Betel Nut

Common names: Betel nut also is known as areca nut, pinlang, and pinang.

Efficacy-safety rating:

●●...Ethno or other evidence of efficacy.

Safety rating:

What is Betel Nut?

The areca tree is a feathery palm that is widely cultivated in tropical India, Bangladesh, Japan, Sri Lanka, south China, the East Indies, the Philippines, and parts of Africa. The tropical palm trees bear the fruit all year. The nut may be used fresh, dried, or cured by boiling, baking, or roasting.

What is Betel Nut used for?

The chewing of betel nut quids dates to antiquity. In the 1st century AD, Sanskrit medical writings claim “betel possesses thirteen qualities to be found in the region of heaven. It is pungent, bitter, spicy, sweet, salty and astringent. It expels wind, kills worms, removes phlegm, subdues bad odors, beautifies the mouth, induces purification and kindles passion.” Because of its CNS stimulating effects, betel nut is used in a manner similar to the western use of tobacco or caffeine. Arecoline, a parasympathetic stimulant alkaloid, is the primary active ingredient. The betel quid generally is composed of a mixture of tobacco, powdered or sliced areca nut, and slaked lime often obtained from powdered snail shells. The lime facilitates the release of the active ingredient. This mixture is wrapped in the leaf of the betel vine (Piper betel). Users may chew from 4 to 15 quids a day, with each quid being chewed for about 15 minutes. Chewing the nut stimulates salivary flow, thereby aiding digestion. Betel nut also has been used as an appetite stimulant.

The leaves have been used externally as a counter-irritant and internally as an antitussive. Antihypertensive, antidepressant, and antibacterial activity has been reported in some in animal and laboratory studies. Research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of betel nuts for hypertension. Extracts of the nut have been used for the management of glaucoma in traditional medicine. Research reveals no animal or clinical data regarding the use of betel nuts for glaucoma.

What is the dosage of Betel Nut?

Classical doses of betel nut are 2 to 8 g of the seed. A dose of 5 to 20 mg of arecoline was used in a study of appetite suppression.

Is Betel Nut safe?

Betel nut is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to any of the components in the betel nut. The use of betel nuts during pregnancy is contraindicated. Betel nut chewing has been associated with an aggravation of asthma. A dose-response relationship may exist between the use of this drug and the development of asthmatic symptoms.

Documented adverse effects, including teratogenic (produces nonheritable birth defects) and fetotoxic (toxic to the fetus) effects. Avoid use.

Betel nut was reported to antagonize the anticholinergic effects of procyclidine in 2 patients, resulting in the occurrence of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Betel may exacerbate asthma and cause periodontitis. It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to any of the components in the betel nut. The use of betel nuts during pregnancy is contraindicated.

Oral cancer and precancerous conditions are common among users, possibly because of other components of the quid. A correlation exists between the betel quid or areca nut chewing habit and oral cancer.

References

Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health

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