.

Woman in Blue with Baskets. South India., originally uploaded by Ganga108.

Another extraordinary and beautiful woman.

Betel Nut trees grow well in South India, and all parts are used in various ways. India sets an example in not only use of product but also reuse and recycling of products.

Betel nuts are chewed for the feelings of well-being and euphoria that it produces. Chewing produces a red liquid in the mouth and ultimately will stain the mouth and teeth. In some areas, chewing betel nut was/is a social practice.

There is a story that when the Portuguese landed in Goa, West India, they saw everyone spitting copious amounts of dark red material and were horrified that everyone suffered from TB. Not so, it was only the betel nut. :)