The Lesser-Known Health Benefits of Betel Leaves

Betel leaves contain various essential vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the body. Its benefits range from relieving asthma symptoms to maintaining stomach health.

Betel leaves are quite well-known and commonly used by the Indian population. Its primary purpose is as a natural mouth freshener. However, beyond that, the content in these leaves also has health benefits.

One of them is for diabetes patients. Various essential vitamins and minerals work by regulating blood glucose levels. In addition, these nutrients also play a role in improving the performance of insulin hormones.

What are the benefits of betel leaves?

Betel leaves contain various nutrients that support overall health, including iodine, vitamin A, potassium, Vitamin B1, B2, and niacin. Additionally, betel leaves also contain essential oils, sugar, starch, phenylpropanes, terpenes, estragole, and eugenol.

It's these nutrients that enable them to maximize their role in supporting health. Moreover, this herbal plant is divided into two types, which are red and green betel leaves. However, both of them offer numerous health benefits, including:

a. Herbal remedy for prostate inflammation.

Many people believe that red betel leaves can serve as an alternative treatment for prostate inflammation. This herbal plant contains antioxidant compounds such as saponins and tannins, as well as hydroxychavicol, which can aid in the recovery of cells in the prostate gland, allowing it to function normally.

b. Reducing menstrual pain.

Boiled betel leaf water is also capable of relieving menstrual pain. This efficacy comes from the antioxidant compounds in the plant. To maximize its benefits, you can boil betel leaves together with turmeric. These spice plants contain curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to alleviate pain more quickly.

c. Treating acne.

Clogged pores due to excess oil production are the main trigger for facial acne. Boiled betel leaf water can be a solution to this problem because of its content of tannins, flavonoids, and saponins, which have antibacterial properties.

To do this, cleanse your face using the boiled leaf water. This method can eliminate the bacteria that cause acne.

d. Maintaining women's health.

The antibacterial properties of betel leaves can prevent bacterial vaginosis, which causes itching in the feminine area. In addition, boiled betel leaf water is also effective in addressing the issue of vaginal discharge. A study in The Malaysian Journal of Nursing (MJN) suggests that consuming boiled betel leaf water is effective in managing vaginal discharge.

To do this, boil 3 to 4 leaves with two cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Let it cool to normal temperature, then drink it. Although it's quite effective for maintaining intimate area health, you should only use it to wash the external part of the vagina.

Moreover, avoid using betel leaf water in the long term. This can alter the pH of the feminine area. If the itching persists, consult a doctor promptly.

e. Accelerating wound healing.

Hindered wound healing is a common issue for individuals with diabetes. A study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine indicates that betel leaves have antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

As a result, after 7 days of using betel leaves, wounds showed significant improvement. This herbal plant works by reducing oxidative stress in the body, which affects the wound healing process.

f. Lowering cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol levels increase the risk of stroke. To help reduce cholesterol levels, you can consume boiled betel leaf water. This medicinal plant contains eugenol compounds that play a role in inhibiting the production of cholesterol by the liver.

Moreover, these compounds also reduce the total amount of fats (lipids) absorbed by the intestines.

g. Improving oral health.

In enhancing oral health, betel leaves work by reducing bacterial growth. Moreover, this herbal plant can also protect the oral cavity from the occurrence of tooth decay. It does so by reducing the amount of acid formed from bacterial saliva.

h. Addressing body odor.

The antimicrobial and antiseptic properties of betel leaves can, in fact, be effective in helping to reduce body odor. This plant can also be found in various body care products such as soaps and deodorants to combat body odor issues.

A study in Acta Pharmaceutica Indonesia has found that the use of this medicinal plant as an antiseptic has a long history. The active compounds in betel leaves contain antibacterial properties that can eliminate body odor, especially caused by bacteria or fungi.

Those were some of the benefits of betel leaves that you can obtain for your body's health. My hope is that this article can enhance your insight and knowledge about betel plants.