Betelpfeffer[1] oder Betel (Piper betle) ist eine Pflanzenart aus der Gattung Pfeffer in der Familie der Pfeffergewächse (Piperaceae). Die ursprüngliche Heimat dieser Pflanzenart ist unbekannt[2], vielleicht stammt sie aus dem biogeographischen Gebiet Malesien.[1] Sie wird heute auch auf dem gesamten indischen Subkontinent sowie in Südostasien angebaut und wird dort auf Hindi पान pān genannt (Pan), anglisierend auch Paan. Ihre Blätter finden in der ayurvedischen Medizin Verwendung, in Südasien werden sie zusammen mit gelöschtem Kalk, Gewürzen und Betelnuss gekaut (siehe Sirih-Pinang: Paan).
Der Betelpfeffer wächst als immergrüne, ausdauernde Kletterpflanze und rankt etwa einen Meter hoch. Die rankende, etwas wollig behaarte Sprossachse besitzt einen Durchmesser von 2,5 bis 5 mm und bildet an den Knoten (Nodien) wurzeln aus.[2]
Die wechselständig angeordneten Laubblätter sind in Blattscheide, Blattstiel und Blattspreite gegliedert. Die nebenblattähnliche Blattscheide, Prophyll genannt, ist etwa 1/3 so lang wie der Blattstiel und wenn das Blatt abfällt hinterlässt das Prophyll eine ringförmige Blattnarbe an jedem Knoten. Der 2 bis 5 cm lange Blattstiel ist sehr fein puderig flaumig behaart. Die einfache, papierartige bis mehr oder weniger ledrige Blattspreite ist mehr oder weniger symmetrisch, bei einer Länge von 7 bis 15 cm sowie einer Breite von 5 bis 11 cm meist eiförmig bis eiförmig-länglich mit herzförmigen Spreitengrund, aber die am obersten Bereich der Sprossachse sind manchmal elliptisch mit gerundetem Spreitengrund, das obere Ende ist immer zugespitzt. Die Blattunterseite ist dicht drüsig behaart und dort sind die Blattadern sehr fein puderig flaumig behaart. Die Blattoberseite ist kahl. Es sind sieben Hauptadern vorhanden, von denen das oberste Paar 0,7 bis 2 cm über der Spreitenbasis entspringt, die anderen entspringen am Spreitengrund. Es sind deutlich erkennbare Netzadern vorhanden.[2]
Der Betelpfeffer ist zweihäusig getrenntgeschlechtig (diözisch). Die Blütezeit reicht in China von Mai bis Juli. Die ährigen Blütenstände entspringen gegenüber den Blattachseln. Die männlichen Blütenstände sind während der Anthese fast so lang wie die Blattspreiten und ihre Blütenstandsschäfte sind fast so lang wie die Blattstiele. Ihre Blütenstandsachse ist flaumig behaart. Ihre Tragblätter sind mehr oder weniger sitzend und bei einer Breite von 1 bis 1,3 mm mehr oder weniger kreisförmig, selten verkehrt-eiförmig oder schildförmig. Die männlichen Blüten enthalten zwei Staubblätter. Ihre dicken Staubfäden sind etwa so lang wie die nierenförmigen Staubbeutel. Die weiblichen Blütenstände sind mit einem Durchmesser von etwa 1 cm und einer Länge von 3 bis 5 cm länger als die Frucht. Ihre fleischige Blütenstandsachse ist dicht flaumig behaart. Der oberständige Fruchtknoten ist teilweise von der Blütenstandsachse umhüllt und mit dieser verwachsen. Das obere Ende des Fruchtknotens ist filzig behaart. Je weiblicher Blüte sind vier oder fünf freie, filzig behaarte Narben vorhanden.[2]
Die Steinfrüchte sind zu stielrunden, fleischigen Sammelfrüchten verwachsen, die an ihrem oberen Ende filzig behaart sind und bei Reife sich rötlich färben.[2]
Die Chromosomenzahl beträgt 2n = 42, 52, 58, 64, 78 oder 195.[3]
Betelpfeffer gibt es in verschiedenen Sorten, deren Blätter sich auch im Geschmack unterscheiden. Zu den besten Betelblättern gehören die der Sorte „Magadhi“ (aus der Region Magadha stammend), die um Patna in Bihar angebaut wird.
