1312 
INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
of the young leaves, mixed with oil, is said to be used externally 
in lumbago. The dry expanded petioles may be used as ready- 
made splints. 
“ Is useful in checking the pyrosis of pregnancy. ‘ Control 
experiments ’ made with tincture of catechu showed the superi- 
ority of the nut, and would seem to demonstrate that this is 
not merely due to astringent action ; possibly its property as a 
nervine stimulant enhances its utility.” (Surgeon G. King, 
Madras.) “ Used as an astringent for bleeding gums ; women 
employ it both internally and locally for stopping watery dis- 
charges from the vagina.” (Asst. Surg. Jaswant Rai, MooltaD, in 
Watt’s Die.).* 
“ The nut ha.s been investigated by Her Jahns, who reports 
that he has separated from it three alkaloids, of which arecoline 
is the most important.” — Ph. J., Feb. 2, 1889. p. 605. 
“ Without doubt, arecoline is the physiologically active con- 
stituent of the areca-nut, and the one on which its action against 
tape-worm is dependent. In the opinion of Dr. Maume, the 
physiological experiments indicate that the areca-nut may prove 
a valuable article, since there can be no doubt that arecoline 
hydro-bromide is capable of being utilised therapeutically on 
account of its effect on the peristaltic action of the bowels,, and 
* Mr. John R. Jackson, A. L. S„ Curator of the Museums, Kew, wrote in 
the Pharmaceutical Journal for Feby 28, 1874 
In some parts of China the nuts, bruised and powdered, are mixed with 
the green food given to horses, and they are thus considered a preventive 
against diarrhoea. In the north of China, small pieces of the nut are boiled 
and the decootion is taken as a domestic remedy in various visceral affections. 
Though the use of the betel as a masticatory turns the teeth black, it 
is said to preserve them from decay in a remarkable manner, and this may 
be the reason why some English chemists have introduced the pulverized 
uharcoal into this country as a tooth powder. 
In Borneo the flowers, which are fragrant, are mixed with medicines and 
used as charms for the cure of many diseases. In some parts of India, tho 
juice of the young tender leaves mixed with oil is applied as an embrocation 
in cases of lumbago, and a decoction of the root is a reputed cure for sore 
lips, so that, whatever may prove to be the value of the areca-nut as an 
anthelmintic in this country, it is certain that the tree is much esteemed 
for its numerous uses in the East. 
