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
- 2023 – A study published in Phytomedicine Plus highlighted the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Piper betle essential oil, particularly against oral pathogens.
- 2022 – In Journal of Ethnopharmacology, P. betle extract was shown to have significant anti-inflammatory and wound healing potential.
- 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.