Tambula (Paan/betel leaves) is a drug which is closely related with our Indian culture especially among Hindus as the Betel leaves are used in many traditional ceremonies like marriage, Vidhyarambham, Homa (ritual in which making offerings into a sacred fire), Puja (worship), offering made to any priest and also in all the main cultural & religious ceremonies. Betel leaf is commonly known as betel vine. There are more than 90 varieties of betel vine found all over the world of which 45 varieties are found in India and grown in tropical and subtropical regions. It is widely used for chewing practices (Tambula Sevana) for avoiding bad breath, strengthening the gums and stimulating the digestive fire. Ancient Ayurveda scriptures recommended Tambula Sevana (Paan/betel leaves chewing) for normal wellbeing. Also, betel leaves were also used for the treatment of treat skin ailments, vaginal douching and also used as gargle mouth wash in India. Ayurveda describes the properties of betel leaf as it is pungent, sweet and bitter in taste, alkaline, astringent and hot. It kills the worms and kindles the fire of love as it is an aphrodisiac in nature, and also increases digestive power. Moreover as a traditional practice, betel leaf is consumed after the commencement of a meal in order to improve digestion due to its astringent taste. They are cheap, easily available, natural appetizer, digestive, mild stimulant, aphrodisiac and refresher.
Betel leaf is useful for the treatment of various diseases like bad breath, boils and abscesses, conjunctivitis, constipation, headache, hysteria, itch, mastitis, leucorrhoea, ringworm, swelling of gum, rheumatism, abrasion, cuts and injuries etc. as folk medicine while the root is known for its female contraceptive effects. Betel leaf shows anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet, anti-thrombotic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti cancer, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, gastro protective, anti-allergic, anti-fertility, anti-filarial, anti-larvicidal, wound healing and anti-fungal properties. It contains analgesic and cooling properties which are applied over the painful area to get relief. The juice of betel leaf is diuretic in nature, so it is used in the treatment of obstructive urination. Betel leaves are an excellent household remedy for the treatment of cough and sore throat. The leaves soaked in mustard oil can be applied to the chest area to relieve coughing and difficulty with breathing. According to Ayurveda betel leaf is used as medicine to control parasitic infections, obesity, skin diseases, and conjunctivitis. Also juice of the plant leaves is dropped into the eyes to cure painful affections. Consumption of betel leaf with camphor powder treats paralysis of the tongue and aids in digestion of food. Betel leaves plays an important role in the treatment of nerve pains, nerve exhaustion and debility.
Tambula Sevana is a post meal digestive stimulant, oral deodorant, natural antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, mood elevator, aphrodisiac, and nerve tonic. It relaxes the mind, creates a feeling of wellbeing and improves the vocal chords. Ayurvedic classics mentioned that chewing betel leaves wards off increased phlegm, provide clarity, good taste and smell in the mouth, lustre and charm on the face, it removes dirt of the jaw and teeth, gives pleasant voice, cleanses tongue, checks excessive salivation, is pleasing and alleviates diseases of throat.
Further, betel leaf has many commercial applications used in industries for making of shampoos, mouthwash, medicinal products, cosmetics, soaps, antiseptic lotions, toothpaste, personal care products and perfumes. In food industries betel leaf extract is used to protect and enhance the shelf life of the products during processing and storage. It acts as a food additive and has antifungal property which may minimize the chances of food spoilage in perishable foods. It’s extracts are least toxic and does not cause any side effects to the body
