Betel leaf1
Piper betle Folium (Betel leaves) has health benefits related to hygiene and antiseptic properties. This plant has traditionally been used by women in Indonesia for various health purposes, such as treating coughs, mastitis, and body odor; preventing and reducing excessive discharge in the genital area; relieving itching in the genital area; and treating wounds.2
Morphology of Betel Leaves
The leaves are typically 5–18 cm long and 2.5–10.5 cm wide. They are oblong-ovate in shape, with a heart-shaped or slightly rounded base; the lower surface of the leaf is glabrous or has very short hairs.
Betel Leaves Active Compounds
Contains the active compounds cavibetol, eugenol, safrole, aliperocatechol, and other metabolites.3
Health Benefits of Betel Leaves
Betel leaf extract exhibits inhibitory activity against several strains of Candida spp., particularly Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Additionally, the phenolic compounds in betel leaves also function as antiseptics. These antifungal and antiseptic properties can help reduce discharge and unpleasant odor caused by fungal infections in the vaginal area.2,3
Literature Study:
Subjects: 40 patients with vaginal discharge
Research dose: 11 fresh betel leaves were administered intravaginally.
Duration: 7 days
Results: Approximately 90.9% of patients who received betel leaves were declared cured of vaginal discharge. The eugenol in betel leaves is effective in killing fungus Candida albicans. Betel contains tannins, that act as an astringent (reducing vaginal secretions), thereby helping to treat vaginal discharge.2
Safety
Empirical evidence indicates that betel leaf is safe for use. A review of the literature on subchronic (14-day) and chronic (42-day) toxicity studies found that ethanol and water extracts of betel leaf at a dose of 1500 mg/kg body weight in rats were safe for use and did not affect blood parameters, blood biochemistry, or enzyme levels.4
Keywords: Piper betle Folium; Betel Leaf; Antifungal; Antiseptic; Women’s Health; Vaginal Discharge/Excess Mucus; Body Odor
References
Image: shutterstock.com
Widowati, Lucie H, Lestari, M R. The use of betel (Piper betle) leaves for maintaining the health of women and children at various ethnic groups in Indonesia.Nusantara Bioscience. 2020; 12. doi: 10.13057/nusbiosci/n120206.
National Agency of Drug and Food Control.Herbal Preparation Reference. Volume 7 (I). Badan POM; 2012.
Arambewela LS, Arawwawala LD, Kumaratunga KG, Dissanayake DS, Ratnasooriya WD, Kumarasingha SP. Investigations on Piper betlegrown in Sri Lanka. Pharmacogn Rev. 2011;5(10):159-163. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.91111.
