Areca catechu
A handsome tree cultivated in all the warmer parts of Asia
for its yellowish-red fruits the size of a hen's egg, containing the seed
about the size of an acorn. A betel quid traditionally consists of at least
three ingredients. The nuts of the betelpalm, together with Lime and possibly
other ingredients are wrapped in the aromatic leaves of Piper betel, the betel-pepper.
The chewing of betel in India is considered to date back some 8000 years.
Betel chewing has important social and religious connotations. It is an offering
to the gods, an important expression of friendship and playes an important
role in rituals such as marriages.
Whole shiploads of the nuts are exported annually from Sumatra, Malacca, Siam and Cochin China. In this country Areca Nut is made into a dentrifrice on account of its astringent properties. Catechu is often made by boiling down the seeds of the plant to the consistency of an extract, but the proper Catechu used in Britain is produced from the Acacia catechu. The flowers are very sweet-scented and in Borneo are used in medicines as charms for the healing of the sick. In India the nut has long been used as a taenifuge for tapeworm. The action of Arecain resembles that of Muscarine and Pilocarpine externally, internally used it contracts the pupils. Areca Nut contains a large quantity of tannin, also gallic acid, a fixed oil gum, a little volatile oil, lignin, and various saline substances. Four alkaloids have been found in Areca Nut - Arecoline, Arecain, Guracine, and a fourth existing in very small quantity. Arecoline resembles Pilocarpine in its effects on the system.
Betel nuts (1 ounce) - $5.99
Betel nuts (4 ounces) - $20.99