nary practices as a vermifuge for tapeworms. Of all the 
alkaloids in the nut, it is only arecoline which has toxic 
properties. The juice of tender nuts is reported to act as 
a laxative when given in small doses. This decoction, in 
conjunction with other drugs, is used for costiveness and 
dyspepsia. The burned nut is said to be used as a denti- 
frice. A strong decoction of the ripe seeds is also used for 
dyeing red and black shades. 
Betel leaves. The essential oils from betel leaves are 
used in treating catarrhal affections, inflammations of the 
throat, larynx and bronchi; they exert an antiseptic ac- 
tion, and also can be used with advantage in diphtheria. 
The juice of fresh leaves is diluted and given as a dose 
when the oils are not readily obtainable. The fresh juice, 
mixed with lime, is applied to the throat in glandular in- 
flammation. Many ayurvedic medicinal pills are admin- 
istered with the fresh juice of betel leaves. The leaf. is 
smeared with oil, warmed and applied as a poultice to 
sores. 
Economic IMporRTANCE OF THE PALM 
The betel nut palm is one of the most important eco- 
nomic plantation crops. The amount of nuts used in 
India alone give some idea of its importance. It may be 
safely said that about eight to ten million dollars worth 
of nuts are used annually in India. She imports, besides 
her own production, over 56,000 tons of betel nuts, and 
absorbs almost all the surplus of the major betel-nut pro- 
ducing countries like Ceylon, Straits Settlements, Indo- 
nesia, ete. 
As in the case of tobacco, coffee and tea, the betel nuts 
are also taxed and the government gets considerable rev- 
enue out of the nuts. There are areca nut merchant asso- 
ciations in plantation areas to safeguard the plantation 
interests and to regulate production and disposal of the 
[ 204 ] 
