Eating paan or betel leaf is a common practice in India. Though some people frown at the mention of paan, yet they must know the positive effects of this mouth freshener leaf.

The word paan makes some people think otherwise as for a lot of us it is an addiction and also that paan is something which is not used by ‘good people’. Though beliefs are changing now and most of marriage parties even have paan stalls; to be consumed after food. Let us read the benefits of paan which are actually age old theories and very apt.

Paan is actually a natural product and can prove to be great digestive if used in the right way. Combination of betel leaf commonly known as paan ka patta with supari (areca nut) and lime (soaked in water) have been used since long. Some people also prefer using tobacco leaves in paan which have negative impact on health, so this must be avoided. Usage of this leaf with a few other things which are good for health can add to your mouth freshener also improving digestion.

When this leaf is chewed with saunf or fennel seeds and even shredded ginger, it becomes a great digestive. Since betel leaf stimulates saliva, it becomes a good step in digestion of food. A plain betel leaf is known to have cured/prevented oral cancer. Various spices like cloves, fennel seeds, ginger, black pepper and cardamom add flavours to the paan acting as both mouth freshener and a digestive. Paan is also given to patients suffering from gastric ulcers. It also controls blood sugar levels. In the ancient times, any person suffering from cough was made to chew a betel leaf with ginger and black salt and a few drops of honey.  Betel leaf has cooling properties. Its juice can cure wounds and minor burns.

The only point is that excess of everything is bad, so if consumed in the right and limited or prescribed way as per ayurveda, paan or betel leaf can prove to be a boon for many.