Supari as home remedy in Chhattisgarh, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

The natives of Chhattisgarh have in depth traditional medicinal knowledge about Supari (Betel-nut, Areca catechu). They use it both internally and externally as home remedy. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh. I have collected a lot of information on this aspect. I am giving the details in present article. Supari is frequently use in treatment of diarrhea. It is cut into small pieces and boiled in water. In general they take a glassful of water and when half quantity (of initial quantity) remains, boiling is stopped and decoction is taken internally after filteration. This decoction is taken twice a day. Every time it is prepared fresh for use. According to the natives it is good for digestive system. Its use stop the diarrhoea effectively. The natives of Narharpur region use Supari in treatment of boils. They crush the Supari into powder and mix equal quantity of Imli (Tamarind) seeds and with the help of water prepare an aqueous paste. This paste is applied externally on boils in order to suppress it without suppuration. The traditional healers of this region are also aware of this combination. They add more herbs in combination to make it more useful. The natives are not aware of these herbs. Initially the natives try to manage this problem through home remedy and in case of complications, they approach to the healers. The natives of Chhattisgarh Plains, use the powdered Supari with lukewarm water to flush out the intestinal worms. It is taken internally. The use is continued till complete cure. Many time treatment continues to several months. The traditional healers are not in favour of its regular use. According to them, one month is sufficient to experience the effect of powdered Supari and if problem still persist, one must change the remedy. The natives of Mahasamund region use Supari in treatment of Migraine. During intense pain, Supari is rubbed on stone with the help of water and aqueous paste is prepared. This paste is applied externally on painful parts. This use is popular among the natives. Its popularity among the natives clearly indicates its effectiveness. The natives of Bagbahera region use this aqueous paste externally in treatment of skin troubles. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region informed that this paste is useful in treatment of wounds due to Syphilis (Garmi). Areca catechu is not under commercial cultivation in Chhattisgarh. It is popularity used with Paan (Piper betle). This is the reason Supari is available in every small village. The suppliers fulfill their requirement from neighboring states. The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh also have rich traditional knowledge about its medicinal uses and properties. I will give the details in coming articles. I am giving the details regarding its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically Areca catechu is a prickly tree with a cylindrical stem; Bark dark greyeish- brown, exfoliating in long and narrow strips; Leaves pinnate, with a pair of recurved prickles at the base of rachis; Flowers pale yellow, in cylindrical spikes; Fruits globrous, flat, oblong pod, readily dehisces. According to Ayurveda, unripe seed poisonous and harmful to the eyesight, Seed cooling, indigestible, laxative, improves appetite and taste, removes foul breath, Gum pungent, cooling and causes biliousness. According to Unani system of medicine, but is astringent, digestive, diuretic, cardio-tonic, emmenagogue and used in treatment of eye-inflammations, giddiness, gleet etc. Through the on-going ethnobotanical surveys, I am trying to gather more information on this herb. I will give the details in future articles.

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