N. 0. PALMEJE. 1311 



Uses :— Young nut possesses decided astringent properties, 

 and is prescribed in bowel complaints and bad ulcers. It contains 

 a large proportion of tannic and gallic acids, and hence its 

 astringent property. The burnt nuts, when powdered, form an 

 excellent dentifrice. According to Dr. J. Shortt, the pow- 

 dered nut, in doses of 10 or 15 grains every three or four hours, 

 is useful in checking diarrhoea arising from debility. It has 

 also been found very useful in urinary disorders, and is re- 

 ported to possess aphrodisiac properties. The dried nuts, 

 when chewed, produce stimulant and exhilarant effects on the 

 system. 



" The powdered seeds have also long been held in some 

 reputation as an anthelmintic for dogs, and Areca has now been 

 introduced into the British Pharmacopoeia on account of its 

 supposed efficacy in promoting the expulsion of the tape-worm 

 in the human subject. It is also reputed to be efficacious against 

 round worm (Ascaris lumbricoides). Dr. Barclay, who appears 

 to have been the first practitioner who called attention to the 

 remedial value of the areca-nut in the expulsion of tape-worm, 

 administered it, in powder, in doses of from four to six drachms, 

 stirred up with milk." (Bentl. & Trim. Med PL)* Dr. Waring 

 says : " Anthelmintic virtues have been assigned to the nut, 

 but it can hardly have any claim to this character, as amongst 

 the Hindus and Burmese, who use it habitually as a mastica- 

 tory, intestinal worms (Jumbrici) are almost universally met 

 with." 



The nut is regarded as a nervine tonic and emmenagogue, 

 and is used as an astringent lotion for the eyes. The juice 



* In a note on the subject published in the Pharmaceutical Journal for 

 February 14, 1874, Mr. Charles Andrews wrote that in his experience, acquired 

 during a residence in the Bombay Presidency, he had frequently known it to 

 be used with very good effect as an anthelmintic. It is picked off the tree, and 

 grated on an ordinary nutmeg grater. About a tea-spoonful is administered, 

 after the patient has fasted twelve to fourteen hours, either made up into a 

 bolus with ghee (clarified butter) or floating on milk, the latter being the 

 favourite method. It generally acts (without any other medicine being given) 

 in about an hour after administration, and is efficacious for round as well as 

 tape worms. In his opinion ib is more useful, given grated than in a fine 

 powder. 



