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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Betel
| image = Piper betle plant.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = A ''Piper betle'' plant
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Piperales]]
| familia = [[Piperaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Piper (genus)|Piper]]''
| species = '''''P. betle'''''
| binomial = ''Piper betle''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
The '''Betel''' (''Piper betle'') is a [[spice]] whose [[Leaf|leaves]] have medicinal properties. The plant is evergreen and [[Perennial plant|perennial]], with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white [[catkin]]s, and grows to a height of about 1 metre. The Betel plant originated in [[Malaysia]] and now grows in [[India]], [[Indonesia]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. The best Betel leaf is the "Magahi" variety (literally from the [[Magadha]] region) grown near [[Patna]] in [[Bihar]], [[India]]. The plant is known by a series of different names in the regions in which it is consumed - among these are '''Vetrilai''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]).
== Ingredients ==
The active ingredients of betel oil, which is obtained from the leaves, are primarily a class of allylbenzene compounds. Though particular emphasis has been placed on [[chavibetol]] (betel-phenol; 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyallylbenzene), it also contains [[chavicol]] (p-allyl-phenol; 4-allyl-phenol), [[estragole]] (p-allyl-anisole; 4-methoxy-allylbenzene), [[eugenol]] (allylguaiacol; 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-allylbenzene; 2-methoxy-4-allyl-phenol), [[methyl eugenol]] (eugenol methyl ether; 3,4-dimethoxy-allylbenzene), and [[hydroxycatechol]] (2,4-dihydroxy-allylbenzene).
Several terpenes and terpenoids are present in the betel oil as well. There are two monoterpenes, p-[[cymene]] and [[terpinene]], and two monoterpenoids, [[eucalyptol]] and [[carvacrol]]. Additionally, there are two sesquiterpenes, [[cadinene]] and [[caryophyllene]].
== Chewing ==
[[Image:Piper betle leaf.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The betel leaf]]
In India and parts of Southeast Asia, the leaves are chewed together with the mineral slaked lime ([[calcium hydroxide]]) and the [[areca]] nut which, by association, is sometimes inaccurately called the "[[betel nut]]". The lime acts to keep the active ingredient in its [[freebase]] or [[alkaline]] form, thus enabling it to enter the bloodstream via [[sublingual]] absorption. The areca nut contains the [[alkaloid]] [[arecoline]], which promotes salivation (the [[saliva]] is stained red), and is itself a stimulant. This combination, known as a "betel quid", has been used for several thousand years. [[Tobacco]] is sometimes added.
Betel leaves are used as a [[stimulant]], an [[antiseptic]] and a breath-freshener [[Paan]]. In [[Ayurvedic medicine]], they are used as an [[aphrodisiac]]. In Malaysia they are used to treat [[headache]]s, [[arthritis]] and joint pain. In [[Thailand]] and [[China]] they are used to relieve [[toothache]]. In [[Indonesia]] they are drunk as an infusion and used as an [[antibiotic]]. They are also used in an infusion to cure [[indigestion]], as a topical cure for [[constipation]], as a decongestant and as an aid to [[lactation]].
In India, they use betel to cast out (cure) worms.
In India, the betel and areca play an important role in [[Culture of India|Indian culture]] especially among Hindus. All the traditional ceremonies governing the lives of Hindus use betel and areca. For example to pay money to the priest, they keep money in the betel leaves and place it beside the priest.
The betel and areca also play an important role in [[Culture of Vietnam|Vietnamese culture]]. In Vietnamese there is a saying that "the betel begins the conversation", referring to the practice of people chewing betel in formal occasions or "to break the ice" in awkward situational conversations. The betel leaves and [[areca nut]]s are used ceremonially in traditional Vietnamese weddings. Based on a folk tale about the origins of these plants, the groom traditionally offer the bride's parents betel leaves and areca nuts (among oth
er things) in exchange for the bride. The betel and areca are such important symbols of love and marriage such that in Vietnamese the phrase "matters of betel and areca" (''chuyện trầu cau'') is synonymous with marriage.
A related plant ''[[Piper sarmentosum|P. sarmentosum]]'', which is used in cooking, is sometimes called "wild betel leaf".
== Further reading ==
*P. Guha: Betel leaf:The neglected green gold of India. J. Hum Ecol., 19(2) 2006 [http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JHE/JHE-19-0-000-000-2006-Web/JHE-19-2-000-000-2006-Abstract-PDF/JHE-19-2-087-093-2006-1405-Guha-P/JHE-19-2-087-093-2006-1405-Guha-P-Text.pdf#search=%22betel%20leaf%20neglected%20gold%22]
*U J Nair et al: Role of lime in the generation of reactive oxygen species from betel-quid ingredients.[http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1519632]
== External links ==
* [http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/2270.cfm?TAB=All&IRBNO=05-062&SelectedDisease=All Avandia Drug Trial for Oral Premalignant Lesions at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center]
* [http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/2270.cfm?IRBNO=04-099 Sulindac Drug Trial for Oral Premalignant Lesions at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center]
* [http://historyofalcoholanddrugs.typepad.com/alcohol_and_drugs_history/betel/index.html Betel news page] - [[Alcohol and Drugs History Society]]
{{commons|Piper betle}}
[[Category:Herbal and fungal stimulants]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Piperaceae]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Betel
| image = Piper betle plant.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = A ''Piper betle'' plant
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Piperales]]
| familia = [[Piperaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Piper (genus)|Piper]]''
| species = '''''P. betle'''''
| binomial = ''Piper betle''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
The '''Betel''' (''Piper betle'') is a [[spice]] whose [[Leaf|leaves]] have medicinal properties. The plant is evergreen and [[Perennial plant|perennial]], with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white [[catkin]]s, and grows to a height of about 1 metre. The Betel plant originated in [[Malaysia]] and now grows in [[India]], [[Indonesia]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. The best Betel leaf is the "Magahi" variety (literally from the [[Magadha]] region) grown near [[Patna]] in [[Bihar]], [[India]]. The plant is known by a series of different names in the regions in which it is consumed - among these are '''Vetrilai''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]).
