The Benefits of Growing Betel Plant in Our Garden

 

Betel plant at Ichi's Garden - Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti

Talking about the Betel plant, are you excited? I have believed not many of you realize the benefits of growing it in our garden. Therefore in this article, I would like to tell you what are the benefits we get by having this certain plant in our lovely garden. It is not only good for the environment but also good for our health.

I have mentioned a story when the doctor diagnosed me that I had tonsilitis. And because my father could not afford the routine check-up and eventually hospital surgery, I took traditional herbs to heal myself from tonsilitis. As a result, since my first year in high school, every day I drank a glass of Betel leaf water. Believe me, if I had opted at the time, I would not do it as the taste made me nauseous. However, I endured this hard time for about 3 years!👊Only after I studied at a university that was far away from my hometown, I stopped to drink this awful taste of water. A year later, I tried to eat deep-fried snacks and cool drinks again. Surprisingly, I did not have any symptoms like fever and swelling, in another word, I was amazingly FINE! My success had been spread by a local doctor in my hometown so that any children in my village who had tonsilitis issues could follow in my footstep to drink Betel leaf daily. Of course, I was so proud of myself as I was able to give inspiration to others even though just a small thing. Indeed, as far as I know, the research about it has not been conducted yet so it is literally no proof that Betel leaf can eradicate tonsilitis, and this is just based on my experience. Whether you believe it or not, it is up to you!😉

From what I had experienced in the past, I have to value the Betel plant and grow it in my garden. Compared to other people I know, some of them look down on and underestimate this particular plant. The reason is that this is just "kampoeng" (kampoeng means village) vegetation. As many people in my birthplace only care about status in society for instance collecting expensive plants or flowers to be acknowledged as a wealthy family. From my perspective, every single floral in this world has a purpose, moreover, they give benefits to us as human beings where we have to live and coexist side by side. If we value any flowers, we will notice that all of those trees, bushes, and even plants with thorns on it, all of them are valuable to living things. 

By growing the Betel plant in our garden we will get some benefits. Firstly, because of the shiny green leaves make the garden looks radiant. We can enjoy the green view. I do remember the time when my father grew this foliage plant. He planted it outside the bathroom wall where wasted water from household bass by. This plant had grown bigger and nice to see as some ducks we had frequently swam under the shrub. In addition, my grandma did not have to buy Betel leaves, whenever she needed them, just grabbed them from the garden which was a fresh and naturally growing plant. At the time, many elderly women used to chew Betel leaf at least third times a day. They believed by chewing it made their teeth long-lasting. Another benefit we get is to make it remedies for health issues such as tonsilitis. Furthermore, I boil some Betel leaves and use the water to solve my discharge problem by using this water as an intimate wash. This traditional method reduces the discharge issue and eventually we, women, will be free from this annoying problem. Again, there is no research for it to prove that Betel leaf is able to address this particular women's issue.

So, in a nutshell, the Betel leaf has benefits for us if we grow it in our garden. Sometimes, people see a plant or flower based on its price to elevate status social in the community. Each plant on this planet has its own purpose, that is what I have believed. Therefore, do not see floral by their prices on the market, but consider what the advancements are if we grow them. 

Note:

• Written by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Photographed by Acik Mardhiyanti
• Do not copy this article without permission
• Do not reuse these photographs anywhere else without permission