Betel Nut (Supari) use and its health benefits

Betel Nut (Supari)

Betel nut tree is cultivated in the regions of India,Japan, China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines, Africa and East Indies. It grows up to 1.5 meters, and produces a fruit called betel nut. This nut usually use in green used and also dried. The taste of the betel nut is warm and acidic, and mixes well with all spices . Quid is the package that is used for eating the betel nut. Men, women and children regularly consume the quid to enjoy its health benefits.

Betel nut prevents oral cavities

Cavity or holes are formed on the tooth’s outer cover . When people consume more sugar in the night chances of getting cavities. Use of betel nut prevents cavities and help in reducing the tooth ache.

Prevents stained teeth

So many people suffer from yellowing of the mouth.Due to drink excessive coffee, tea .Chewing of betel nut prevent the staining or yellowing of teeth and after a few minutes the mouth should be rinsed. 

Prevents gum infection

If any one  boil the betel nut in a cup of water, and use this water to rinse the mouth. Doing so, would reduce the gum disease or gum infections jut swelling and pain.

Make a paste with fry powdered nut in ghee and add the powdered Katha, ajwain and sendha namak in equal quantity with it with a little water. Apply this paste on the gums, and keep it for a few minutes.This way we can help from sweeling and pain.

Maintains women’s health

Frequently women suffers from a vaginal discharge, called Leucorrhea. Due to Imbalance of estrogen hormone in the body. Betel nut improves the hormonal imbalance. Consuming betel nuts before menstrual cycle starts is found to reduce vaginal cramps, and abdominal and vaginal pain.

Powers up concentration levels

By consuming betel nut, drivers traveling in the night can remain alert and prevent accidents.For mental alertness or reduce stress consume a mild dose betel nut can improve the focus because research indicates betel nut can improve concentration levels and improve stimulation.

Improves muscle strength and maintain premature ejaculation

People who have suffered a heart stroke may have poor muscle strength that can lead to slurred speech. Regular use of betel nut improve muscle strength .This is an useful item in treating premature ejaculation, help to improve infertility in men. The reason is that men may climax faster than expected and this indicates that sperms fail to swim to the egg and form fetus. 

Heals anemia and blood sugar

Iron deficiency in the body leads to a condition called anemia. Also, poor synthesis of food in the blood stream leads to low blood sugar levels. With regular consumption of betel nut, both these conditions can be significantly improved.

Betel Nut/ Supari: Plant description, Planting & caring, Uses

                                                      

                                                     Betel Nut/ Supari

This is the palm produces to popular betel-nut or supari, which is an essential ingradient of paan. It is a medium-sized tree growing to 20 m tall, with a trunk 20-30 cm in diameter. The leaves are 1.5-2 m long, pinnate, with numerous, crowded leaflets. It is grown for its economically important seed crop, the Betel nut. It is commercially available in dried, cured, and fresh forms. When the husk of the fresh fruit is green, the nut inside is soft enough to be cut with a typical knife. In the ripe fruit, the husk becomes yellow or orange, and as it dries, the fruit inside hardens to a wood-like consistency. At that stage, the areca nut can only be sliced using a special scissors-like cutter.


Common name : Betel Nut

Scientific name : Areca catechu

Family: Arecaceae

Fruit colour : Green, yellow or orange

Height : 20 m

Temperature : 14-36 deg. c

Soil : moist and well drained

Light: Full sun/half sun

Water: twice/thrice a week


Planting & Caring

It can be propagated by both seeding and cutting. if propagate it from cuttings, take about 18 cm long stem. Make 45 degrees cut using a sharp knife just below the leaf node. Remove all leaves from the cutting except top 2 leaves. Put the cutting in a glass of fresh water and place it on a spot like a windowsill in indirect sunlight. Keep changing the water every 2 days. Once several roots appear, transplant it into a deep container or in the ground.

It prefers slightly acidic, sandy-loamy and lightly damp soil but not waterlogged. Use the well-drained potting mix to plant it in a way that water will drain out from it quickly. Pick a less windy spot with partial shade for planting. Choose a medium sized deep planter, for growing in the container.


Uses

• The seed contains alkaloids such as arecaidine and arecoline, which, when chewed, are intoxicating and slightly addictive. 
• In Asian countries, betel nut is used in a manner similar to the western use of tobacco or caffeine. 
• In the metabolic system as a digestive and carminative Anti-diabetic. 
• Used as aphrodisiac. 
• Improves eyesight. 
• Helps in relieving asthma.