Benefits of an ancient Indian herb is unknown to many people and that herb is betel leaf. Betel popularly known as paan is an evergreen heart-shaped leaf belonging to the Piperaceae family, and is recognized as culturally and medicinally valuable in many Asian nations. Betel leaves contain several organic chemicals that include antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, aromatic compounds, and antimicrobial as well as antifungal compounds.
However, betel leaves are often underestimated and even considered as unhealthy additives, especially when used with tobacco. Betel leaves are known to be beneficial when consumed in the right manner as they help in digestion, treating coughs, and enhancing oral hygiene. This blog highlights betel leaf uses and the medicinal benefits of betel leaves.
What are betel leaf medicinal uses?
- Digestive Aid: Chewing betel leaves can promote digestion and relieve mild constipation.
- Blood Pressure Control: Betel leaves can help regulate blood pressure and improve blood circulation.
- Nausea Relief: Chewing betel leaves adds flavor to the mouth and reduces nausea.
- Throat Health: Betel leaves can soothe throat disorders and improve voice clarity.
- Heart Health: Betel leaves can help maintain a healthy heart rate.
- Oral Health: Betel leaves protect against gum diseases like pyorrhea and strengthen gums.
- Cough Relief: Betel leaf juice with honey can relieve cough and cold symptoms.
- Sore Throat Treatment: Chewing betel leaves with black pepper, licorice, and cloves can relieve sore throats.
- Mouth Sores: Chewing betel leaves with camphor can help heal mouth sore
Here are some simple yet effective home remedies using betel leaves:
- Dry Cough Relief for Children: Blend betel leaves and give the juice with honey to children to lick. This is a simple remedy that is quite helpful in managing a dry cough and comes in handy as it alleviates the discomfort.
- Gas and Indigestion Relief: The same concoction of betel juice and honey also works wonders for relieving gas and indigestion, especially in children.
- Night Blindness Treatment: For those who have a problem of night blindness they can apply a few drops of juice of betel leaf on their eye which will slowly bring about a change in their eyesight.
- Cough Remedy for Adults: Betel leaf benefits for cough are immense. For resolving dry cough in adults, one should chew celery, Pipal and betel leaves. It is a natural cure for the phlegm that causes a nasty cough and one is able to experience a quick relief.
- Sore Throat Relief: Chew betel leaves with a mixture of black pepper powder and honey twice daily. This helps soothe sore throats and eases throat irritation.
- Remove Kerosene Odor: Rub betel leaves between your palms to eliminate the strong smell of kerosene oil from your hands.
- Indigestion Cure: Consume betel leaf juice mixed with double the amount of sugar. This improves digestion, strengthens the heart, and can be taken regularly for better overall health.
- Intoxication Relief: If intoxicated from substances like bhang, ganja, or alcohol, drinking betel leaf juice mixed with buttermilk can help detoxify the body and reduce the effects of intoxication.
