Piper betle L.: A major Medicinal and Cultural plant of Bhanpura Tehsil of Mandsaur District (Madhya Pradesh)

Abstract

In this paper we studied the traditional medicinal uses and cultural values
of betelvine. Betelvine have been playing an important role in the
development of culture. The heart shaped betel leaves are described in
ancient Indian texts. Betel leaves (paan) used in conjunction with slaked
lime paste, Kattha and areca nut are almost universally employed as a
stimulator. Researchers found that the leaf extract is very effective in
numerous biological activities like cardiovascular, antidiabetic, bronchial
disorders, antiinflammatory, anticancerous, antiulcerous,
immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial etc. During the
survey, we collected information by interviews with local farmer,
regional herbal medical practitioners, Vaidyas, Traditional healers and
shopkeepers of Bhanpura. Information about economical aspects and
marketing problems of betel leaves in Bhanpura tehsil were collected
also.
In our study area people are used betelvine as the remedy for bad breath, cough and cold in children,
wound healing, mouth ulcers, gastro protective, throat cleaning and inflammation etc. It has great curative
properties. It is the base of the economy of Bhanpura and plays an important role in providing
employment to a large number of local people. Chewing tobacco with paan is harmful for our health, so it
is necessary to educated people about negative effect on health.