In the past when I was little, my village was still a natural village and did not even have electricity. Living in the countryside since I was born, made me grow up with the tradition of traditional medicine. I used to use plants that grew wild around my house.
Time passed, many had changed. My hometown has turned into a small town that has been built housing. Wild plants that were previously useful for curing various diseases, can no longer grow by themselves.
Villagers must cultivate herbs themselves. Of the many herbs that must be in my garden, one of them is "Sirih" a.k.a. Betel.
I could say Betel Plant became a legendary plant of my family. There are so many benefits from the betel plant that our family has felt. I will share some of the following:
1.Clean the eyes from dust
As a tropical region, my village often gets hot and roads on the outskirts of the village that have not been properly paved, create dust that makes the eyes irritated.
So, to treat this eye irritation, my mother taught me to clean my eyes with a betel leaf bath.
The trick, soak a piece of betel leaf with boiling water. Let stand until the boiling water cools, then use it to wash the eyes. Use a flat container like a plate, then bring it to the eyes, so that when the eyes blink, the water of the betel leaf can hit the inside of the eye.
The thing to remember is that betel leaf must be completely sterile before dousing with hot water. And this use should not be done often, because it will cause side effects if too often used on the eyes.
2.Traditional Mouthwash
Today, modern mouthwashes are available that are easily found on the market. Modern mouthwash is of course more practical to use, save time.
Modern people like us, of course, prefer everything that is practical because it saves time.
Meanwhile, traditional people have known the immersion of betel leaf for mouthwash that is effective in driving away bad breath and avoiding various other oral cavity diseases.
Likewise with my family who used to use the betel leaf marinade as a gargling remedy. I admit that at this time we rarely use traditional gargling drugs. Only if at certain times.
3.Nosebleeds
Hot weather in my area, a small town on Sumatra Island, makes me often nosebleed. Since childhood, I was familiar with nosebleeds when the temperature was dry and the weather was very hot. This type of nosebleed which is indeed not a serious impact of an illness, usually only occurs in one nostril.
A powerful traditional medicine, which I have never forgotten is to treat my nosebleeds. The trick is simply to roll the betel leaf, then slowly gently enter the nosebleed nostrils. Then lie down until the nosebleed stops.
BEAUTY ASPECT, As Traditional Mascara
On the other hand, betel plants are also beneficial in the aspect of beauty. The thing I often do from the past until now is using the stem of betel and aloe vera as mascara.
The trick is just to take aloe vera with betel sticks, then apply it to the lashes.
Regular use makes eyelashes thick and supple.
SELL / BUY ASPECT
My family can sell betel plants to our neighbors who are used to eating betel as a cultural tradition since they are called "Bersirih". This tradition comes from the words betel in Indonesian (Sirih).
Communities from various tribes in Indonesia, such as Malay, Batak, and so on, like to do this tradition.
The "Betel" Tradition is done with a complete set of betel are areca nuts and lime. These elements have a very meaningful philosophy in our society.
That's why my family often sells these betel leaves to my neighbors.
Besides being useful for health and beauty, of course this small plant can provide additional income for our family.
See you at my next story about my garden!