Betelblätter werden als stimulierendes Mittel und Antiseptikum verwendet. In der ayurvedischen Medizin wird ihnen aphrodisische Wirkung nachgesagt. In verschiedenen südostasiatischen Ländern findet Betelpfeffer als Heilmittel gegen Kopfschmerzen, Zahnschmerzen, Arthritis und Gelenkschmerzen, aber auch als Antibiotikum oder bei Verdauungsschwierigkeiten Verwendung.
Neben der ayurvedischen medizinischen Verwendung von Pflanzenteilen werden die Blätter des Betelpfeffers in Indien und Teilen Südostasiens als Munderfrischer gekaut. Zu den wirksamen Substanzen des in den Blättern enthaltenen ätherischen Betelöls gehören Eugenol, Chavicol und Eukalyptol sowie Terpene.
Dazu werden in Betelblätter gelöschter Kalk (Calciumhydroxid) und geriebene Betelnuss (Arekanuss) – beides zu einer Paste verarbeitet – sowie eine Gewürzmischung (pan masala) bestehend aus Kardamom, Anis, Pfefferminze, Kokos und anderen gewickelt und mit einem Zahnstocher oder einer Nelke zusammengehalten. Es gibt auch Zubereitungen zusätzlich mit Tabakpulver und Koriandersamen.
Der Löschkalk hält die aktiven Substanzen in ihrer basischen bzw. alkalinen Form und ermöglicht somit die sublinguale Absorption ins Blut. Die Arekanuss enthält das Alkaloid Arecolin, welches Speichelfluss verursacht (der sich rot färbt) und selbst stimulierend wirkt. Der rote Saft befleckt die Zähne und schädigt das Zahnfleisch. Das Kauen eines Betelpriems wird jedoch bereits seit mehreren tausend Jahren praktiziert. Während des Kauens des Betelpfeffers wird außerdem die DNS im Mund vorübergehend neutralisiert, was zu Problemen beim Analysieren von Speichelproben führen kann. Wissenschaftler versuchen daher in solchen Fällen, die DNS für die Analyse zu verstärken.
Piper sarmentosum ist eine verwandte Art, die beim Kochen Verwendung findet und wird manchmal „Wilder Betel“ genannt.
Die Erstveröffentlichung von Piper betle erfolgte 1753 durch in Species Plantarum, 1, S. 28–29[4].[5][1]
Betelpfeffer oder Betel (Piper betle) ist eine Pflanzenart aus der Gattung Pfeffer in der Familie der Pfeffergewächse (Piperaceae). Die ursprüngliche Heimat dieser Pflanzenart ist unbekannt, vielleicht stammt sie aus dem biogeographischen Gebiet Malesien. Sie wird heute auch auf dem gesamten indischen Subkontinent sowie in Südostasien angebaut und wird dort auf Hindi पान pān genannt (Pan), anglisierend auch Paan. Ihre Blätter finden in der ayurvedischen Medizin Verwendung, in Südasien werden sie zusammen mit gelöschtem Kalk, Gewürzen und Betelnuss gekaut (siehe Sirih-Pinang: Paan).
The betel, Piper betle, is a species of flowering plant in the pepper family Piperaceae, native to Southeast Asia. It is an evergreen, dioecious[1] vine, with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkins. Betel plants are cultivated for their leaves which are most commonly used as flavoring in chewing areca nut (betel nut chewing).
