n. o. piperaceje. 1093 



Use : — The fruit is used by the natives of Bengal as a 

 carminative similarly to long-pepper (Watt). 



1081. P. Betle, Linn., h.f.b.i., v. 85 ; Roxb., 



Syn. : — Chavica Hetle, Miq. 



Sans : — Tambula. 



Vevn. : — Pan (H. and B.) ; Vettilee (Tarn.) ; Tamal-pakoo 

 (Tel.) ; nagavela f Bom.) ; Vetta (Mai.). 



Habitat : — Cultivated in the hotter and damper parts of 

 India. 



Stems and branches stout, climbing, compressed when 

 coriaceous, ovate ; base usually cordate and unequal-sided ; blade 

 3-8in. ; petiole J-lin. Supra-basal nerves alternate. Spikes, 

 .male 3-6in., female longer, peduncled and longer than the 

 leaves. Fruiting spike cylindric, pendulous, l-5in. long, stout. 

 Fruit i-Jin. diam. very fleshy and often confluent into a 

 cylindric red mass. Most plants female, says Brandis. 



The ancient Hindu writers recommended that betel-leaf 

 should be taken early in the morning, after the morning, after 

 meals and at bed-time. According to Susruta, it is aromatic, 

 carminative, stimulant, and astringent. It sweetens the breath, 

 improves the voice, and removes all foulness from the mouth. 

 According to other writers it acts as an aphrodisiac. Medi- 

 cinally it is said to be useful in diseases supposed to be caused 

 by deranged phlegm, and it's juice is much used as an adjunct 

 to pills administered in these diseases, the pills being rubbed 

 into an emulsion with the juice of the betel-leaf and licked up. 

 Being always at hand, Pan leaves are used as a domestic remedy 

 in various ways. The stalk of the leaf smeared with oil is 

 introduced into the rectum in constipation and tympanitis of 

 children, with the object of inducing the bowels to act. The 

 leaves are applied to the temples in headache for relieving pain, 

 to painful and swollen glands for promoting absorption, and 

 to the mammary gland with the object of checking the secre- 

 tion of milk. Pan leaves are used as a ready dressing for foul 

 ulcers, which seem to improve under them." (U. C. Dutt.) 



