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Tambula

Sanskrit Name: Tambula
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/281
Botanical Name: Piper betle Linn.
Family Name: Piperaceae

Vernacular Names:
Hindi – Paan
Marathi – Vidhicha paan
Tamil – Vetrilai
Telugu – Taamalapaaku
Kannada – Veeleyede
Malayalam – Vettila
Bengali – Paan
English – Betel leaf

Synonyms – Shloka from Bhav Prakash:

“ताम्बूलवल्ली ताम्बूली नागिनी नागवल्लरी”

Classification

  • Vagbhata: Indicated in Mukharoga
  • Bhavaprakasha: guduchiyadi Varga

Habitat & Distribution:
Native to Southeast Asia; cultivated extensively in India (West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra). Prefers warm and humid climates. Grown in moist, shady conditions with support (creeper vine).

Morphology
A perennial, dioecious climber with cordate, aromatic leaves. Stems are soft, green, and jointed at nodes. Leaves are heart-shaped, glossy, and deep green. The plant produces spikes of small white flowers; fruits are minute and not commonly seen in cultivated varieties.

Varieties:
Common regional varieties include:

  • Bangla Paan (Eastern India)
  • Meetha Paan
  • Kapoori (South India)
  • Sanchi (Central India)
  • Desi

Substitute / Adulterant:
No true substitutes. Occasionally adulterated with similar-looking leaves like Piper sarmentosum or Piper chaba.

Phytochemicals:
Chavicol, eugenol, caryophyllene, cadinene, terpinenes, allylpyrocatechol, hydroxychavicol, safrole, and various polyphenols. Also contains vitamin C, carotene, and trace minerals.

Raspanchaka:

  • Rasa – Tikta, Katu, Kashaya
  • Guna – Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
  • Virya – Ushna
  • Vipaka – Katu
  • Prabhava – Mukha shodhana
  • Dosha Shamakta – Kapha-Vatahara

Karma (Rogaghnata):

  • Deepana
  • Krimighna
  • Mukhashodhana
  • Rochana
  • Vamaka (in large doses)
  • Shwasahara
  • Varnya (improves complexion when used externally)

Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses:
External –

  • Leaf paste applied over the chest in children with respiratory infections
  • Leaf warm poultice used in joint pain
  • Used in mastitis and boils

Internal –

  • Used for bad breath, dental caries, anorexia, constipation, and cough
  • Chewing betel leaf with areca nut traditionally for digestion and oral hygiene
  • Effective in parasitic infestations
  • Stimulates salivary secretion and appetite

Part Used: Leaf

Dose:

  • Fresh leaf: 2–4 g
  • Juice (Svarasa): 5–10 ml
  • Churna (dried powder): 1–2 g

Yoga / Formulations:

  • Commonly used in fresh form with kattha and supari
  • Tambula with Trikatu or honey for cough
  • Used in folk formulations for oral and digestive health

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Research Updates

  1. 2023 – A study published in Phytomedicine Plus highlighted the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Piper betle essential oil, particularly against oral pathogens.
  2. 2022 – In Journal of Ethnopharmacology, P. betle extract was shown to have significant anti-inflammatory and wound healing potential.
  3. 2020 – Indian Journal of Dental Research published findings that betel leaf extracts could inhibit biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans, suggesting its role in dental caries prevention.
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