BETEL 59 



and pressed under heavy weights, after which they are dried. They 

 occur in commerce either loose or tied into small packets. 



Description. Betel leaves are brownish, broadly ovate, about 

 15 cm. long and 10 cm. broad, thin and brittle ; they are acuminate 

 at the apex, unequally cordate at the base ; lateral veins well marked, 

 5 to 7 in number, curving from base to apex. Under the microscope 

 abundant, rounded oil cells filled with a brownish secretion are con- 

 spicuous. Taste warm, aromatic. 



Constituents. The drug yields from 0'2 to 1 per cent, of volatile 

 oil, the principal constituent of which is betel-phenol (about 70 per 

 cent.), a substance isomeric with eugenol. Chavicol and cadinene 

 have also been found in the oil. 



Uses. Fresh betel leaves are very extensively used in India and 

 the Malay Archipelago as a masticatory and slight stimulant, commonly 

 in conjunction with areca nut, lime, catechu, and cloves or other 

 spice ; they are said to lose much of their volatile oil (and activity) 

 by drying. 



LEAVES IN LESS FREQUENT USE 



Aconite Leaves. The leaves of Aconitum Napellus, Linne, (N.O. Ranun- 

 culacece). Leaves stalked, roundish in general outline, divided down to the 

 stalk into three main segments, which are again subdivided into nearly opposite, 

 linear, acute tapering segments ; dark green on the upper surface, glabrous ; 

 much broken in the commercial drug, which often contains the zygomorphous 

 flowers with dark blue, helmet-shaped sepals. No odour, taste numbing. 

 Contain from 0-12 to 0-96 per cent, of total alkaloid, the toxic constituent of 

 which is aconitine (compare ' Aconiti Radix ' ). 



Paraguay Tea or Mate. The leaves of Ilex paraguayensis, Hooker (N.O 

 Ilicinece), Brazil and Argentina. Ovate or oblong -lanceolate, 5 to 15 cm. long, 

 coriaceous, distantly crenate-serrate, nearly glabrous ; cells of upper epidermis 

 polygonal, with thick, striated cuticle ; stomata on under surface only, each 

 surrounded by four or five cells ; numerous prismatic and cluster crystals of 

 calcium oxalate ; taste bitterish and astringent ; usually imported in coarse 

 powder ; contains 0-2 to 2 per cent, of caffeine and 10 to 16 per cent, of tannin. 



Damiana. Leaves of Turnera diffusa, Willdenow, var. aphrodisiaca y Urban, 

 and probably other species of Turnera (N.O. Turner -acece), herbs indigenous 

 to south-western Texas and Mexico. Light green, 10 to 25 mm. long, 5 to 

 10 mm. wide ; broadly lanceolate, shortly petiolate ; margin dentate, with three to 

 six teeth on either side ; veins prominent on under surface. Under the microscope 

 long, unicellular hairs and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate ; odour and taste 

 aromatic. Contain volatile oil, 0*5 to 1-0 per cent., amorphous bitter principle 

 (damianin), resin, tannin. Used as an aphrodisiac but efficacy doubtful. 



Wintergreen Leaves. The leaves of GauUheria procumbens, Linne, (N.O. 

 Ericacece), United States. Leaves shortly stalked, elliptical or obovate, glabrous, 

 green, brownish- or reddish-green, distantly serrate, each tooth with a bristle 



