Numerous
references to areca nut, betel leaf and Tambula (aka, Betel quid) are found in several ancient Sanskrit
texts such as Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Astanga Hridayam, Bhavaprakasa,
Harivamsa, Varahapurana, Panchatantra and Jataka tales. Several terms including
puga, pugi, ghonta, guvaka, kramuka, sramsi, cikkana, khapura are used to
denote areca nut in those treatises. These classical texts consider areca nut as
astringent and slightly sweet (kasaya), cold in potency (hima), helps taste
(rucya), Removes moisture and dirt of the mouth (asyakleda malapaha) and bad
taste (vaktravairsaya), creates dryness (ruksa), heavy for digestion (guru),
stimulates digestion (dipana), it is purgative (bhedi) and intoxicant (mohana).
Choorna of areca nut has been prescribed with several other medicinal
ingredients for treating liver ailments as per Charakasamhita, which was
believed to be written during 100 BCE to 200 CE. Mātrāśitīya (the recommended
daily regimens for well-being and hygiene), part of Charakasamhita recommends
the following,
“One desiring
clarity, taste and good smell should keep in his mouth the fruit of nutmeg,
musk seed, areca nut, tiled pepper, cardamom and clove, fresh betel leaf and
exudate of camphor”.
Several
beneficial attributes of betel leaf have been described in Susrutasamhita.
Vagbhata’s Astangasangraha describes the preparation of five drug groups and
preparations (Aragvadhadi gana, Syamadi gana, Virecana gana, Lodhrasava and
Bijakasara arista) for treating various ailments including leprosy, vomiting,
skin diseases, itching, diabetes, Dysuria, poisoning, Anorexia, abdominal
tumours, obesity, anaemia, worms, Dropsy, Haemorrhoids, Jaundice, heart
disease, Gout etc. These clearly demonstrates that areca nut and betel leaf
were the most important ingredients for making various formulations for
treating numerous ailments and diseases in Ancient India.
Its mention
in Vatsayana’s Kamasutra and Kalidasa’s Raghuvamsha itself reflects the
antiquity and popularity of the practice of chewing Tambula. As per Vatsayana’s
Kamasutra, a civilized man (nāgaraka) cleans his teeth and perfumes himself in
the morning, uses mouthwash, and chew some Tambula to make himself presentable.
The Tambula chewing is considered as an integral part of an elaborate sexual
act as per the Kamasutra. In the Kāmasūtra, it is suggested that a lover should
use Tambula both as a precursor to sexual relations, at various points during
the sexual act, and as a post-coital activity marking a ritualistic finish and
freshening of the breath.
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