Betel Leaf Sep-12

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Market Survey 8 FACTS FOR YOU SEPTEMBER 2012 BY: DR K. RAMAMURTHI O. USHA RANI BETEL LEAF: NATURE’S GREEN MEDICINE Though regarded as a very powerful medicinal plant amongst ayurvedic practioners, betel leaf plays an increasingly marginal role in our lives today. Changing consumer preferences have been instrumental in making cultivators of this crop look for alternative sources of income foreign exchange into the country. It is known to have tremendous me- dicinal benefits. Records show that it was in use as far back as 2000 years. Betel leaves play a vital role in Indian tradition, customs and ritu- als. It is traditionally used to treat various diseases like bad breath, boils and abscesses, conjunctivitis, constipation, swelling of gums, cuts and injuries. The root is known for its female contraceptive effects, while the essential oil contained in the leaves possesses anti-bacteri- al, anti-protozoan and anti-fungal properties. Therefore the oil kills T he betel plant is an evergreen and peren- nial creeper, with glossy heart-shaped leaves. It belongs to the family of Piperaceae, which includes pepper and Kava. It is native to South and South East Asia (India, Nepal, Bang- ladesh and Sri Lanka). Betel leaf is one of the most com- mercial crops, and has the potential to attract substantial amounts of Betel leaf plantations Table I The Nutritional Composition of Fresh Betel Leaf Constituents Approximate composition Water 8.5-9.0% Protein 3-3.5% Fat 0.4-1.0% Minerals 2.3-3.3% Fibre 2.3% Chlorophyll 0.01-0.25% Carbohydrate 0.5-6.10% Nicotinic Acid 0.63-0.89 mg/100 gm Vitamin C 0.005-0.01% Vitamin A 1.9-2.9 mg/100g Thiamine 10-70 µg/100g Riboflavin 1.9-30 µg/100g Tannin 0.1-1.3% Nitrogen 2.0-7.0% Phosphorus 0.05-0.6% Potassium 1.1-4.6% Calcium 0.2-0.5% Iron 0.005-0.007% Iodine 3.4 µg/100 gm Essential oil 0.08-0.2% Energy 44 kcal/100 gm

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Transcript of Betel Leaf Sep-12

Page 1: Betel Leaf Sep-12

Market Survey

8 FACTS FOR YOU • SepTembeR 2012

By: Dr K. ramamurthi O. usha rani

BETEL LEAF: NATURE’S GREEN MEDICINE Though regarded as a very powerful medicinal plant amongst ayurvedic practioners, betel leaf plays an increasingly marginal role in our lives today. Changing consumer preferences have been instrumental in making cultivators of this crop look for alternative sources of income

foreign exchange into the country. It is known to have tremendous me-dicinal benefits. Records show that it was in use as far back as 2000 years.

Betel leaves play a vital role in Indian tradition, customs and ritu-als. It is traditionally used to treat various diseases like bad breath, boils and abscesses, conjunctivitis, constipation, swelling of gums, cuts and injuries. The root is known for its female contraceptive effects,

while the essential oil contained in the leaves possesses anti-bacteri-al, anti-protozoan and anti-fungal properties. Therefore the oil kills

The betel plant is an evergreen and peren-nial creeper, with glossy heart-shaped leaves. It belongs to the family of

Piperaceae, which includes pepper and Kava. It is native to South and South East Asia (India, Nepal, Bang-ladesh and Sri Lanka).

Betel leaf is one of the most com-mercial crops, and has the potential to attract substantial amounts of

Betel leaf plantations

Table I

the nutritional Composition of Fresh Betel Leaf

Constituents Approximate composition

Water 8.5-9.0%Protein 3-3.5%Fat 0.4-1.0%Minerals 2.3-3.3%Fibre 2.3%Chlorophyll 0.01-0.25%Carbohydrate 0.5-6.10%Nicotinic Acid 0.63-0.89 mg/100 gmVitamin C 0.005-0.01%Vitamin A 1.9-2.9 mg/100gThiamine 10-70 µg/100gRiboflavin 1.9-30 µg/100gTannin 0.1-1.3%Nitrogen 2.0-7.0%Phosphorus 0.05-0.6%Potassium 1.1-4.6%Calcium 0.2-0.5%Iron 0.005-0.007%Iodine 3.4 µg/100 gmEssential oil 0.08-0.2%Energy 44 kcal/100 gm

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Market Survey

SepTembeR 2012 • FACTS FOR YOU 9

or inhibits the growth of the deadly bacteria that cause typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis, etc.

Properties of the betel leaf

The plant grows to a height of about one metre. Kammaru betel leaf has a higher level of juice which cures pharyngitis, abdominal pain and abdominal distension. Ordi-nary betel leaf cures urticaria and as per ayurvedic medicine, it restores the loss of equilibrium between the three ‘humours,’ namely, Vatha, Pitha and Kabha.

Betel leaves’ anti-oxidant effect is due to the presence of phenols,

particularly hydroxylchavicol (4-al-lyl pyrocatechol). The leaf produces an aromatic volatile oil containing a phenol called chavicol which has powerful antiseptic properties. The essential oil present gives rise to a sensation of warmth and well-being in the mouth and stomach. It is also known to produce a primary stimu-lation of the central nervous system, followed by a kind of inebriety if con-sumed in large doses. The betel leaf is believed to be a common house-hold remedy for various ailments.

Traditional uses

1. A paste of betel leaves mixed with salt and hot water can be ad-

ministered for filariasis.

