PDR for Herbal Medicines

74/BETEL NUT PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Betel Nut

Piper betle

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The main medicinal parts are the dried

leaves; the roots and the fruit are also used.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (0.8-1.8%): chief components- chavibetol (betel

phenol), eugenol, additionally allylpyrocatechol (hydroxy-

chavicol), allylpyrocatechol-mono and -diacetate, anethole,

chavibetolacetate, chavicol, methyl eugenol, safrol

Neolignans: including crotepoxide, piperbetol, piperol,

among others

EFFECTS v

The essential oils are antimicrobial and immune-modulating.

The Betel leaf is centrally sedating.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, Betel Nut is used for

coughs, as an expectorant for stomach ailments, diphtheria

and inflammation of the middle ear.

Indian Medicine: In India, Betel Nut is used to treat asthma,
bronchitis, coughs, dyspepsia, rheumatism, leprosy, severe
thirst, alcoholism, syncopes, toothache and impotency.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Today, the drug is obsolete.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial, smooth herb

with an erect stem, which grows from 25 to 40 cm high. It

bears 3 whorled, terminal leaves under the flower, which are

broad, rhomboid and lightly curled. The rhizome is matte

brown, subcorneal, more or less compressed, 3 to 5 cm long

and 2 to 3 cm in diameter. It is often ringed with oblique

lines and with numerous wrinkled root fibres on the upper

surface.

Characteristics: The taste is sweetish then acrid and the odor

is characteristic.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the central and western

U.S.

Production: Beth Root Stock is the rhizome of Trillium

erectum, Trillium pendulum and other varieties.

Other Names: Birthroot, Indian Shamrock, Lamb's Quarters,

Wake-Robin, Indian Balm, Ground Lily, Coughroot, Jew's-

Harp Plant, Milk Ipecac, Pariswort, Rattlesnake Root,

Snakebite, Three-Leaved, Nightshade

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescences are compact, hanging,

cylindrical and 3.5 to 5 cm long spikes of yellow-green

flowers. There are 2 stamens in the male flowers. The female

stamens have an ovary, which is pubescent at the top and has

3 to 5 stigmas. The fruit is globular, fleshy and about 6 mm

in diameter. The fruit is yellow and becomes red when ripe.

The seeds are also globular.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a dioecious or

monoecious woody climber that can grow to 15 m. It has

numerous small and short adventitious roots. The stem is

thickened at the nodes, and the younger parts are glabrous.

The leaves have a 2.5 to 5 cm long petiole, are broadly

cordate, 5 to 18 cm long and half as wide. The leaves are

glabrous, light green and glossy on both surfaces with 5 to 7

radiating ribs.

Habitat: Piper betle is found in tropical southern Asia and

has been introduced to east Africa, Madagascar and the West

Indies.

Production: Betel Nut leaves are the leaves of Piper betle.

When the leaves are green, they are gathered, pressed and

dried.

Other Names: Betel

LITERATURE

Das PC, Sarkar AK, (1979) Acta Physiol Pol. 30(3):389.

Rawat AKS et al., Ind Perf 31:146-149. 1987.

Sharma ML et al., Ind Perf 26:134-137. 1982.

Further information in:

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.

Beth Root

Trillium erectum

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the rhizome and

the dried root and the leaves.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has solitary, terminal, hanging

flowers. The 3 green, persistent sepals and the 3 large, white

to red or yellow, wilting sepals are characteristic.