Elders believe that paan was consumed not only for taste but also for health. In earlier times, people used to consume betel leaves after meals so that digestion remained proper and oral hygiene was maintained. Today, people may associate it with addiction or habit, but in Ayurveda, betel leaf has been described as a useful medicine, which provides balance to the body.

Ayurvedacharya Dr. Baleshwar Sharma, working in a health center in Samastipur district, says that the tradition of eating betel leaves in Mithila region is centuries old. He clarified that betel leaf is not an intoxicant in any way, rather many medicinal properties are found in it. Consuming betel leaves cleans the mouth and destroys the harmful bacteria present inside the mouth. This removes the problem of bad smell permanently.

According to Dr. Sharma, betel leaf improves digestion and is beneficial in problems related to cough and bile. Besides, it is also helpful in purifying the blood. In Ayurveda, betel leaf is considered to balance the Agni of the body, due to which food is digested properly and stomach related problems are reduced.

Ayurvedacharya Dr. Baleshwar Sharma says that betel leaf is also helpful in increasing immunity. Betel leaf, consumed regularly and in limited quantity, strengthens the body’s immunity. He also told that in Ayurveda, betel stalk has been used in problems like diarrhea in children, which is a part of traditional treatment. Apart from this, betel leaf also provides relief in cough, cold and bile related problems.

Experts say that if betel leaf is taken in its pure form without tobacco or harmful substances, it can prove beneficial for health. In such a situation, there is a need that people should not only consider paan as an intoxicant, but should also know and understand its Ayurvedic and health benefits.