2. For treating obesity, one betel leaf mixed with piper nigrum is prescribed for two months.

3. Its juice along with honey or a liquid extract is useful to treat coughs, dyspnoea, and indigestion, among children.

4. When the leaves smeared

Table II

Betel Leaf Varieties Grown across indiaState Varieties of betel leaf

Andhra Pradesh Karapaku, Chennor, Tellaku, Bangla and Kalli PattiAssam Assam Patti, Awani pan, Bangla and Khasi Pan Bihar Desi Pan, Calcutta, Paton, Meghai and BanglaKarnataka Kariyale, Mysoreale and AmbadialeKerala Nadan, Kalkodi and PuthukodiMadhya Pradesh Desi Bangla, Calcutta and DeswariMaharashtra Kallipatti, Kapoori and Bangla (Ramtek)Orissa Godi Bangla, Nova Cuttak, Sanchi and BirkoliTamil Nadu Pachai Kodi and VellaikodiUttar Pradesh Deswari, Kapoori, Maghai and BanglaWest Bengal Bangla, Sanchi, Mitha, Kali Bangla and Simurali Bangla

Table III

Cost of setting up a Betel Leaf PlantationItems (for 10 decimal or 0.04 ha) Cost in year

2000 (Rs)Cost in year 2010 (Rs)

Soil for elevation (61 cm high from the ground to prevent submergence) 500 2000Bamboo and other grass for the outside structure 5500 17,500Organic fertilisers and pesticides 500 1000Chemical fertilisers and pesticides 2500 5000Stem cutting of betel for plant propagation 4500 15,000Stick on which the plant climbs 2000 4500Pump set for water supply from nearby sources 7000 15,000Labour costs 4000 15,000Total initial investment 26,500 75,000

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Market Survey

10 FACTS FOR YOU • SepTembeR 2012

with oil are applied on the breasts of lactating women, it is said to promote milk secretion.

5. A local application is recom-mended for inflammatory swellings such as orchitis, arthritis and mas-titis.

6. For childhood and old people, leaves soaked in mustard oil and warmed are applied to the chest in order to relieve cough and dyspnoea.

7. Eliminates bad breath, body odour and prevents tooth decay.

8. Prevents and treats vaginal discharge, and reduces itching of the vagina.

9. Stops bleeding in the nose.10. It contains vitamins such as

thiamine, niancin, riboflavin and carotene.

Cultivation of the betel leaf plant

The betel plant originated in Malaysia and now grows in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The best betel leaf is the Magahi variety (liter-

ally from the Magadha region) grown near Patna in Bihar, India. The betel leaf is cultivated in most of South and South-East Asia. The betel vines (usually the male plants) are widely cultivated throughout India, except the dry northwestern parts. The fe-male plants rarely produce any flow-er or fruit in the Indian climate. Since it is a creeper, it needs a compatible tree or a long pole for support.

Climatic conditions and soil requirements

The betel plant grows best un-der the shaded, tropical forest with a rainfall of about 2250-4750 mm, relative humidity and temperature ranging from 40-80 per cent and 15-40°C, respectively. Betel is a sun-lov-ing plant but produces better-quality leaves in the wet and intermediate zones rather than in the dry zone. Appropriate shade levels and irriga-tion are essential for the successful cultivation of this crop. It requires special care for its cultivation, like

the sterilisation of soil, which is achieved mainly by solarisation. Well-drained, fertile and sandy soil is suit-able for its cultivation.

Geographical distribution in

IndiaThere are about a hun-

dred varieties of betel grown across the world, of which about 40 are found in India, and of these, 30 grow in West Bengal. Betel is an

important cash crop in Andhra Pradesh, Kar-nataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is also cultivated in Assam, Bi-har, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Table IV

running and maintenance CostItems (for 10 decimal) Cost in 2000

(Rs)Cost in 2010

(Rs)

Climbing sticks that need replacement every 3 months 1500 4000Fertiliser, pesticide, fungicide and hormones 500 1000Repairs of outside structure 300 1000Labour costs every 3 months (2 labourers twice a week @Rs 150 per day) 2000 7500Diesel cost for three months 400 1000Total cost of maintenance 4700 14,500

Table V

average annual incomeFor 10 decimal Profits in

2000 (Rs)Profits in 2010 (Rs)

First harvest in 3 months 1500-3000 2000-4000Subsequently, every 2 weeks 1500-3000 2000-4000Average annual income 36,000-72,000 48,000-96,000

Indian paanThe leaves of the betel vine are

popularly known as paan in India. Thse have a high economical and medicinal value but from ancient times they have been mostly used for chewing purposes and at ceremonial events.

Farmers of Madhya Pradesh and the Navada district of Bihar receive state aid. Madhya Pradesh offers Rs 30,000 or half of the cost of setting up a farm to each betel farmer. Bihar has been disbursing Rs 15,000 per half a decimal farm since 2008-09.

There has been decline of betel farming in India in 2011. While in ideal conditions, some farms gross an annual income (after expenses) of over Rs 26,000 per 10 decimal farms ($5,780 per acre), the income is highly erratic from year to year, because of varying rainfall patterns and spoilage rates of 35 to 70 per cent during trans-port (owing to poor infrastructure). Simultaneously, the demand for betel leaves has been dropping in India be-cause of the growing consumer pref-erence for gutkha (chewing tobacco) over betel leaf-based ‘paan’ prepara-tions. Betel leaf trading has dropped by 65 per cent between 2000 and 2010, resulting in a glut. As a result, Indian farmers do not find betel farm-ing lucrative anymore.

Dr K. Ramamurthi is principal, Coim-batore Institute of Management And Technology (CIMAT), while O. Usha Rani is M.Phil research scholar, Department of Management Studies and Research, Co-imbatore Institute of Management And Technology (CIMAT), Coimbatore

Traditional paan