Daun Sirih / Betel

Scientific Name: Piper betle

Bahasa Indonesian: Daun sirih

Batak: Demban

Basic Information:

The betel (Piper betle) is a vine of the family Piperaceae, which includes pepper and kava. Betel leaf is mostly consumed in Asia, and elsewhere in the world by some Asian emigrants, as betel quid or in paan, with Areca nut and/or tobacco.

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 Ayurvedic physicians and astrologers (to whom money and/or areca nut, placed on top of the sheaf of leaves, are offered in thanks for blessings).

The betel plant is an evergreen perennial, with glossy heart-shaped leaves and white catkin. The betel plant originated in South and South East Asia.

Health Benefits of Betel Leaf

We found on the website of www.bollywoodshaadis.com this really nice overview of the health benefits of Sirih Leaves. But you can research in the Internet you will found a lot bout this perfect plant. Here the old people all the time use this leaves for medical use, and the woman chew it. But this is not the healthy thing to do it with Betel peper and tobacco.