HERBAL GARDEN

Vivek college of Ayurvedic Sciences & Hospital Bijnor UP

पान

Classification

Synoyms

Tambula (Sanskrit)
Nagavalli
Vettila (Malayalam)
Vilya / Tamboolam (Ayurvedic texts)

Habit

Perennial, evergreen, climbing vine.

Habitat

Native to Southeast Asia. Extensively cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia. Grows well in hot, humid climates with partial shade.

Morphology

  • Leaves: Heart-shaped, glossy, green, aromatic
  • Stem: Slender, green to purplish, rooting at nodes
  • Flowers: Tiny, unisexual, arranged on slender spikes
  • Fruits: Rarely formed under cultivation

Chemical Composition

Essential oils (chavicol, eugenol, carvacrol)
Tannins
Alkaloids
Terpenes
Flavonoids
Polyphenols
Steroids

Guna-Karma

Rasa-Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
Guna- Laghu (light), Tikshna (sharp), Ruksha (dry)
Virya- Ushna (hot)
Vipaka- Katu (pungent)
Karma- Deepana , Rochana , Krimighna , Shothahara , Mukharochaka
Doshakarma- Pacifies Vata and Kapha

Medicinal uses

Improves digestion and relieves constipation •
Used in oral disorders and bad breath
Acts as a carminative and mild stimulant
Effective in treating cough, cold, and throat irritation
Antiseptic and wound-healing properties
Used traditionally as aphrodisiac and in mouth fresheners
Chewing with other herbs (e.g., cardamom, clove) enhances its effect

Useful Part

Leaves

Doses

Leaf juice: 10–15 ml
Fresh leaves (for chewing): 1–2 leaves
Powdered leaf: 1–2 g

Important Formulation

Tambula Patra Churna
Paan Patra Swarasa

Shloka

तम्बूलं कटुकं रुक्षं च, शीतं तिक्तं स्निग्धवीर्यकम्।
मधुरविपाकं शोणितं च, दीपनं कासश्वासहरम्॥

Hindi Name​

पान (Paan)

English Name

Betel Leaf

Botanical Name

Piper betel

Family

Piperaceae