218 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



16. (Fig. 36.) ARECA. Areca nut. 

 Fl. ex. 60. Fine meal. Charcoal, powdered. 



Betel nut, E. Betelmiss, Arekanuss, G. Noix d'arec, Fr. 



The seeds of Areca Catechu L., Palmae. 



Bright reddish brown. 



Nearly odorless. Characteristic when fresh. 



Astringent. 



Endosperm cells with very thick porous walls, containing fat and 

 proteid granules; radially elongated conical reddish brown epidermal 

 cells (palisade tissue). Large aleuron granules with well developed 

 crystalloids. 



17. ARMORACEA. Horseradish. 



The fresh and dried prepared roots of Cochkaria armor ado, L., 

 (Roripa armor acia) , Cruciferae. 



Grated horseradish is of very light color, brownish. 



Faint odor. 



Hot, biting taste, when fresh. 



The parenchyma cells are thin-walled, elongated, loosely united 

 containing numerous starch granules. Starch granules are simple, 

 oval to elliptical; hili and lamellations very indistinct to invisible; 5 

 to 10 microns in diameter; polarizing effects not appreciable. Elong- 

 ated, thin walled loosely united otherwise typical parenchyma cells; 

 porous and reticulate ducts. 



Ash should not exceed 6 per cent. 



Horseradish has been used as an adulterant of aconite root, and 

 conversely aconite has been accidentally mixed with horseradish roots 

 resulting in fatal poisoning. Horseradish has anti-scrobutic proper- 

 ties. Drying and boiling dissipates the volatile oil to which it owes 

 its pungent properties. 



