Areca catechu L.
Areca catechu is a medium-sized palm tree, growing straight to 20 m (66 ft) tall, with a trunk 10–15 cm (4–6 in) in diameter. The leaves are 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) long, pinnate, with numerous, crowded leaflets.
- Family: Arecaceae
- Habit: Palm tree
- Habitat: Tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa
- Status : Common
Vernacular names
English-Betel tree
Malayalam-Kavunghu
Medicinal Uses
- Stimulate salivation and thus aiding in digestion.
- According to traditional Ayurvedic medicine, chewing areca nut is a good remedy for deworming and along with betel leaf it prevents halitosis.