The term betel was derived from the Malayalam word vettila via Portuguese.[2][3]
Piper betle is originally native to Southeast Asia, from India to Philippines, Timor-Leste and the Lesser Sunda Islands and Peninsular Malaysia to Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar). Its cultivation has spread along with the Austronesian migrations and trade to other parts of Island Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea and Melanesia, Micronesia, South Asia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Réunion Island, and Madagascar. It has also been introduced during the Colonial Era to the Caribbean.[4][5]
The betel leaf is cultivated mostly in South and Southeast Asia, from India[6] to Papua New Guinea.[7] It needs a compatible tree or a long pole for support. Betel requires well-drained fertile soil. Waterlogged, saline and alkali soils are unsuitable for its cultivation.[8]
In Bangladesh, farmers called barui[9] prepare a garden called a barouj in which to grow betel. The barouj is fenced with bamboo sticks and coconut leaves. The soil is plowed into furrows of 10 to 15 m length, 75 cm in width and 75 cm depth. Oil cakes, manure, and leaves are thoroughly incorporated with the topsoil of the furrows and wood ash. The cuttings are planted at the beginning of the monsoon season.
Proper shade and irrigation are essential for the successful cultivation of this crop. Betel needs constantly moist soil, but there should not be excessive moisture. Irrigation is frequent and light, and standing water should not remain for more than half an hour.
Dried leaves and wood ash are applied to the furrows at fortnightly intervals and cow dung slurry is sprinkled. Application of different kinds of leaves at monthly intervals is believed advantageous for the growth of the betel. In three to six months, the vines reach 150 to 180 cm in height, and they will branch. Harvest begins with the farmer plucking the leaf and its petiole with his right thumb. The harvest lasts 15 days to one month. The betel plant has made its way to research labs of many Bangladesh chemical and food nutrition companies.
The harvested leaves are consumed locally and exported to other parts of Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Betel is grown and cultivated as an important crop in rural Bangladesh.
The primary use of betel leaf is as a wrapper for the chewing of areca nut (or in modern times, tobacco), where it is mainly used to add flavour. The practice originated in the Philippines around 5000 years ago (where the oldest remains of areca nuts and lime from crushed sea shells have been found in the Duyong Cave archaeological site). It was spread along with the Austronesian migrations to the rest of Southeast Asia, Taiwan, South China, and South Asia. However, it is unknown when betel leaves were first combined with areca nuts, since areca nuts can be chewed alone.[5]
While the practice of chewing Betel leaf existed even before the common era, with attested references from at least the 3rd century CE, the ingredient mix (paan/ betel quid) it was chewed with changed over time.[10] Areca nut, mineral slaked lime and catechu were the historic ingredients, as referenced in texts from 9th century CE, and tobacco started to feature in the 20th century.[10][11] The practice of chewing betel leaf is on the decline, and now the quid consisting of tobacco, areca nut, and slaked lime (gutka) is more popular.[11]
In India and Sri Lanka, a sheaf of betel leaves is traditionally offered as a mark of respect and auspicious beginnings. Occasions include greeting elders at wedding ceremonies, celebrating the New Year, and offering payment to physicians and astrologers (to whom money and/or areca nut, placed on top of the sheaf of leaves, are offered in thanks for blessings).In Bengali weddings,the bride is brought to the groom,seated on a platform and her face covered in betel leaves.
In Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, the inflorescence stalk of the betel tree, known as daka or "mustard stick", is consumed together with the leaves.[12][13]
It may also be used in cooking, usually raw, for its peppery taste. Use of binglang, or betel, has over a 300-year history in areas of China, where it was once promoted for medicinal use.[14]
Epidemiological studies demonstrate a close association between the incidence of cancer in India and the chewing of betel quid containing tobacco, areca nut, lime and betel leaf.[15] Chewing paan (betel quid) is strongly associated with a higher risk of developing head and neck cancer,[16] as well as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), a form of cancer that affects the mouth, tonsils, and throat.[17] Attempts have been made to confirm the carcinogenic/ mutagenic of betel quid or its ingredients. Betel leaf extract alone has not been shown to cause adverse effects. Smokeless tobacco products have been shown to exhibit mutagenic and carcinogenic behavior.[18][19] A scientific study from Japan found that lab rats that ate a mixture of betel leaf and areca nuts had severe thickening of the upper digestive tract, whereas after a diet of betel leaves alone, only one laboratory rat developed a forestomach papilloma.[20] Multiple studies demonstrate that betel quid without added tobacco also causes esophageal cancer, and in some instances, liver cancer.[21] In a cancer diagnosis patterns study with patients that chewed betel quid with different ingredient combinations, the risk was found to be the highest for those using any form of tobacco.[22] International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) accept the scientific evidence that chewing tobacco and areca nut is carcinogenic to humans.[23][24][25][26] As with chewing tobacco, chewing betel quid with tobacco and areca nut is discouraged by preventive healthcare efforts.[17]
Reports suggest that betel leaf by itself has beneficial effects, in part because of its anti-mutagenic effects against mutagens (tobacco and areca nut) in betel quid.[15] While earlier studies hypothesized a potential mutagenic role for betel leaf in causing oral cancers, subsequent studies invalidated it by isolating compounds (eugenol and hydroxychavicol) in betel leaf that have anti-mutagenic roles.[27][15] These compounds were also found to reduce the carcinogenic burden imposed by tobacco and areca nut.[28][29][30] Hydroxychavicol is found to demonstrate anti-prostate cancer efficacy in an in vitro (human prostate cancer cells) and in vivo ( BALB/c nude mice) study.[31]
Chemistry of betel leaf varies geographically and is mostly chavibetol dominant.[1][32] Safrole is a major component of Sri Lankan piper betle.[33] Eugenol, Isoeugenol, and Germacene D are other dominant compounds in other chemotypes.[34]
Leaves also contain eugenol, chavicol, hydroxychavicol[35][36] and caryophyllene[32]
Stems contain phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, beta-daucosterol, stigmasterol etc.), alkaloids (piperine, pellitorine, piperdardine, guineensine etc.), lignan (pinoresinol) and other bioactive components. Some of them are oleanolic acid, dehydropipernonaline, piperolein-B, Bornyl cis-4-Hydroxycinnamate and Bornyl p-Coumarate.[37][38][39][40]
Roots contain aristololactam A-II, a new phenylpropene, 4-allyl resorcinol and a diketosteroid stigmast-4-en-3,6-dione.[41]
Essential oil consisted of 50 different compounds, of which major components are eugenol, caryophyllene, terpinolene, terpinene, cadinene and 3-carene.[42]
Betel vines are cultivated throughout southeast Asia in plots whose area is typically 20 to 2000 square metres (0.005 to 0.5 acre).
Malaysian farmers cultivate four types of betel plants: sirih India, sirih Melayu, sirih Cina and sirih Udang. The harvest is then sold in bundles of leaves, each bundle costing in 2011 between MYR 0.30 to 0.50 ($0.07 to $0.12).
In Sri Lanka, betel is grown all over the country, but the commercial production of betel, with bigger leaves with dark green colour combined with thickness, known as “kalu bulath”, is confined to a few districts, such as Kurunagala, Gampaha, Kegalle, Kalutara and Colombo.[8] These are sold at a wholesaler in lots of 1000 leaves. According to a report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),[43] a successful betel farm in Sri Lanka can provide a supplemental income to a farmer by providing six days of work every six months and net income when the leaf prices are attractive. The FAO study found the successful farm's yield to be 18,000 leaves per 150 square feet (14 m2). The additional salary and income to the Sri Lankan betel grower, assuming he or she provides all needed labor and keeps all net profit, is SL Rs. 1635 per 150 square feet (14 m2) of betel farm every 6 months ($90 per "decimal" per year, or $9000 per acre per year). If the farmer hires outside labor to tend the betel vines and harvest the crop, the FAO found the net income to the betel farm owner to be SL Rs. 735 per 150 square feet (14 m2) of betel farm every six months ($40 per decimal per year, or $4000 per acre per year). According to FAO, the market prices for betel leaves vary with wet and dry season in Sri Lanka, and in 2010 averaged SL Rs. 200–400 per 1000 leaves ($1.82 to $3.64 per 1000 leaves).[44] The FAO study assumes no losses from erratic weather and no losses during storage and transportation of perishable betel leaves. These losses are usually between 35% to 70%.[45]
In Bangladesh, betel leaf farming yields vary by region and vine variety. In one region where betel leaf cultivation is the main source of income for farmers, a total of 2,825 hectares of land is dedicated to betel vine farming.[46] The average production costs for these betel farms in Bangladesh are about Tk 300,000 per hectare ($4000 per hectare, $16 per decimal), and the farm owners can earn a profit of over Tk 100,000 per hectare ($1334 per hectare, $5.34 per decimal).
