The areca nut is the seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific (Melanesia and Micronesia), Southeast and South Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly referred to as betel nut.
other names
Betel palm, Betel Nut Palm, Areca Palm, Areca Nut Palm, Indian Nut, Pinang Palm, Adakka, Angiro, Adike, Areca nut, Bo, Bonga, Bua, Bu, Buai, Chambe, Bunga, Gaisa, Kasu, Heta, Kikiro fasia, Malua, Maak, Nokalua, Mpopoo, Nyia nwotapi, Pakku, Ota, Pan, Pinang, Pijaka, Poogiphalam, Poc, Pu, Pua mouku, Pua liki, Pua, Pugua, Puak, Supari, Vua, Vakka
Traditional uses
It is used to eliminate tapeworms as well as intestinal parasites.
The chewing of betel leaf and areca nut is an aid for bad breath.
It provides relief from hunger, exhaustion, abdominal pains, leprosy, leucoderma, anemia and obesity.
It provides relief from abdominal discomfort as well as weariness.
It possesses laxative and diuretic effects.
It is used to treat malaria and dysentery.
It is a treatment for nasal ulcers.
The rind is useful for bloating, flatulence, constipation and also treats oedema.
The flowers are used to heal sickness.
Nut could be used dried, fresh or cured by baking, boiling and roasting.
It is used for the treatment for urinary problems.
The burnt nuts are used in dentrifice.
It is used as a palate cleanser.
It is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat fever, headaches and rheumatism.
It is used in China for treating parasitic infection.
The bark is useful for dropsical, flatulence and obstructive diseases.
The powdered dried fruits are heated with coconut oil in Southern India and are applied on burns topically.
The young green shoots are used in Malaya as abortifacient.
It is used in India to treat skin ulcers.
It is used in Tamil and Kerala to treat migraine headaches.
It is helpful for low blood pressure, diarrhea, slow heart rate and other intestinal problems.
It is used to treat facial paleness, physical weakness and anemia.
It is an aid for pain in shins, backache and uneasiness.
It is useful for treating leucoderma, obesity and leprosy.