Abstract:
Betel nut palm (Areca catechu Linn.) is known by most as anti-social substance owing to the
deleterious effects caused by it’s overuse. However, no plant on earth is devoid of medicinal
qualities as is rightly said by the Indian scholar Chanakya. Making an attempt to prove this fact
and therein discover its therapeutic properties this study was conducted beginning with a
phytochemical analysis and a meta analysis on the various studies conducted till date on Areca.
Sample of Areca catechu was authenticated and subjected to phytochemical analysis and HPTLC
fingerprinting to study its phytochemistry. Later a thorough analysis was done on the studies
available on Areca catechu. Based on this meta-analysis it is clear that Areca has a set of
attributes on the myriad tissue systems of the human body. The right use of the plant proves it an
asset for the health of humankind and its dose and duration dependant toxic effects render it a
potential harm to its addicts ranging from being a bronchoconstrictor to a potent carcinogen.