In India, a 2006 research reported[45] betel vines being cultivated on about 55000 hectares of farmland, with an annual production worth of about IN Rs. 9000 million ($200 million total, averaging $1455 per acre). The betel farming industry, the report claims, supports about 400,000 – 500,000 agricultural families.
A March 2011 report claims that betel farming is on a decline in India.[47] While in ideal conditions some farms may gross annual incomes after expenses of over IN Rs. 26,000 per 10 decimal farm ($5,780 per acre), a betel farm's income is highly erratic from year to year, due to varying rainfall patterns, temperature, and spoilage rates of 35% to 70% during transport over poor infrastructure.[45] Simultaneously, the demand for betel leaves has been dropping in India due to acceptance of gutkha (chewing tobacco) by consumers over betel leaf-based ‘‘paan’’ preparation;[48] the report cites betel leaf trading has dropped by 65% from 2000 to 2010 and created an oversupply. As a result, the report claims Indian farmers do not find betel farming lucrative anymore.[47]
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(help) The betel, Piper betle, is a species of flowering plant in the pepper family Piperaceae, native to Southeast Asia. It is an evergreen, dioecious vine, with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkins. Betel plants are cultivated for their leaves which are most commonly used as flavoring in chewing areca nut (betel nut chewing).
Betel (Piper betle) es una especie de planta con flor de la familia Piperaceae similar a una enredadera. Son naturales de Malasia y se han extendido a India, Indonesia y Sri Lanka. Las hojas de betel son recolectadas para envolver una droga para mascar conocida como buyo típica del sur de Asia, que también tiene nuez de areca, cal y tabaco.
Es una planta rastrera perenne con raíces adventicias que alcanza hasta un metro de altura. Hojas de color verde oscuro el haz y pálido el envés, ovales con nervaciones, tiene 3-5 cm. de longitud por 2-3 de ancho. Una espiga colgante de color blanco contiene las flores masculinas y femeninas. El fruto es una baya redondeada. Toda la planta desprende un olor agradable. Las mejores hojas de Betel son de la variedad "Megahi" (literalmente de la región de Magadha) que crece cerca de Patna en Bihar, India.
Piper betle fue descrita por Carlos Linneo y publicado en Species Plantarum 1: 28–29. 1753.[1]
Betel (Piper betle) es una especie de planta con flor de la familia Piperaceae similar a una enredadera. Son naturales de Malasia y se han extendido a India, Indonesia y Sri Lanka. Las hojas de betel son recolectadas para envolver una droga para mascar conocida como buyo típica del sur de Asia, que también tiene nuez de areca, cal y tabaco.
Bétel
Le bétel (Piper betle) est une plante grimpante de la famille des pipéracées, dont les feuilles cordiformes ont des propriétés médicinales. Elle peut atteindre une hauteur d'environ un mètre. Elle est originaire de Malaisie et prospère maintenant en Inde et en Indonésie.
Les substances actives de l'huile de bétel, obtenue à partir des feuilles, sont le bétel-phénol (ou chavibétol ou 3-hydroxy-4-méthoxyallylbenzène, qui donne un arôme fumé), le chavicol et le cadinène.
Ces substances ont des propriétés psychostimulantes et tonifiantes.
