The
betel (
Piper betle) is the leaf of a vine belonging to the
Piperaceae family, which includes
pepper and
kava. It is valued both as a mild
stimulant and for its medicinal properties. Betel leaf is mostly consumed in Asia, and elsewhere in the world by some Asian emigrants, as betel quid or in
paan, with or without
tobacco, in an addictive psychostimulating and
euphoria-inducing formulation with adverse health effects. Betel is notable for
staining the teeth of regular users.