Areca Nut

The Scientific name of the areca nut: Areca catechu

Name in different languages:-

Common name: Beetle nut, Areca palm, Pinang.

Sanskrit: Puga

Hindi: Supari

Tamil: Pakku-பாக்கு

Malayalam: Kamuku കമുക്, Adakkamaramഅടയ്ക്കാമരം, Kavungu കവുങ്ങ്,കമുങ്ങ്.

Plant description

Areca nut tree or Betel nut tree is an erect, tall tree, found in tropical areas, that grows up to 60 feet tall, the trunk is strong, and segmented, diameter of up to 30 cm. Leaves are 7 ft. long, pinnately arranged, with a numerous, crowded leaflets, broad leaflets, tip with jagged, dark green. Fruits are borne in clusters, which are dark green, turn orange while ripe, sized to about 2.5 inches in length.

Useful plant parts:

Fruit, bark, root

Medicinal uses:

Stomach pain, and dysentery, ripe fruit juice is used to treat insect bites, chewing with betel leaf and cunna ( Calcium carbonate) is useful to reduce toothache, gum infections, and bad breath, and taenifuge for tapeworm.

Ayurvedic uses of Areca catechu

1. Digestive Aid: Areca catechu is believed to stimulate digestion and improve appetite. It is often used in Ayurvedic formulations to treat digestive disorders.
2. Mouth Disorders: Areca catechu is a common ingredient in Ayurvedic tooth powders and pastes. It is believed to have antimicrobial properties and is used to treat various oral issues, such as gum disease and bad breath.
3. Respiratory Conditions: It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to address respiratory problems, including asthma and coughs.
4. Stimulant: Areca catechu contains alkaloids that act as mild stimulants. Traditionally, it has been used to increase alertness and reduce fatigue.
5. Aphrodisiac: In Ayurveda, Areca catechu is sometimes used as an aphrodisiac and to enhance sexual vigor.
6. Anti-worm: It is believed to have anthelmintic properties, which means it is used to expel intestinal worms.
7. Nervine Tonic: It is used as a nerve tonic to strengthen the nervous system, although its effectiveness for this purpose is not scientifically established.
8. Circulatory Stimulant: Some Ayurvedic practitioners use Areca catechu to improve blood circulation.
9. Antiseptic Properties: It is believed to have antiseptic properties and may be used externally for wound healing.
10. Anti-inflammatory: Areca catechu is sometimes used in traditional medicine to alleviate inflammation.
11. Cognitive Benefits: Some traditional uses suggest that Areca catechu may have cognitive benefits, such as improving memory and concentration.
12. Treats Headaches: It is used in Ayurveda to alleviate headaches and migraines.

Chemical content:

Alkaloids (Arecaidine and Arecoline),  tannin, gallic acid, volatile oil, lignin, Arecoline, Arecain, and Guracine.

Medicinal properties:

Aromatic,  Astringent,

How to prepare medicines:

Fruit juice is used in the folk treatment of Scorpion bites.

Chewing with betel leaf and tobacco is a  habit in some Kerala people called ‘Murukku’

Used as an ingredient in the Ayurveda medicines like:-

• Dasamoolarishtam
• Pippalyasavam
• Kumaryasavam
• Lodhrasavam

Tags: #Ayurvedic herbs, #Medicinal plants in Ayurveda, #Ayurvedic remedies, #Herbal medicine in Ayurveda, #Traditional Indian medicine, #Ayurvedic plant benefits, #Ayurvedic plant properties, #Ayurvedic plant uses, #Ayurvedic healing plants, #Ayurvedic plant encyclopedia, #Ayurvedic plant database, #Ayurvedic plant profiles, #Herbal remedies in Ayurveda, #Ayurvedic plant guide, #Ayurvedic plant identification, #Ayurvedic plant classification, #Ayurvedic plant preparations, #Ayurvedic plant research, #Ayurvedic plant pharmacology, #Ayurvedic plant monographs