La consommation abusive de bétel (chique) est responsable de carcinome épidermoïde de la cavité buccale[1]. Il s'agit ici de la chique de bétel, c'est-à-dire, d'une feuille de bétel contenant notamment de la noix d'arec, or "les nitrosamines formées à partir de l'arec lors de la chique sont carcinogènes et cette toxicité s'exerce alors que les feuilles de bétel possèdent un pouvoir protecteur."[2]
Les feuilles de bétel sont utilisées comme stimulant, antiseptique, anti-inflammatoire, en protection du foie, anti-diabétique, contre les ulcères et pour rafraîchir l'haleine. Sa richesse en phénols en fait un bon anti-oxydant[3],[4]. Elles sont également utilisées en infusion pour traiter l'indigestion, comme onguent ou en inhalation contre les maux de tête, comme traitement contre la constipation, comme décongestionnant, et comme aide à la lactation.
Dans la médecine ayurvédique, elles sont employées comme aphrodisiaque. Mâcher du bétel est mentionné dans le Kâmasûtra.
En Malaisie, elles sont utilisées pour traiter les maux de tête, l'arthrite et les rhumatismes.
En Thaïlande et en Chine, elles sont prescrites pour soulager les maux de dents. La médecine traditionnelle chinoise l'utilise également pour ses propriétés de désintoxication, antioxidation et antimutation[4].
En Indonésie, elles sont bues en infusion, et employées comme antibiotique.
En Inde, au Pakistan ainsi qu'en Indochine, les feuilles sont mâchées avec de la chaux (oxyde de calcium) et de la noix d'arec, dans une préparation qui prend le nom de bétel ou paan. La chaux agit comme catalyseur, et l'arec contient l'arécoline, un alcaloïde qui favorise la salivation, la salive devenant teintée de rouge. On ajoute parfois du tabac à la préparation, ainsi que divers mélanges d'épices, des additifs astringents et autres adjuvants modifiant la texture et ou la saveur selon l'usage local.
Bétel
Le bétel (Piper betle) est une plante grimpante de la famille des pipéracées, dont les feuilles cordiformes ont des propriétés médicinales. Elle peut atteindre une hauteur d'environ un mètre. Elle est originaire de Malaisie et prospère maintenant en Inde et en Indonésie.
Il betel (Piper betle L.) è una pianta appartenente alla famiglia delle Piperacee.[1]
La foglia di betel è per lo più consumata in Asia, e in altre parti del mondo, come nel betelquid o nel paan, con noce di Areca e/o tabacco.
La pianta di betel è un sempreverde perenne, con foglie lucide a forma di cuore e amento bianco.
La pianta di betel è originaria del sud-est asiatico.[1]
La foglia di betel è coltivata soprattutto nell'Asia meridionale e sud-orientale, dal Pakistan[2] alla Papua Nuova Guinea. Ha bisogno di un tronco di un albero o di un palo lungo per il supportare e sorreggere il fusto della pianta. Il betel richiede terreno fertile ben drenato. I terreni allagati, salini e alcali non sono adatti alla sua coltivazione.[3] Nello Sri Lanka e in molte parti dell'India un fascio di foglie di betel viene tradizionalmente offerto come segno di rispetto e di buon auspicio.
Il betel (Piper betle L.) è una pianta appartenente alla famiglia delle Piperacee.
La foglia di betel è per lo più consumata in Asia, e in altre parti del mondo, come nel betelquid o nel paan, con noce di Areca e/o tabacco.
A piper betle (em hindi: पान, transl. pān, pan, ou também em forma anglicizada paan) é uma pimenteira, cuja folha é designada bétele[1], apreciada como estimulante ligeiro e por suas propriedades medicinais[2].
A folha é, às vezes, recheada com noz-de-areca, entre outros ingredientes, e servida após ceias especiais, como as de casamento, por virtude das suas propriedades tónica e ligeiramente embriagantes.[1] A este preparado mastigatório e pós-prandial, que goza de particular popularidade nalgumas regiões do Sudeste asiático, também se dá o nome de «bétele» ou «bétel».[1]
Esta espécie dá ainda pelos seguintes nomes comuns: bétel[3] e tambul[4].
A piper betle (em hindi: पान, transl. pān, pan, ou também em forma anglicizada paan) é uma pimenteira, cuja folha é designada bétele, apreciada como estimulante ligeiro e por suas propriedades medicinais.
