The heart shaped leaves of Betel piper are commonly known as Paan in India.This is generally taken after meals. Its leaves are not only used as mouth freshener rather be use for blood purification, quenching excessive thirst, clearing the throat, improving appetite, taste and as tonic for liver, heart and brain.

Piper betel leaves also referred to as ‘green gold’ are widely consumed as a condiment in Africa and Asia (especially India and Taiwan). The medicinal properties of P.betel can be traced back to ancient Vedic literature. Rich in phenol and terpenes, These leaves have been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antitumor activities.

Ideally, a Paan is made by wrapping areca nut, tobacco and slaked lime in betel leaf. Since tobacco and areca nuts are known to cause cancer, chewing paan with them should be avoided. The betel leaf has many medicinal benefits and has been extensively used in Ayurveda.

Betel leaf with other taste adjuvant have good effect for health. Chewing betel leaf is beneficial for oral cavity, whereas smoking and other way of ingesting nicotine are decreasing ascorbic acid level which causes proliferation of cells in oral cavity, and causes mouth cancer. Ascorbic acid is excellent antioxidant which inhibit the formation of free radicals in body. So its reduces the chances of causing cancer.

Pharmacological effect of Piper betel

Bioenhancer : Betel leaves has bioenhancer activity on salivary per oxidise and plays an important role in maintaining oral hygiene and digestion.

Antibacterial and Antifungal activity: Piper betel have antimicrobial activity and the effectiveness of Piper oil in suppressing the oral pathogenic activity of fungi, S. faecalis and Candida albicans. Hydroxychavicol, one of the major constituents of Piper betel showed antifungal activities against a broad spectrum of clinically significant human fungus including Candida, Aspergillus and dermatophytes.

Effects on Central and Autonomic Nervous Systems:Piper betel flower or leaf contains aromatic phenolic compounds which have been found to stimulate the release of catecholamines. Thus, betel chewing may affect parasympathetic, GABAnergic and sympathetic functions which relieve in glaucoma, allergic reaction and Myocardial infraction etc.

Antiplatelet: The aqueous components of inflorescence Piper betle extracts are potential ROS scavengers and may prevent platelet aggregation possibly via scavenging of ROS or inhibition of TXB production . Hydroxychavicol derived from Piper betle is a potent inhibitor of xanthine oxidase.

Antioxidant: Betel leaves contain ascorbic acid which is antioxidant and helping to maintain oral immunity. Prevent ulcer of oral cavity and reduces proliferation of cell that may helpful for controlling Oral cancer.

How to chew betel Leaf is better for Mouth

Betel leaves if take with cloves, fennel, cardamom, nutmeg and cinnamon etc.is more enhance the taste of Paan instead of take betel nut. Its health mouth freshener.

Conclusion

This article is useful for nicotine addicted person who is suffering from oral cancer or for those who tend to. If they use Paan with other taste enhancer like cloves, cardamom or fennel etc then they would promote their digestion power and immunity of oral cavity.

If any one have starting age like wound or ulcer in mouth . Paan have healing property and antimicrobial activity which would prevent to convert ulcer in tumor.

This study is also helpful who are trying to get rid of nicotine dependency. Use of paan with carminative agent like cloves, cardamom and fennel. control Headache which is caused by getting rid of nicotine addiction.