Areca catechu , also named betel palm, is a handsome tree cultivated throughout the warmer parts of Asia for its yellowish-red fruits, which contain conical-shaped seeds with a flattened base. They are brownish in color externally, and internally are mottled like a nutmeg. Areca catechu seeds, also known as betel nuts, have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine as an antiparasitic agent for thousands of years.

Some constituents of betel nut have antihypertensive properties. Both leaves and nuts are used for the treatment of diarrhea, dropsy, sunstroke, beri beri, throat inflammations, edema, lumbago, bronchial catarrh, and urinary disorders.


Economic and other uses

Cultivated and planted in home gardens for the sweet fruit. Also planted as an ornamental. Used as a source of traditional medicines and essential oils in some countries. 5% of the world's population chew the nut as a stimulant but heavy use can have long term health impacts.