Thursday 17 November 2011

DAUN KADUK (WILD BETEL LEAF)


Those who are not in the know would usually confuse the daun kaduk (Piper sarmentosum) for the daun sireh (Piper betle) or betel leaves.  This is understandable as they do look rather alike and also belong to the same genus.  The English name for Daun Kaduk is Wild Betel leaf. It is also referred to as wild pepper.  
My friends and I like to eat the young shoot as ulam (salad).  I use it as an ingredient for a herbal bath.  Besides that the Daun Kaduk is also used in traditional medicine.  Here in Malaysia, the leaf is boiled in hot water and eaten to relieve fever, coughs and flu.  For those suffering from toothache,they can chew the kaduk leaf together with ginger to relieve the pain.

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