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. Sbortt, 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 PI.)® 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 (lumbrici) are almost universally met 
with.” 
The nut is regarded as a nervine tonic and emmenagogue, 
and is used as an a string ent lotion for the eyes. The juice 
* In a note on the subject published in the Pharmaceutical Journal for 
Jfebruary 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 it is more useful, given grated than in a fine 
powder. 
