Healing Power and Curative Properties
Respiratory Disorders
Betel leaves are useful in pulmonary affection in childhood and old age. The leaves, soaked in mustard oil and warmed, may be applied to the chest to relieve cough and
difficulty in breathing.
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.
Sore Throat
Local application of the leaves is- effective in treating
sore throat
. The crushed fruit or berry should be mixed with honey and taken to relieve irritating cough.
Inflammation
Applied locally, betel leaves are beneficial in the treatment of inflammation such as
arthritis
and
orchitis
, that is inflammation of the testes.
Wounds
Betel leaves can be used to heal wounds. The juice of a few leaves should be extracted and applied on the wound. Then a betel leaf should be wrapped over and bandaged. The wound will heal up with a single application within 2 days.
Boils
The herb is also an effective remedy for
boils
. A leaf is gently warmed till it gets softened, and is then coated with a layer of castor oil. The oiled leaf is spread over the inflamed part. This leaf has to be replaced, every few hours. After a few applications, the boil will rupture draining all the purulent matter. The application can be made at night and removed in the morning.
Lumbago
A hot poultice of the leaves or their juice mixed with some bland oil such as refined coconut oil can be applied to the loins with beneficial results in lumbago.
Problem of Breast Milk Secretion
The application of leaves smeared with oil is said to promote secretion of milk when applied on the breasts during lactation.
Precautions:
Cancer
of the mouth and lips has been found to be more frequent in areas where the betel chewing habit is widely prevalent. Other ill-effects of /wn-chewing like dyspepsia, pyorrhoea,
Cancer of the tongue and cheeks have also been observed amongst excessive chewers.
Other Uses
Aphrodisiac: Pan-supari, especially the pan, is prescribed by
Ayurvedic physicians as an aphrodisiac. Partly owing to its deodorant, aphrodisiac, and invigorating properties, pan-supari came to form a part of the ritual with which a wife welcomed her husband.
The betel leaves are chewed together with betel nut as a masticatory. In its simplest form, sliced betel nut is wrapped in a betel leaf, smeared with lime and chewed. Often though, a clove and other spices such as cinnamon and cardamom are added. When chewed after meals, it sweetens the breath and acts as a gentle stimulant.