One
of the earliest references describing the good qualities of Tambula is found in
charter 77 of the Brhatsamhita of Varāhamihira believed to be written in 500 CE
in Sanskrit. It says, “Tambula stimulates love, sets off the physical charm,
creates popularity, gives good smell to the mouth, strengthens the body and
dispels diseases arising from the phlegm”.
Areca
nut has been mentioned in several ancient treatises such as Charaka Samhita,
Susruta Samhita, Astanga Hridayam, Bhavaprakasa, Harivamsa, and Varahapurana. 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.
As per Vatsayana’s Kamasutra, a noble person (nāgaraka) cleans his/her teeth and perfumes himself/herself in the morning, uses
mouthwash, and chew some Tambula (Mixture of areca nut with slacked lime
smeared betel leaf) to make himself / herself 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.
Jyotirnibandha
written by Shivraj in AD 1524, prescribes that three parts nut, two parts betel
leaf, one-part catechu and lime make an ideal Tambula. Apparently, the
composition prescribed is based on weight. As per this treatise, the Tambula
prepared as per this formula, shall produce pungency, bitterness, heat,
sweetness, saltiness, power to remove Vata, possess antiseptic character,
remove phlegm, excite passion, beautify the mouth, purify the mouth, and remove
all bad odour from the mouth. The work also indicates that different numbers of
areca nuts confer differing outcomes: one produces happiness; two bears fruit;
three brings loss; four causes pain of misery; five brings long life; six
causes death.
References
1. P. K. Gode (1950). Studies in the history of tāmbūla —
history of the verse about the thirteen qualities of tāmbūla — between A.D 1200
and 1900, Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Vol. 31, No. ¼,
pp. 138-142.
2. Andrea Gutierrez (2015). Modes of betel consumption in
early India, Religion and Food, Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis, Vol 26,
pp. 114–34
3. Ahuja & Ahuja (2011). Betel Leaf and Betel Nut in
lndia: History and Uses, Asian Agri-History Vol. 15, No. l, pp. 13-35.
4. Kosambi D.D (1964). The Culture and Civilisation of
Ancient India in Historical Outline. First edition. Taylor & Francis.
Landon.
