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Uses :— Young nut possesses decided astringent properties, and is prescribed in bowel complaints and bad ulcers. It contains a large proportion of tannic and gallic acids, and hence its astringent property. The burnt nuts, when powdered, form an excellent dentifrice. According to Dr. J. Shortt, the powdered nut, in doses of 10 or 15 grains every three or four hours, is useful in checking diarrhœa arising from debility. It has also been found very useful in urinary disorders, and is reported to possess aphrodisiac properties. The dried nuts, when chewed, produce stimulant and exhilarant effects on the system.

" The powdered seeds have also long been held in some reputation as an anthelmintic for dogs, and Areca has now been introduced into the British Pharmacopœia on account of its supposed efficacy in promoting the expulsion of the tape-worm in the human subject. It is also reputed to be efficacious against round worm (Ascaris lumbricoides). Dr. Barclay, who appears to have been the first practitioner who called attention to the remedial value of the areca-nut in the expulsion of tape-worm, administered it, in powder, in doses of from four to six drachms, stirred up with milk." (Bentl. & Trim. Med Pl.)* Dr. Waring says : " Anthelmintic virtues have been assigned to the nut, but it can hardly have any claim to this character, as amongst the Hindus and Burmese, who use it habitually as a masticatory, intestinal worms (lumbrici) are almost universally met with."

The nut is regarded as a nervine tonic and emmenagogue, and is used as an astringent lotion for the eyes. The juice

• In a note on the subject published in the Pharmaceutical Journal for February 14, 1874, Mr. Charles Andrews wrote that in his experience, acquired during a residence in the Bombay Presidency, he had frequently known it to be used with very good effect as an anthelmintic. It is picked off the tree, and grated on an ordinary nutmeg grater. About a tea-spoonful is administered, after the patient has fasted twelve to fourteen hours, either made up into a bolus with ghee (clarified butter) or floating on milk, the latter being the favourite method. It generally acts (without any other medicine being given) in about an hour after administration, and is efficacious for round as well as tape worms. In his opinion ib is more useful, given grated than in a fine powder.