Areca catechu

botanical name: Areca catechu
eng. name: Betel nut
additional names: Areca nut, pinang, siri, supari (Hindu), ping lang (Chinese)
family: Palmaceae (Palm family
location/habitat: India, Malaysia, Polynesia, South Pacific Islands
time of year:
description:
chemistry
effects:
Arecoline, a volatile oil, released from the nt by saliva and lime (calcium oxide). Betel leaf contains chavicol, allylpyrocatechol, chavibetol, cadinene. Arecoline is n the same alkaloids group as muscarine, found in Fly Agaric.
CNS stimulant, makes a journey more vivid because it affects one´s perception of time.
preparation/
use:
Mix 1 betel nut with 1/2 g of burnt lime (hydrated calcium oxide) and place in the side of the mouth.
history: Used in India like cigarettes and coffee in Europe.
additional information: legal drugs: Areca Cathechu - BETELNUß
Liliopsida - Arecidae (u.a. Betelpalme, bzw. Sagopalme) (german)
image:

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Last modified: Mon Nov 6 05:18:30 CET 2000