Areca Catechu ( Betel Nut Palm ): Overview
Introduction
Areca catechu, commonly known as the areca nut palm, is a species of palm that grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is most widely known for its seeds, often referred to as areca nuts or betel nuts. These seeds are commonly chewed for their stimulant effects, often wrapped in betel leaves and combined with lime (calcium hydroxide) and sometimes tobacco, forming a product known as paan.The areca palm is a medium-sized and slender tree, reaching heights of 15-30 meters. It has a smooth, often slightly ringed trunk and feathery, arching leaves. The seeds, or nuts, are oval and fibrous, with a hard exterior. They are orange to red when ripe and contain alkaloids such as arecoline, which has stimulating effects.
Botanical Name:
Areca catechu Linn.
Family:
Palmae
Urdu Name:
Supari, Chaliya, Fofil
English Name:
Betel Nut
Parts Used:
Nut.
Temperament:
Cold + dry
Order:
2nd order
Geographical source:
Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Japan, China, Sri Lanka.
Organoleptic evaluation:
Appearance:
Shape: Conical or oval
Color: Green ( immature),yellow or orange ( mature)
Size: 4-6 cm long, 2-4 cm in diameter.
Texture:
Hard and woody( unripe)
Soft and fibrous ( ripe)
Taste:
Bitter and astringent ( unripe)
Sweet and slightly bitter( ripe)
Smell:
Pungent and aromatic
Other: Freshness, Ripe Arecha catechu is more fragrant and less bitter than unripe ones.
Sound; Ripe nuts produce a hollow sound when shaken
Pharmacological Actions / Function:
Astringent, stimulant, sialagogue, masticatory, remove bad taste from mouth, sweeten breath, anthelmintic, emmenagogue, repercussive, resolvent of inflammations (of warm-origin).Stimulant for the peristaltic movement of the intestines and bowels, produces a marked constriction of the bronchial
muscles (generally acts an hour after administration).
Specific Action:
Astringent, anthelmintic and repercussive (especially for
inflammations of warm-origin)
Chemical Constituents:
Arecoline. arecaidine, guvacine, isoguvacine, and guvacoline. Tannins present in betel nut are mainly proanthocyanidins along with catechins and arecatannin. Polyphenols, polysaccharides, fibers, fatty acids, alkaloids.
Mode of Action:
1-GIT protection ( digestive system):
ARECOLINE ( constituent of arecha catechu) activates calcium channels in colonic smooth muscle cells, leading to muscle contractility and intestinal peristalsis. ARECOLINE acts on cholinergic M3 receptors, increasing the average amplitude of circular smooth muscle contraction wave. Acetylcholine bind to M3 receptors on smooth muscle cells , leading to increased contraction and peristalsis ( movement of digestive tract) ,and it enhances gut motility, helping to move food through digestive system. Arecoline stimulates gastric acid secretion, creating an acidic environment for enzyme activation and digestion.
2-Antidepressants activity:
ARECOLINE can increase serotonin and nor-epinephrine levels and it has the potential to be developed for the treatment of neurodegeneration diseases. Arecha catechu contains MAO inhibitors ( MAOIS) ,which block the breakdown of monoamine, neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. MAO-A inhibitors also leads to increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine which are involved in motivation, pleasure and attention.
Medicinal Uses:
- The Betel nuts are recommended largely against tapeworms and roundworms, especially in veterinary practice, given in case of diarrhoea and dysentery.
- The nuts are also considered digestive, emmenagogue, and as astringent lotion for eyes causing dilatation of pupil, applied to bleeding gums, to strengthen teeth, to ulcers, and for urinary discharges, particularly useful for arresting watery discharges from vagina and also as useful in pyrosis of pregnancy.
- Chief use of betel nut in the Orient is as breath sweatening masticatory enjoyed by people from centuries and use in Pan.
- In conjunctivitis and epiphora the nut is made into ash, made more fine and applied as collyrium gives relief.
Compound Preparations:
Ma’jun Supari, Hab Hamal, Hab Limun, Sunun Poast
Mughilan, Ma’jun Kalan, Ma’jun Mochrus, Ma’jun Nishara-iAajwali.
Dosage:
3 to 5 g. (powdered or dried into ash).
Corrigent:
Katira (Cochlospermum religiosum(L.) Alston, Lime, Ilaichi
Khurd (Elettaria cardamomum(L.) Maton.
Tenedium:
Sandal Surkh(Pterocarpus santalinusLinn.).
Side effects:
As large as 30 grams of betel nut is practically reported to be non-toxic, however fresh-nut which is commonly not used in medicines is somewhat intoxicating and may produce giddiness in some individuals. Regarded as causing roughness in the pectoral region and may become a cause of kidney and bladder stones.
Prescription:
1- For Female Disease:
( Vaginal Discharge)
Areca Catechu (Betel Nut Palm) 20g
Cassia Lignea (Taj) 10g
Chlorophytum borivilianum (Musli Safed) 20g
Trapa natans (Singara) 20g
Crystal Sugar (Masri) 100g
Make a powder and fill capsule.
Usage:
1 Capsule before meal twice a day with water.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Areca catechu, widely known as the areca nut palm, holds considerable cultural, economic, and social significance in various tropical regions. Its primary use, the chewing of areca nuts, plays a central role in many traditional practices and social customs. While the cultivation of areca nuts supports numerous livelihoods and has a long history in traditional medicine, the associated health risks, particularly the link to oral cancers and other diseases, present significant public health concerns. Balancing its cultural importance and economic benefits with the need to address its health impacts remains a complex challenge for communities and policymakers.