Tάmbula. Vern. Pάn, Beng. Hind.

The leaves of this creeper are, as is well known, masticated by the natives of India. The poorer classes make their packet of betle with the addition of lime, catechu and betle-nuts. The rich add cardamoms, nutmegs, cloves, camphor and other aromatics. Betle-leaf thus chewed acts as a gentle stimulant and exhilarant. Those accustomed to its use feel a sense of langour when deprived of it. The ancient Hindu writers recommend that betle-leaf should be taken early in the morning, after meals and at bedtime.

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.

Medicinally it is said to be useful in diseases supposed to be caused by deranged phlegm and its juice is much used as an adjunct to pills administered in these diseases; that is, the pills are rubbed into an emulsion with the juice of the betle-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 the 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 glands with the object of checking the secretion of milk. Pan leaves are used as a ready dressing for foul ulcers which seem to improve under them.