Talk:Betel nut chewing

Cultural perspective
The article appears to reflect a cultural perspective, focusing in the health issues, before discussing everything else. I don't see the same thing is hamburger or steak. Malaiya (talk) 00:22, 21 February 2018 (UTC)

The part about the colonial Prejudice is not POV
Contempt can be ignored or made mild by Europeans, but from Asia we see this differently. In the citation it does say "The natives chew these nuts all day" and "and chewed by the natives. They stain the lips and teeth red and also the excrement, they are hot and acrid when chewed. " this is certainly not what someone from Indonesia would write about the leafe or the nut or about the substances mixed together. We respect and we cherish our customs and the word "natives" the way it is used is derogatory. Kampong people58.10.80.244 (talk) 06:05, 25 September 2008 (UTC)


 * The word "natives" is the correct and inoffensive term for people born in a specific geographic reason, and mere use of that word is laughably inadequate to support the lengthy essay on the evils of colonialism included in the article. 67.158.66.240 (talk) 22:47, 25 September 2008 (UTC)


 * The section about colonial prejudice does not constitute an OR original research and also not a POV. It is also ont from a single source. The section is mostly a summary for what the rest of the article says. The remaining part of what the section says is not rocket science:


 * 1.The colonizers did not take the habit, so they looked at it from afar.
 * 2. Regarding the wrong use of the term betel, you only have to refer to the section below and the article on Betel where there is enough evidence about the difference between the term for the leaf and the term for the nut in the different laguages of the stuff's user countries.
 * 3. Regarding the reverence and importance of the stuff (Vietnam, India, ...) there are referenced paragraphs in the remaining article.
 * 4. Furthermore: since the nut represents the male priciple and the betel the female, in most user cultures the term "betel-nut" is not a happy combination because it puts the female part of the whole first.
 * 5. If you look carefully at the pages preceding the cleanup of the article, when many repetitions were removed, you will realize that most of this section is a synthesis of what contributors from different countries in Asia had written. So please allow me to remove the unwarranted tag and greetings from Southeast Asia! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.27.16.206 (talk) 04:15, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

Tambool
This article does not even mention the word Tambool although there is ref. to it in two other articles on wikipedia. I don't know the exact definition of Tambool from Sanskrit, it maybe the betel leaf itself, or the betel leaf combined with the internal ingredients or, its just the Sanskrit for the "tradition" of paan in total. Mazighe (talk) 00:49, 14 February 2009 (UTC)

Tambool or Tanbool refers to the Betel Leaf in Sanskrit. However in common usage, also refers to the serving of the Paan with the leaf itself. Thus the presentation can be on a tray of Tambool leaves or the actual kit one would carry on the go to prepare the Paan kah Beeda or Masaala to serve. Also, there could be a lot more mentioned in this article on how the Betel and Areca are actually prepared and the various ingredients it is served with. Yes it is mixed with Lime but you are not geting a wad of Lime powder or you would burn yourself. There are many pastes the lime is mixed with & various ingredients used depending on the occassion. 81.102.111.206 (talk) 11:12, 23 October 2016 (UTC)

More countries
I think more countries should be highlighted in green, on that map. For example, some of the Arabian Gulf countries and maybe even China. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.45.23.98 (talk) 04:50, 18 January 2009 (UTC)
 * I think so too. My father in law bought some every time they filled up their gas in Taiwan... --Billy Nair (talk) 21:02, 25 February 2010 (UTC)

Pan Dan origin
Pan dan is not an Urdu, but a Hindi term. Pan meaning a leaf, and Daan: process of giving or a container (derived from Sanskrit Da). It would be more accurate if languages could mentioned accurately.

Reference : http://spokensanskrit.de/index.php?tinput=daa —Preceding unsigned comment added by Lbharti (talk • contribs) 05:41, 21 June 2009 (UTC)


 * Urdu and Hindi are essentially the same language, originally spoken in the same region, although they have diverged since the times of Wali Deccani (1667–1707). I should point out that "dan" (دان) in pan-dan is Farsi, which means a container. Malaiya (talk) 00:16, 21 February 2018 (UTC)

Benefits of chewing paan
What are the benefits of chewing it? The article talks at length of the ceremonial or traditional use, and says it is a pallet cleanser but is it more than that? Does it create some chemical "enhancement" for the user like chewing tobacco might? is it strictly something for your mouth to do like chewing gum, with nothing more to offer than an activity which may aid in reduction of bad breath? --Billy Nair (talk) 21:08, 25 February 2010 (UTC)

