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Betel, or Betle. The leaf of Piper Betle, a kind of pepper used in wrapping the pellets of betel-nut and lime which are commonly chewed in the Orient. The pellets are hot, acrid, aromatic, astringent. They redden the saliva and blacken the teeth, and eventually corrode them. The betel-nut is the fruit of Areca Catechu, a palm. See pp. 16 and 24.
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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]]).
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 ==
== Ingredients ==
== Chewing ==
== Chewing ==
[[Image:Piper betle leaf.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The betel leaf]]
[[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.
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]].
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, 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.
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
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.
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".
A related plant ''[[Piper sarmentosum|P. sarmentosum]]'', which is used in cooking, is sometimes called "wild betel leaf".
== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
