information to diagnose or treat your problem without consulting your physician. Remedies here mentioned are used for ages may not be clinically proven.
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