I was just about to add a comment on this as well.. does it have some kind of euphoric effect ? What are the processes involved.. What are the addictive elements. This article seems to be missing the central point. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.101.79.144 (talk) 11:54, 5 November 2010 (UTC)


 * I just reviewed the first reference for this article, IT references the effects from another paper that makes claims that are remarkably similar to claims regarding cannabis, such as schizophrenia in a large number of users, tolerance, but the intoxication symptoms are described as mild as that of tobacco. Frankly, I find that suspect and would have a MUCH better view if another reference were provided on the intoxicating effects, dependance levels, withdrawl symptoms, etc. Good science is good information, not ONE study being claimed as fact!Wzrd1 (talk) 04:01, 1 December 2011 (UTC)

Coverage of US/UK/Canada useage/legality?
I'm not familiar enough to contribute to the article, but I think it'd be a really interesting additition to include (footnoted) info on useage and legality in the US, UK, and Canada, presumably mainly in the immigrant communities. The first time I ever tried paan was bought from an Indian bottle-shop in Whitechapel (London), and I wondered whether it were completely legal, somewhat "under the table" as a product, or what. If someone with insight and links to authoritative info can help build this up, it's be an interesting additional section(s). MatthewVanitas (talk)


 * 5 seconds of Google shows me that it is legal in the US. Didn't bother with Canada or the UK, a matter of "Do your OWN homework". That said, I'm not about to run out and try it! I just like being well informed.Wzrd1 (talk) 04:04, 1 December 2011 (UTC)


 * Betel preparations / paan when chewed cause heavy salivation. If it is a traditional paan with tobacco and slaked lime, you would prefer to spit that saliva, rather than swallow the stomach-upsetting carcinogenic mixture. It will be a dark red, staining spit thick with tobacco residue and human saliva waste. That is where you are likely to get in trouble with law, if there are any laws in the community on defacing public property, public environment pollution laws, anti-litter laws, and such. Of course, you can chew it in private, standing inside your bathroom, spit and stain your bathroom, get your family or friends upset, etc. and prolly get away with it. On the matter of adding legality of paan in the US, UK etc - it is a good idea. Someone has to dig into local, state and federal laws on paan and the pollution consequences of chewing paan. ApostleVonColorado (talk) 16:05, 1 December 2011 (UTC)


 * @ wzrd1 - Several minutes of fairly intensive searching has not yielded such results for me. Can you provide a link? Note that it is not the Paan/"Betel Nut" itself that is likely to be illegal, but the chemicals in the plants themselves and/or the raw plant forms (betel leaves and areca plants). I did find that Areca Nut is legal (coverage is available here on wikipedia). Just not the Betel Leaf. I feel motivated by personal curiosity but don't like the idea of doing it illegally. --—  r obbie  page talk 14:53, 29 June 2012 (UTC)

The effects of Paan?
Can someone please try to research and add the actual subjective effects of this "psychoactive" and "stimulant" concoction? Not the tobacco part but the betel nut and areca nut part? Thanks. Invertzoo (talk) 20:40, 6 June 2014 (UTC)

I've tried it in Papua New Guinea on several occasions (PNG is notably missing from the article) and the effects can best be described as a very light cannabis high, you feel pretty happy and everything is alright, but you're also a bit restless like you had a cup of coffee too much or something. Best description I can think of atm. Cheers! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.216.70.161 (talk) 18:06, 24 April 2015 (UTC)

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ridiculous statements
ridiculous statement, tis not chewing betel leaf which gives cancer, but the tobacco60.52.50.71 (talk) 07:05, 28 January 2019 (UTC)

Northern India by 500 BP?
That is obviously incorrect. Paan has been in Northern Indian for much longer.

Mandsaur Silk Weavers Guild Inscription from Kumaragupta (473 CE) period: (Vol.III Plate XXXV p.322 to 332 of CORPUS INSCRIPTIONUM INDICARUM):
 * Verse 20: "Womankind, though saturated with youth and complexion (and) decorated with golden necklaces, betel leaves and flower-dressing, does not attain to transcendent beauty until she has put on a pair of silken garments.."

Anuvaya-Rayana-Paiva by Poet Lakshmana, Vikram Samvat 1313: description of prosperous Rayavaddiya city. While implies that people of Rayavaddiya are propserous enough to chew paan.
 * " where the city streets are colored red because of the tambula ..."

Malaiya (talk) 21:41, 17 April 2019 (UTC)

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Lime question
The addition of lime to the mixture is repeatedly mentioned, but doesn't seem to be explained. Why is lime added? Does it improve the taste? Does it perform a chemical function such as extracting important substances from the nut? TooManyFingers (talk) 17:36, 28 March 2024 (UTC)