An overview of Betel vine (Piper betle L.): Nutritional, pharmacological and economical promising natural reservoir

Abstract

With its magnificent green heart­shaped leaf, the betel vine (Piper betle L.) is also known as Paan in India. It is a member of the Piperaceae family. It is cultivated in the coastal regions of Odisha (Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khordha, and Ganjam). Paan is consumed by over 1 million people throughout the state, but they are unaware of its high nutritional quality. It is considered superior to pharmaceuticals and is one of the best remedies in nature. It has anti­microbial, anti­apoptotic, anti­cancer, antioxidant, and anti­inflammatory attributes. Furthermore, the leaves retain eugenol­rich essential oil (EO) (1­3%), which is the hotspot for medication, stimulants, antiseptics, tonics, and other ayurvedic compositions. This oil can also be used as an industrial raw material to make medications, fragrances, tonics, mouth fresheners, food additives, and other products. It contains anticarcinogens, which show potential for the development of medicines against cancer treatment. Betel plant farming is an agricultural activity that provides a source of income for remote farmers. Sometimes economic crises occurred due to the development of diseases such as foot rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and collar rot. Most farmers got seasonal revenue, whereas betel vine cultivation provided year­round income from a tiny plot of land.