What is betelnut?
Betelnut (the fruit of Areca catechu Linn) is a wiry coconut palm grown in many parts of asia as it requires moist soil. It is mainly grown in India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Micronesia. Betelnut is a refreshing, mild stimulant which is chewed casually like gum, inducing a similar effect to an espresso coffee. According to scientific study, betelnut is also a common medicine. Besides tonifying the stomach, it is also a good medicine for protecting the human teeth. Many old Dai folks have very strong teeth in Xishuangbanna; thats because they often chew betelnuts. Besides, betelnut can also banish insects, cure tympanites and edema, etc. Tradition! Betel chewing is a tradition which dates back thousands of years. The bitter poultice is an acquired taste, and although it’s not clear why the people of the Pacific originally began to chew betelnut, the habit has been passed down through the generations and now provides a cultural link to their past. Chewing
