Areca nut, also known as betel nut, is the seed of the areca palm (Areca catechu) and is widely consumed in many parts of Asia and the South Pacific. It is typically chewed with betel leaf and is a mild stimulant with cultural and religious significance. Its history goes back to Rigveda more than 4000 years. It is considered by Ayurveda as one among panchasugandhika. In Ayurvedic Medicine Areca Nut is used as a diuretic, digestive, anthelmintic, astringent, and cardio tonic. The nuts are used in Traditional Cinese Medicine to treat diarrhoea, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and other intestinal troubles. The leaves of the plant are consumed in Cambodia as a tea to treat lumbago and bronchitis. They use the root for liver disease and the fruit along with opium for the treatment of intestinal troubles. It is excellent for maintaining a healthy digestive tract especially in disease-ridden areas.

Historical perspective: References to the betel nut appear in ancient Greek, Sanskrit, and Chinese literature as early as the 1st century BC. There are innumerable references to arecanut palm, arecanut and its various uses in ancient Sanskrit. The most important reference is ‘Anjana Charitra’ (Sisy Mayana 1300 BC), where the reference has been made to groups of arecanut palms full of inflorescence and branches presenting an exquisite appearance. The practice of chewing betel leaves after meals had become common (75 AD to 300 AD) as mentioned in Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas. During c. 300 to 750 AD, after drinking some liquid following meals, betel leaves with some fragrant spices were chewed as it was believed to help in digestion, remove the phlegm, and make the mouth fragrant. It medicinal properties were known to the famous Indian scholar Vagbhatta (500 AD). Its use has also been documented by ancient historians in Ceylon and Persia around 600 AD and parts of the Arab world in the 8th and 9th centuries. It is believed that the nut was carried to Europe by Marco Polo around 1300 AD and became an important commodity in the western Pacific. The word ‘Areca’ is derived from the Malay word adakka (areca nut) or from adakeya, the Indian equivalent Areca nut consumption is as old as the epic and Vedic periods of India.

To quote (CREDITS) – That prove the “Dia Shaman” – is the best bet food supplement for “Diabetic Patients”

•  Dr . G.N. Hegde “the areca nut is limbibed in the medical, religious, cultural and social systems of Indian life and heritage” 
•  British Doctor Aman (1969), mentioned its rich medicinal properties and some of them are treatment for Dysentry, Diarrhea, Urinary stones, Jaundice and gastric ulcer 
•  Central plantation Research Institute (1982),confirmed anthelmitic parasympathetic and cardiovascular activities, electrolyte excretion, ocular effects and other beneficial effects on central nervous system 
•  The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, highlighted the main chemical ingredients Having antibacterial and anti fungal action 
• The scientists from China proved the anthelmintic (Worm elimination)quality of arecanut among humans as well as animals. 
• Madan Torge(1999),of NTR University of Health Sciences, established the fact that Arecanut reduces sugar in blood and recommended for the diabetic patients. 
• Indian Materia Medica, the oldest Indian medical encyclopaedia mentioned areca nut as useful and efficient tooth powder to check pyrosis during pregnancy 
• The book “Traditional Family Medicine” specially explains the medicinal properties of Arecanut in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (causing boils) and Trichophyton rebrum (causing skin infections) 
•  T. M. A. Pai Pharmaceutical Research Centre (2000) proved that areca nut along with til oil, jiggery and lime has got wound healing property 
•  Dr. MS Vignesha, Co-Principal Social Scientist, Arecanut Research Centre, college of Agriculture, Shimoga (UAS, Bangalore), made Socio Anthropological Studies related to the indigenous technology knowledge of tribal and rural inhabitants of Malnad Region (Western Ghat) and found the traditional medicinal preparation of Areca Mixture combined with betel wines, lime and herbs to manage diabetics, to reduce fat, cough and mouth ulcer 
•  The story of areca nut chewing dates back to antiquity. Reference to areca nut us found in Rigveda Mandala (10) Suktha (145) more than 4000 years ago. 
•  Dhanvantari Nighantu , the ancient text on Ayurvedic medicine mentions panchasugandhikam, the five natural aromatics connected with betel chewing. The include piper chaba, puga, clove, nutmeg, camphor in the rhyme mentioned below:

‘’kankulakam puga palam lavanga kusumanija Jathi palani karpura nethath pancha sugandhikam’’ Having good Nutritive value: Areca nut is rich in several essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and vitamins. This is supported by the research work carried out by the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore