DRUGS 



The tree grows chiefly throughout Ethiopia and in the Levant. 

 In some localities this tree is called Golden Shower on account 

 of its profusion of beautiful yellow flowers. 



AWA 



The Awa plant, or Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum) belongs 

 to the same genus with black pepper and is native of Hawaii 

 and other Pacific Islands. It is a small shrub 2 or 3 .feet high 

 with a large spongy root. The roots have been collected by 

 the Polynesian natives since prehistoric times for use in prepar- 

 ing an intoxicating beverage. The plant has not been generally 

 cultivated, but for the most part the roots have been obtained 

 from wild plants. Recently about 300 acres were planted to 

 Awa in Hawaii. This renewed interest in Awa is due to the 

 high price for the roots which followed upon a reputed dis- 

 covery of the value of the roots for medicinal purposes. A 

 few years ago the price of the roots was as high as $700 a ton. 

 At present, however, the price is hardly sufficient to warrant 

 the cultivation of the plant. It is propagated by stem cuttings. 

 The roots are dug at the age of 3 or 4 years. Since the plant 

 has been used for medicinal purposes the price of the roots has 

 ranged from $50 to $700 per ton. The roots contain 50 per 

 cent, of starch and 3 resins, one of which is an anesthetic in- 

 toxicant. The physiological effect of Awa is to produce a com- 

 plete muscular paralysis. 



ARECA NUT 



The Areca nut, also called Betel nut, is a tall handsome palm 

 (Areca catechu), 40 to 100 feet high, and native of Malaya 

 and Ceylon. This palm bears a large cluster of yellow nuts 

 about the size of a hen's egg. The kernel of the nut is sliced, 

 mixed with lime and the leaves of betel pepper, and chewed by 

 the natives. Among the natives of India the habit of chewing 

 the Betel nut is almost as common as the chewing of gum 



