Kottai Paaku (or) Betel-nut-palm

Description

Sans.-Kramuka; Phalam. Eng.-Areca or betel-nut palm. Hind, Guj & Mab.-Supari. Ben.-Supari. Tel & Mal.-Kazhangu; Tam.-Kamugu; pakku; Paku-kotai or Kottai-pakku. Tel.-poka. Can.-Adike. Assam.-Tambul. Fr.-Noix. Ger.-Arekanuse.

Uses.-Kernel (seed) of th friut is ne of the constituents chewed together with lime,black catechu and the leaves of betel(piper betel) and sometimes also with such articles as turmeric and tobacco leaf. The popular belief is that decay of teeth is prevented. Sometimes it is more usefully given than in a fine powder.The chewing of tobacco has a similar effect,and in some places is credited with anthelminitic power etc.