Abstract
Areca catechu belongs to the family Palmae and is commonly known by different names such as chikni supari, areca nut and betel nut. The fruit of this plant is called the areca nut, which carries significant medicinal properties. This plant is also mentioned in various ancient Sanskrit scriptures. The plant is mainly used for chewing and religious purposes of the Hindus of India. India is the largest consumer and producer of areca nut globally, which produces about 52% of the world production. Medicinally, the plant is used to treat leucoderma, diarrhea, anaemia, obesity, leprosy etc. In Ayurveda, the plant is astringent, diuretic, digestion-promoting, stimulant, wound healing and laxative agent. The plant is associated with various therapeutic and pharmacological potentials, including wound healing, antidepressant, antihelmintic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antiallergic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. However, this plant is considered as carcinogenic as it can cause mouth cancer. In this review article, attempts have been made to summarize the phytochemistry, folk uses and ayurvedic uses along with its pharmacological activities.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
