Areca palm (betel). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Areca palm (betel). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Directory / Cultivated and wild plants

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Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Areca palm (betel), Areca. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Areca palm (betel)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Areca palm (Areca)

Family: Arecaceae (Arecaceae)

Origin: The areca palm is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa, but was spread throughout the world through trade and colonial expansion.

Area: Areca palm is found in tropical and subtropical zones of Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Chemical composition: Areca contains the alkaloids arecoline and arecidin, which have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Areca fruits also contain B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron and other nutrients.

Economic value: Areca fruit is widely used as a strong stimulant to eliminate fatigue, improve mood and improve concentration. The plant is also used as an antiparasitic agent. In some countries, the areca is used for ceremonial purposes such as marriages and farewell ceremonies. However, the consumption of areca in large quantities can lead to the development of various diseases, such as cavities and diseases of the oral cavity.

Legends and myths: In the culture of Asia and Oceania, the areca palm plays an important role in rituals and traditions. It is used as a stimulant and mild drug, as it contains the alkaloid areolin, which stimulates the central nervous system. In some cultures, the areca palm symbolizes a connection with ancestors and gods. In Hindu mythology, the areca palm is associated with the god Shiva. It is said that the god Shiva created the areca palm to help people learn to understand their own desires and needs. It also symbolizes strength and endurance. In some cultures, the areca palm is associated with love and marriage. In a traditional Hindu wedding, the groom offers betel and other gifts to the bride as a token of his love and devotion. In general, the areca palm symbolizes not only stimulation and a mild drug, but also a connection with ancestors, gods, strength and endurance, love and marriage.

Areca palm (betel), Areca. Description, illustrations of the plant

Areca palm (betel), Areca. Methods of application, origin of the plant, range, botanical description, cultivation

Areca palm (betel)

Areca, or betel, palm belongs to the Areca genus (Areca L) of the Palm family (Agesaceae). The genus includes more than 50 species.

The natural range of the genus is the Indo-Malayan focus, the Solomon Islands, the northern regions of Australia.

The main countries cultivating the areca palm are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, China (Hainan Province). In India, there are about 120 thousand hectares of areca palm plantations, but the fruits are consumed here in greater quantities than they are produced. India imports areca palm fruits. Walnut has been an important subject of trade between the states of Southeast Asia since ancient times.

Areca catechu L. palm fruits are widely used for making chewing gum in the Indo-Malay region. The fruits of other species, such as Areca triandra Roxb., are used for chewing gum as a substitute for areca fruit, but they are of inferior quality.

The areca fruit is the size of a chicken egg and is bright red, yellow, or orange. Under the peel is an inedible fibrous pulp, inside is a seed, or endosperm, called a nut. The hard dry endosperm of mature and immature seeds is used in betel gum as its main ingredient. The nut can be chewed alone, but is usually used as part of betel. Betel is a mild and seemingly harmless tranquilizer that has some narcotic properties when used frequently. In general, the action of betel is tonic, narcotic and antihelminthic.

As a rule, areca fruits are not yet fully ripe. Fresh seeds extracted from the fruit are cut into slices, each of which is wrapped in freshly plucked and smeared with thick milk of lime leaves of betel pepper. Ground cloves and other spices, as well as lime, are added to lime milk to give the betel a pleasant taste and aroma. Chewing gum prepared in this way can be chewed for a very long time.

Betel has not only tranquilizing, but also healing properties - it contributes to the destruction of tapeworms that parasitize in the human digestive tract, from which many residents of Southeast Asia suffer.

When chewed, the betel turns red in color, so it seems that the chewing betel is full of blood in the mouth. Betel, or pan as it is called, is consumed daily by more than 500 million people around the world, mainly in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina and Malaysia.

Areca palm is one of the most beautiful palm trees. Its height reaches 30 m, and the diameter of the trunk is 40-45 cm. It lives 60-100 years. The maximum number of roots in the soil layer is up to 60 cm deep and at a distance of 1 m from the bowl. There are no root hairs on the roots.

The palm stem is formed after 3 years of age. Annual palms have 4-5 leaves, adults - 8-12 leaves. The plant produces about 6 leaves annually. The lifespan of a leaf is about 2 years. The first flowering of a palm tree occurs at the age of 4-6 years. The fruits ripen 8 months after pollination and fertilization.

Plants are cross-pollinated. Pollen is carried by wind and insects, including bees. The inflorescence has from 250 to 500 creamy-white female flowers, but from 50 to 400 fruits are formed on the inflorescence. The fruits are usually one-seeded, spherical or ellipsoid, 3-4 cm long and 2-4 cm wide, weighing 10-20 G.

