Areca Nut
Areca catechu
| Family | Arecaceae |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Puga |
| हिंदी | सुपारी |
| മലയാളം | അടയ്ക്ക |
| Parts used | seed |
The areca palm is a tall, slender palm with a ringed trunk and a crown of feathery leaves. It is widely grown in Kerala and Karnataka for its seeds, the areca nut, which are chewed with betel leaf.
Known in Sanskrit as Puga, the seed is mentioned in classical Ayurveda and is traditionally used in small amounts in mouth-care and tooth powders. Habitual chewing of areca nut is linked with serious oral health risks.
Articles are for general information about Ayurveda and personal care and are not medical advice. For any health condition, please see a qualified doctor.
