Areca catechu L.

Pinang or areca nut (Areca catechu) is a palm up to 15-20 meters tall of the Arecaceae family, originating from South and Southeast Asia and several Pacific islands. Its nut has been chewed for generations together with betel leaf and lime by inland communities, a tradition believed to strengthen teeth. Areca nut is now also processed into juice, coffee, and jamu, besides being traditionally used to address worm infections and broken bones.

Grows well in areas at elevations up to 1,400 m above sea level. Its growth favors lateritic soil, red loam, and requires rainfall of 750-4,500 mm/year, temperature 20-32 °C with soil pH around 4-8.

• Stem slender, 15 cm diameter though some are larger, unbranched.
• Leaves compound pinnate. Leaflet blade 85 x 5 cm long, torn and serrated tip. Leaf sheath tube-shaped 80 cm long, short leaf stalk.
• Spadix with a long, easily shed spathe, emerging below the leaves, short stalk, doubly branched.
• Fruit a berry, elongated inverted egg shape, orange-red.

• Propagated generatively (by seed), from physiologically mature fruit.
• Germination usually occurs over 6-13 weeks.

Alkaloids (arecoline, arecolidine, arecaine, guvacine, isoguvacine), tannins, phenolic compounds, gallic acid, lignin.

Addresses appetite problems, excessive menstrual bleeding, nosebleeds, tinea versicolor, scabies, constipation and stomach ache remedy in toddlers, edema, broken bone remedy, worm infections, back pain (muscle strain), strengthens teeth.

• Prepare mature areca nut seeds then wash thoroughly.
• Slice and dry for several days.
• Once dry, pack the dried slices in a closed, airtight container.

Pineung (Aceh), Pining (Batak Toba), Jambe (Java), Penang (Medan), Batang mayang (Karo), Batang pinang (Minangkabau).