Areca catechu

Botanical name : Areca catechu Linn.
Family : Arecaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Kramuka, Pooga, Pumgiphala, Guvaka, Khoranda, Udvegam

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Madhura
Guna : Guru, Rooksha, Vyavayi
Virya : Seeta
Vipaka : Katu

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Arecanut tree, Betelnut tree
Hindi : Supari
Malayalam : Kavungu, Kamuku, Kamungu, Adakkamaram

Distribution – Cultivated in various parts of India, especially on South India.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A tall slender unibranched palm tree grows up to 40-60 meters in height. Leaves pinnate with conspicuous sheaths; flowers in broad spadix, monoecious, male numerous, at upper part and female few, at base. Fruits smooth globose, smooth and orange when ripe, containing single seed.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, urinary system diseases, worm infestations, dental caries, constipation, traumatic edema, infection, anorexia and indigestion. In overdose it may cause fainting and excessive salivation. Habitual chewing of betalnut is carcinogenic.
Useful part : Root, Leaves, fruits.