== Ingredients ==
The active ingredients of betel oil, which is obtained from the leaves, are primarily a class of allylbenzene compounds. Though particular emphasis has been placed on [[chavibetol]] (betel-phenol; 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyallylbenzene), it also contains [[chavicol]] (p-allyl-phenol; 4-allyl-phenol), [[estragole]] (p-allyl-anisole; 4-methoxy-allylbenzene), [[eugenol]] (allylguaiacol; 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-allylbenzene; 2-methoxy-4-allyl-phenol), [[methyl eugenol]] (eugenol methyl ether; 3,4-dimethoxy-allylbenzene), and [[hydroxycatechol]] (2,4-dihydroxy-allylbenzene).
Several terpenes and terpenoids are present in the betel oil as well. There are two monoterpenes, p-[[cymene]] and [[terpinene]], and two monoterpenoids, [[eucalyptol]] and [[carvacrol]]. Additionally, there are two sesquiterpenes, [[cadinene]] and [[caryophyllene]].
== Chewing ==
[[Image:Piper betle leaf.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The betel leaf]]
In India and parts of Southeast Asia, the leaves are chewed together with the mineral slaked lime ([[calcium hydroxide]]) and the [[areca]] nut which, by association, is sometimes inaccurately called the "[[betel nut]]". The lime acts to keep the active ingredient in its [[freebase]] or [[alkaline]] form, thus enabling it to enter the bloodstream via [[sublingual]] absorption. The areca nut contains the [[alkaloid]] [[arecoline]], which promotes salivation (the [[saliva]] is stained red), and is itself a stimulant. This combination, known as a "betel quid", has been used for several thousand years. [[Tobacco]] is sometimes added.
Betel leaves are used as a [[stimulant]], an [[antiseptic]] and a breath-freshener [[Paan]]. In [[Ayurvedic medicine]], they are used as an [[aphrodisiac]]. In Malaysia they are used to treat [[headache]]s, [[arthritis]] and joint pain. In [[Thailand]] and [[China]] they are used to relieve [[toothache]]. In [[Indonesia]] they are drunk as an infusion and used as an [[antibiotic]]. They are also used in an infusion to cure [[indigestion]], as a topical cure for [[constipation]], as a decongestant and as an aid to [[lactation]].
In India, they use betel to cast out (cure) worms.
In India, the betel and areca play an important role in [[Culture of India|Indian culture]] especially among Hindus. All the traditional ceremonies governing the lives of Hindus use betel and areca. For example to pay money to the priest, they keep money in the betel leaves and place it beside the priest.
The betel and areca also play an important role in [[Culture of Vietnam|Vietnamese culture]]. In Vietnamese there is a saying that "the betel begins the conversation", referring to the practice of people chewing betel in formal occasions or "to break the ice" in awkward situational conversations. The betel leaves and [[areca nut]]s are used ceremonially in traditional Vietnamese weddings. Based on a folk tale about the origins of these plants, the groom traditionally offer the bride's parents betel leaves and areca nuts (among oth
er things) in exchange for the bride. The betel and areca are such important symbols of love and marriage such that in Vietnamese the phrase "matters of betel and areca" (''chuyện trầu cau'') is synonymous with marriage.
A related plant ''[[Piper sarmentosum|P. sarmentosum]]'', which is used in cooking, is sometimes called "wild betel leaf".
== Further reading ==
*P. Guha: Betel leaf:The neglected green gold of India. J. Hum Ecol., 19(2) 2006 [http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JHE/JHE-19-0-000-000-2006-Web/JHE-19-2-000-000-2006-Abstract-PDF/JHE-19-2-087-093-2006-1405-Guha-P/JHE-19-2-087-093-2006-1405-Guha-P-Text.pdf#search=%22betel%20leaf%20neglected%20gold%22]
*U J Nair et al: Role of lime in the generation of reactive oxygen species from betel-quid ingredients.[http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1519632]
== External links ==
* [http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/2270.cfm?TAB=All&IRBNO=05-062&SelectedDisease=All Avandia Drug Trial for Oral Premalignant Lesions at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center]
* [http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/2270.cfm?IRBNO=04-099 Sulindac Drug Trial for Oral Premalignant Lesions at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center]
* [http://historyofalcoholanddrugs.typepad.com/alcohol_and_drugs_history/betel/index.html Betel news page] - [[Alcohol and Drugs History Society]]
{{commons|Piper betle}}
[[Category:Herbal and fungal stimulants]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Piperaceae]]
