Edible Parts: Fruit  Leaves  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Edible portion: Nut, Cabbage, Palm heart, Male flower. Seed - raw. The seed has mild narcotic properties, it is widely used in some areas of the tropics as a masticatory, being mixed with the leaves of a pepper plant (Piper betle), a gum and, often, lime[ 238 , 297 ]. Betel seeds contain tannins and alkaloids - these stimulate saliva flow, accelerate heart and perspiration rates, suppress hunger and offer positive protection against intestinal worms[ 238 ]. The ovoid fruit is 4 - 5cm long and produced in large clusters of 200 - 300[ 335 ]. Young leaves, inflorescences and the sweet inner part of the shoots are cooked and eaten as vegetables[ 46 , 301 ]. The skin of the fruit is edible[ 301 ]. The nut contains 8-12% fat that has characteristics comparable with hydrogenated coconut oil. It can be made edible by refining it with an alkali[ 303 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Diuretic  Dysentery  Laxative  Leprosy  Malaria  Purgative  Stimulant


Betel palm is an astringent, stimulant herb that relieves hunger, abdominal discomfort and weariness. It kills intestinal parasites and other pathogens, and also has diuretic and laxative effects[ 238 ]. It is used mainly in veterinary medicine to expel tapeworms[ 238 ]. The seed is used against anaemia, fits, leucoderma, leprosy, obesity and worms[ 303 ]. It is also used in the treatment of dysentery and malaria[ 238 ]. In combination with other ingredients, it is also a purgative and an ointment for nasal ulcers[ 303 ]. Kernels of green and mature fruits are chewed as an astringent and stimulant, often with the leaves or fruit of betel pepper (Piper betle) and slaked lime[ 303 , 320 ]. The rind is also used as a laxative in cases of constipation with flatulence and bloating, as well as a diuretic in treating oedema[ 238 ]. The fruits are harvested when fully ripe, and can be dried for later use[ 238 ]. The areca nut decoction as well as arecoline and its salts have been found to be effective on various parasitic helminth infections such as those caused by Taenia spp[ 303 ].

Adhesive  Containers  Dye  Nails  Paper  Plant support  Tannin  Thatching  Wood

Other uses rating: High (4/5). Agroforestry Uses: Experimental evidence indicates that intercropping with areca nut is not harmful to the main crop[ 303 ]. When intercropped with black pepper, it acts as a live standard for training the pepper plants. Banana, cardamom, cowpea, paddy, pineapple, sorghum, vegetables and yams are also grown by farmers as intercrops with areca nut[ 303 ]. Other Uses The leaves are used for thatching[ 297 ]. In some parts of Sri Lanka the chief vessels used for carrying water are made from the leaves of this graceful palm, which, being of leather-like consistency, are easily converted into strong and durable water buckets[ 454 ]. The leaf sheath is made into cups, plates, and bags for holding plantains, sweetmeats, and fish[ 454 ]. The flower sheath is made into skullcaps, small umbrellas, and dishes[ 454 ]. The husk fibres are predominantly composed of cellulose with varying proportions of hemi-cellulose, lignin, pectin and protopectin. Based on various tests, it has been proposed that the husk fibre could be used in making such items as thick boards, fluffy cushions and non-woven fabrics. Trial experiments have shown that satisfactory yield and quality of brown wrapping paper could be prepared from blends of areca nut and bamboo or banana pseudostem pulp[ 303 ]. Areca nut husk can be a good source of furfural. Possibilities of producing activated carbon from the husks have been investigated, and yields of 25-28% have been recorded[ 303 ]. The plant is a good source of tannins[ 303 ]. These are used for dyeing clothes, as adhesives in plywood manufacture etc[ 303 ]. The nut contains 8-12% fat that has characteristics comparable with hydrogenated coconut oil. It contains both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids[ 303 ]. The outside portion of betel palm stem forms a useful building material in the villages, and it is widely used throughout southeast Asia for a variety of construction purposes. The timber can also be used in making a variety of utility articles such as rulers, shelves and waste paper baskets[ 303 ]. Nails made from areca stem are widely used in the furniture industry[ 303 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Food Forest