The Betel Vine (Piper betle) is a climbing vine native to South and Southeast Asia whose leaf, folded around areca nut and lime, is chewed widely across the region and offered ritually in Hindu and Buddhist practice. In Hindu tambulam offerings, betel leaf, betel nut and other items are presented to a deity as a complete offering said to be incomplete without it, and betel trays form part of the ritual paraphernalia carried in major processions such as Sri Lanka's Esala Perahera, making the vine's leaf a standing item of ceremonial hospitality and devotion rather than an ordinary foodstuff alone.
Facts
Origins
Botanical IdentificationPiper betle, family Piperaceae, the pepper family 2 Origin of the NameThe English word betel comes from Malayalam vettila, by way of Portuguese, and the genus name Piper is Latin for pepper, the family to which the plant belongs. 3 Origin RegionSouth and Southeast Asia 2 Attributions
Traditional AilmentsThe leaf itself, apart from the nut it wraps, is chewed in South and Southeast Asian traditional medicine as a carminative and mouth freshener, credited with settling the stomach and clearing the throat. 1 Traditions
Principal Religious TraditionsHinduism, where betel leaf is a required element of tambulam ritual offerings presented to a deity. 4 Connections
Associated With
This source names Asia directly: "vine native to South and Southeast Asia whose leaf, folded around areca nut and lime, is chewed widely across the region and offered ritually in Hindu and Buddhist practice."
Source The Oxford Dictionary of World ReligionsJohn Bowker (ed.)
Native to Region
Source Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Originated In
Source Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Related To
Sources
1. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants: Ethnopharmacology and Its Applications
2. Plants of the World Online
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew- Native to Region: Southeast Asia, Stored origin-region property on this entity, cited to this source: South and Southeast Asia
- Originated In: Southeast Asia, Stored origin-region property on this entity, cited to this source: South and Southeast Asia
View the Source 3. The Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd edition
4. The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
John Bowker (ed.), Oxford University Press, 1997s.v. betel; tambulam offeringsView the Source 5. Plants For A Future: Piper betle (plant database entry)
Plants For A FutureMedicinal Uses
Heated leaves are used as a poultice on the chest against cough and asthma, on the breasts to stop milk secretion, and on the abdomen to relieve constipation
Medicinal Uses, leaf
Heated leaves are used as a poultice on the chest against cough and asthma, on the breasts to stop milk secretion, and on the abdomen to relieve constipation
In Group: Evergreen Climbing Vines, Physical Characteristics
Piper betle is an evergreen Perennial Climber growing to 5 m (16ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a fast rate.
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