Areca palm (betel)

The optimal conditions for areca palms are tropical climates in areas from the coast to 900 m above sea level. seas. Plants are very sensitive to drought. Soil moisture and precipitation should be throughout the year (1500-5000 mm). In areas where precipitation does not exceed 1250 mm per year, irrigation is necessary. It grows well on various soils, but prefers loamy soils.

The endosperm contains a number of alkaloids (in total - 0,2-0,7%), of which the most active and of great importance arecoline - C8H13O2, its content is 0,1-0,5%. In addition to arecoline, the endosperm contains the following alkaloids arecoidin, arecolidine, guvacine, guvacolin; 11-26% tannins, 30% water, 5% protein, 40-47% carbohydrates.

Only the alkaloid arecoline has an antihelminthic effect. It is used in the form of a well-crystallized hydrobromide salt in veterinary medicine for tapeworms. In tropical countries, powdered nuts are used for the same purpose (for elephants and other animals). Tanning extracts and red paint are also prepared from them.

Propagated by seeds, which are planted in seed beds at a distance of 2,5 cm and covered with a thin layer of sand. After a month, a seedling usually appears, the seedlings are transplanted into a nursery with a distance of 30 cm between plants. To shade the beds, a banana is used, in the aisles of which ridges are arranged.

Seedlings are planted on a plantation with a feeding area of 2,5 x 2,5 m. If the areca palm is grown together with other fruit crops, then the feeding areas are the same as for a crop, for example, like a banana - 4,5 x 2-2,5, XNUMX m

Palm trunks are often used as supports in the cultivation of black pepper or betel pepper. The palm begins to bear fruit at the age of 7-8 years, full fruiting - from 10-15 years of age to 40 years.

New seedlings are planted among 20-year-old palms to replace them. This practice continues as long as the plants are growing well. From 1 to 1 thousand palm trees are placed per 3 ha, but usually 2,5 thousand.

Plantation care consists of fertilizing with manure and leaves, irrigation, cultivation of row spacing.

The fruits are harvested by trimming the inflorescence with a knife mounted on a long stick. On average, a palm tree produces from 2 to 6 inflorescences per year, each of which has 50-400 fruits. The average walnut yield from 1 ha is 840 kg, with good agricultural technology - 2 times more. The most harmful palm disease in India is fruit rot.

Authors: Baranov V.D., Ustimenko G.V.

Areca palm (betel), Areca. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

To treat coughs and colds: use areca seeds, pour boiling water over them and infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink the resulting infusion carefully. This will help relieve the symptoms of coughs and colds.
For the treatment of constipation: use areca seeds, cut them into small pieces and mix with honey. Eat the resulting mixture 1-2 teaspoons 2-3 times a day. This will help improve intestinal motility and get rid of constipation.
For headache treatment: use fresh areca leaves, cut them into small pieces and mix with some coconut oil. Apply the resulting mixture to the temples and massage them with gentle movements for 5-10 minutes. This will help reduce headaches.
To treat toothache: use fresh areca leaves, cut them into small pieces and chew them a little, then spit them out. This will help reduce toothache and improve oral health.
To treat joint pain: use fresh areca leaves, cut them into small pieces and chew them a little, then spit them out. This will help reduce joint pain and improve overall joint health.

Cosmetology:

Areca palm is not used in cosmetology.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Areca palm (betel), Areca. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Areca palm, also known as betel, Areca is a genus of palms native to the tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Its fruits are used for the production of chewable mixtures and in medicine.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing areca palm:

Cultivation:

Place the areca palm in a sunny location in fertile, well-drained soil.
Areca plants love a warm and humid climate, so they are grown in tropical regions.
Plants need regular watering, especially during periods of drought.
During severe frosts, areca plants can suffer, so it is better to choose warm regions for growing them.
Areca palm can be grown both in pots and outdoors.

Workpiece:

Harvest areca fruits when they are ripe and orange.
Carefully cut off the fruit, avoiding damage.
Remove hairs and seeds from fruits.
Areca fruits can be used to make gummies.

Storage:

Store areca fruits in a cool and dry place.
Areca fruits are best used within a few days of harvest.
If you want to keep the fruits for a longer period, you can freeze them or dry them.
To freeze areca fruits, wash them, remove the seeds, and place in freezer bags.
To dry areca fruits, cut them into pieces and place them in the sun or in an oven at a low temperature until completely dry.

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