Can betel leaves cure acid reflux?

Chemical composition of betel leaves

Health & Life Newspaper quoted Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, Head of the Daytime Treatment Unit and a traditional medicine specialist at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, as saying that the betel plant contains diverse chemical components, including:

- Fragrance essential oils; Betel-phenol; Chavicol; Eugenol; Methyl eugenol; Allylcatechol;

- Cadinene; Tannin; Amino acids; Vitamin; p-cymen; Chavibetol

- In betel leaves there is 0.8-1.8%, sometimes up to 2.4% essential oil with a specific gravity of 0.958-1.057, with a creosote (firewood) aroma and a hot taste. In the essential oil, people have identified two phenolic substances, betel-phenol (isomer with eugenol chavibetol C10H12O2 and chavicol), along with a number of other phenolic compounds.

Pharmacological effects of betel leaves: Betel leaf extract and essential oil have inhibitory activity against some bacterial strains (in vitro) such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, hemolytic streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and fungal strains Candida albicans, C. stellatoides, Aspergillus niger. The antifungal activity is comparable to resorenilol.

According to traditional medicine, betel leaves have a spicy taste, a pungent aroma, and warm properties, and are classified into the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. They have the effects of eliminating rheumatism, preventing cold, lowering gas, reducing phlegm, reducing inflammation, and disinfecting.

In India, betel leaves and essential oil are used to treat secretions, lung diseases and as a poultice and mouthwash. Betel leaves are included in traditional Indian medicines along with other herbs used to treat asthma.

Can betel leaves cure acid reflux?

Health & Life Newspaper quoted Dr. Phan Bich Hang - Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Hanoi Medical University, saying that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition today. The disease occurs when acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus, causing uncomfortable symptoms such as belching, heartburn, epigastric burning and sometimes nausea.

Whether betel leaves can cure gastric reflux is a matter of concern to many people.

The disease can affect the quality of life of the sufferer, especially when symptoms occur frequently.

Current treatments include antacids, stomach acid neutralizers, and dietary and lifestyle changes.

Among them, betel leaf water has recently received much attention and research as a method that can relieve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Betel leaves are a medicinal herb used in traditional medicine in many Asian countries, especially in Vietnam. Betel leaves contain compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, natural essential oils such as chavicol, eugenol, which have strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.

In traditional medicine, betel leaves are spicy and warm, often used to treat some digestive problems, relieve pain and even heal injuries.

Although there have not been many large-scale studies to confirm the benefits of betel leaves in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, some of its effects have been noted to help improve symptoms of the disease.

Betel leaves contain eugenol, a powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial substance. With this property, betel leaves can reduce inflammation of the stomach and esophagus caused by stomach acid.

In addition, the natural essential oils in betel leaves have the ability to stimulate digestion by increasing digestive secretions and reducing bloating. This helps the stomach digest food faster, thereby reducing pressure in the stomach and reducing the risk of acid reflux into the esophagus.

Polyphenol compounds in betel leaves have strong antibacterial properties, helping to eliminate harmful bacteria in the stomach, thereby reducing the risk and symptoms of the disease.

How to use betel leaves to help treat gastroesophageal reflux

Dr. Phan Bich Hang instructs how to use betel leaves to maximize benefits without causing side effects in supporting the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease as follows:

Method 1: Drink betel leaf water

- Ingredients: 5-7 fresh betel leaves, 200ml filtered water.

- How to do:

+ Wash betel leaves with salt water to remove dirt and impurities.

+ Boil about 200 ml of water, then add betel leaves, simmer for 10-15 minutes to let the essence in the leaves dissolve into the water.

+ Strain the water, let it cool, drink about 200ml after meals.

Note: Drink betel leaf water 1-2 times a day, after meals. Avoid drinking too much as it can irritate the stomach.

Method 2: Chew betel leaves

Every day, take a betel leaf, cut off the stem and the pointed tip, add a little salt, chew and swallow both the pulp and the juice (before or after eating).

If the disease is severe, you can eat 3 leaves a day: morning, noon, and evening, one leaf each time.

When chewing, try to swallow the juice from the leaves and chew until the betel leaves are dry, then discard the betel leaves.

This method is very simple and saves time, but is often not suitable for all types of people, because betel leaves often have a spicy taste that is difficult to chew and swallow.

Note: Betel leaves can irritate the stomach lining if used in excess. Only consume small amounts and do not consume continuously for a long time. Some people may be allergic to betel leaves. If you see any signs such as rash, itching, difficulty breathing, stop using immediately.

Ha An (Synthesis)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/la-trau-khong-co-chua-duoc-benh-trao-nguoc-da-day-ar905882.html