Vetrilai in English | TamalaPaku | Betel Leaf Uses:
Vetrilai is the Tamil Name of Betel Leaf. It is called as TamalaPaku in Telugu. The scientific name is Piper betle. Vetrilai, also known as Tamalapaku looks beautiful in its heart shape. The betel leaf has a beautiful green color naturally. The leaf is very soft and smooth. Vetrilai Malai is offered to Lord Hanuman(Anjaneyar) in Tamil Nadu widely. You can find betel leaf in Tamil Nadu in any naatu marunthu kadai(country drug stores) and shops outside Temples especially Anjaneyar Temple. The women who sell flowers also sell betel leaf. If you are going to get only 1 or 2 vetrilai when you buy flowers, they will mostly offer it for free. In all wedding halls, Tamalapaku is offered after lunch. Kotta Paakku and Chunnambu are offered along with Vetrilai. Nowadays, sweet beeda has replaced that combination. Since Tamalapaku is good for digestion, it was offered after lunch in functions like wedding. Chunnambu is the Tamil Name of Slaked Lime. Kotta Paakku is the Tamil Name of Areca Nut.
Betel Leaf is also offered whenever we give Tamboolam. All Tamboolam covers will be given with at least 2 betel leaves in it.
According to a journal published, The betel leaf has nutritional properties and contain anticarcinogens.
Whereas, according to an article in NCBI, there are different research experiments showing that the leaf extract, fractions, and purified compounds play a role in oral hygiene. It is also said to have anti-diabetic, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-ulcer, anti-infective etc. Betel leaves were used as an antiseptic, breath-freshener and stimulant.
There were various experiments suggested that there is no harmful effect when Tamalapaku is chewed alone.
Chewing of quid even with betel leaves are not recommended.
Vetrilai | TamalaPaku | Betel Leaf Uses:
Betel leaf is a heart shaped leaf grown easily at home and they are creepers that also decorates your garden. These leaves are considered to be very auspicious in India and they are being used for while performing Pooja. Apart from being auspicious they also have plenty of ayurvedic benefits. They can be used as a natural medicine or many problems. Betel leaves are rich in vitamin C, riboflavin, thiamine. They are rich in calcium and hence given to women after delivery. Chewing this betel leaf aids in digestion and helps relieve cough, cold, asthma and chest congestion. They are rich in antioxidants and improves immunity level. Betel leaves take different name in different origins, they are called as vetrilai in Tamil, paan ka patta in hindi and tamalapaku in telugu.
Let’s have a look at the medical benefits of betel leaves:
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for Digestion problems:
Betel leaves give relief from gastro problem and stomach infection. Chewing these beta\el leaves every day till you get relief will aid good digestion and also increases hunger.
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for Cold and Cough:
I have seen an amazing tip on how to use betel leaf for cold in Sun TV. In the Naatu Maruthuvam show, they have explained it.
Ingredients - 2 Vetrilai, 5 peppercorns, 1 cardamom seeds, 2 cloves, 1/4 tsp Cumin seeds.
Take all the ingredients and crush them. Boil with 1 cup of water. Give the juice 1 or 2 times a day.
Take 1 betel leaf crushed, 1 crushed karpooravalli leaf, 4 tulsi leaves, 1/4 tsp thuthuvalai powder, 1/4 tsp Kandankathiri powder, crushed dry ginger(1/4 inch piece crushed), and crushed pepper(2 nos). Add 1 glass of water and let it boil. This concoction should reduce to half the amount, this concoction also helps relieve cold, cough and chest congestion.
Smear a tawa with coconut oil. Place a betel leaf and take when it is hot(It should not be too hot to burn your skin. Check the temperature before using). Keep it on the chest. Some people also shows betel leaf in Vilakku(lamp) and use.
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for Dandruff:
Take 3 to 4 betel leaves and boil it with coconut oil and apply it to the hair, this will help in treating dandruff. This oil can also be preserved in a bottle and used for a longer time. You can also use gingelly oil.
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for Skin problems:
Heat gingelly oil with small pieces of betel leaves and gently massage it on the body, this helps in treating various skin problem and keeps the body cool.
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for Nerve problems:
Take a betel leaf and extract the juice. Add a teaspoon of honey and consume it twice a day, this will give you relief from various nerves problem and nerve weakness.
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for wounds:
Grind the betel leaves and make a paste out of it. Apply it on the wound and wrap with a bandage and leave it for some time. Betel leaf can kills germs and protects from infection as it has antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Another way to use betel leaf for wounds is to extract the juice from betel leaf by crushing it. Apply the juice extracted on the wound. Place a betel leaf on it and wrap it with a bandage.
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for bad odors:
Crush 2-3 betel leaves. Add the juice to your bathing water.
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for acne problems:
Crush a betel leaf. Apply the juice on the acne. Let it dry for 20 minutes. Wash it off with water.
Vetrilai | Tamalapaku | Betel Leaf for Headache:
Grind 3-4 betel leaves and make a paste. Apply it on your forehead and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it off.
Precautions for using Betel Leaf:
- People suffering from acidity, stomach ulcers, migraines, urticaria, tuberculosis, epilepsy, and other psychological disorders should never use these leaves. Reference - http://www.ayurhelp.com/articles/ayurveda-health-benefits-betel-leaves#.WK1dAVWGPIU
- Do not take in excess quantity.
Hope this article gives you good information about the medical value of betel leaves and tips to use it.
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