A folha é, às vezes, recheada com noz-de-areca, entre outros ingredientes, e servida após ceias especiais, como as de casamento, por virtude das suas propriedades tónica e ligeiramente embriagantes. A este preparado mastigatório e pós-prandial, que goza de particular popularidade nalgumas regiões do Sudeste asiático, também se dá o nome de «bétele» ou «bétel».
베틀후추(betel piper 학명: Piper betle)는 쌍떡잎식물 이판화군 후추목 후추과의 덩굴식물이다.
인도 원산의 식물로 인도와 동남아시아에서 기호품으로 재배되고 있다. 특유의 향미가 있다. 잎은 두껍고 하트모양이며 길이는 7∼25cm 정도이다. 꽃은 단성화(單性花)로 흰색이고 밑으로 처지는 수상꽃차례에 달린다.
인도에서는 이 식물의 잎을 빤(paan)이라고 하는데 특유의 향미로 옛날부터 입안의 냄새를 제거하고 성대를 좋게 하며 입안을 깨끗이 하기 위하여 식후 혹은 평상시 담배와 같은 역할로 씹었다. 그 방법은 잎자루를 제거한 다음 잎몸 중앙에 석회를 약간 바르고 성숙하지 않은 빈랑나무의 열매(빈랑열매: Areca nut, betel nut)와 그 외 다른 향신료(카다멈 등)와 담배 등을 싸서 씹는다. 빈랑열매에서 나오는 빨간 색소 때문에 입안과 침이 붉게 되며 침을 계속 뱉기 때문에 인도나 동남아시아의 길에 빨간 침자국이 있는 것을 흔히 볼 수 있다.
이러한 풍습은 인도 ·말레이시아 ·인도차이나 ·중국 남부 ·인도네시아 ·아라비아 및 아프리카 등지에 퍼져 있어, 세계 인구의 1/3이 즐기는 기호품이다. 그러나 현재 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)와 WHO(World Health Organization)의 발표에 따르면 담배의 포함여부에 상관없이 구강암을 증가시키며 그 원인은 빈랑열매 때문이라 알려져있다.[1] 한방에서 말린 잎을 구장엽(蒟醬葉)이라고 하며, 건위 및 거담제로 사용한다.
베틀후추(betel piper 학명: Piper betle)는 쌍떡잎식물 이판화군 후추목 후추과의 덩굴식물이다.
인도 원산의 식물로 인도와 동남아시아에서 기호품으로 재배되고 있다. 특유의 향미가 있다. 잎은 두껍고 하트모양이며 길이는 7∼25cm 정도이다. 꽃은 단성화(單性花)로 흰색이고 밑으로 처지는 수상꽃차례에 달린다.
인도에서는 이 식물의 잎을 빤(paan)이라고 하는데 특유의 향미로 옛날부터 입안의 냄새를 제거하고 성대를 좋게 하며 입안을 깨끗이 하기 위하여 식후 혹은 평상시 담배와 같은 역할로 씹었다. 그 방법은 잎자루를 제거한 다음 잎몸 중앙에 석회를 약간 바르고 성숙하지 않은 빈랑나무의 열매(빈랑열매: Areca nut, betel nut)와 그 외 다른 향신료(카다멈 등)와 담배 등을 싸서 씹는다. 빈랑열매에서 나오는 빨간 색소 때문에 입안과 침이 붉게 되며 침을 계속 뱉기 때문에 인도나 동남아시아의 길에 빨간 침자국이 있는 것을 흔히 볼 수 있다.
이러한 풍습은 인도 ·말레이시아 ·인도차이나 ·중국 남부 ·인도네시아 ·아라비아 및 아프리카 등지에 퍼져 있어, 세계 인구의 1/3이 즐기는 기호품이다. 그러나 현재 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)와 WHO(World Health Organization)의 발표에 따르면 담배의 포함여부에 상관없이 구강암을 증가시키며 그 원인은 빈랑열매 때문이라 알려져있다. 한방에서 말린 잎을 구장엽(蒟醬葉)이라고 하며, 건위 및 거담제로 사용한다.