Puga — Areca Nut

Ayurvedic herb Puga (Areca catechu) — Areca Nut. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Kashaya, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read

Areca nut (Betel nut) is a stimulant and astringent, but is used cautiously in Ayurveda.

ⓘ Information

Property	Value	Description
Rasa	Kashaya	Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
Guna	Guru, Ruksha	Guru (Heavy) — increases bulk, grounding; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
Virya	Sheeta	Sheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
Vipaka	Katu	Katu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
Prabhava	Deepana, Kledanashaka	Deepana — kindles digestive fire without digesting ama; Kledanashaka

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Puga is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Kramuka, Guvaka, Khapura, Chikkana

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Puga are: phala.

Main Indications

Puga is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Aruchi, Kleda, Mukharoga, Yonidosha, Krimi.

Dosha Effects

Puga pacifies Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta, Vata when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Puga is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kaṣ¡ya

Guna (Quality)Rūkṣa, Guru

Virya (Potency)śita

Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu 161

Karma (Action)(Prabh¡va: Mohakrt), Dipana, Kaphapittajit, Kledan¡¿ana, Malabhed i, Mukha¿odhana, Vik¡si

Dose1-2 g of the drug in powder form.

Therapeutic Uses: Mukhavik¡ra, Aruci, Yoni¿aithilya, śvetapradara

Important Formulations: Pūgakhaḍta

Botanical Name: Areca catechu Linn. (Palmae)

Part Used: Sd.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part Used	Therapeutic Use	Identifiers	References
bark	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:9788172362140
bark	Flatulence	MESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08	ISBN:9788172362140
fruit	Anorexia	MESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140, ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Anti-bacterial agents	MESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Antifungal agents	MESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Anti-infective agents	MESH:D000890,UMLS:C0003204, ICD-11:XM4TV0	ISBN:9788172360481
fruit	Antineoplastic agents	MESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Aphrodisiacs	MESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140, ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Asthenia	MESH:D001247,UMLS:C0004093, ICD-11:MG22	ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140
fruit	Cardiovascular system	MESH:D002319,UMLS:C0007226, ICD-11:XA4PM9	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Contraceptive agents	MESH:D003270,UMLS:C0009871	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
fruit	Dentifrices	MESH:D003802,UMLS:C0011427, ICD-11:DA08.11	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9780387706375
fruit	Digestive system diseases	MESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2Z	ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Halitosis	MESH:D006209,UMLS:C0018520, ICD-11:MD94	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Helminthiasis	MESH:D006373,UMLS:C0018889, ICD-11:1F90.Z	ISBN:9788171360536
fruit	Hemagglutination	MESH:D006384,UMLS:C0018903	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Hypoglycemic agents	MESH:D007004,UMLS:C0020616	ISBN:9788172362089
fruit	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:9788172362140, ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Menstruation-inducing agents	MESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140, ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Neoplasms	MESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2Z	ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Nervous system diseases	MESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7Z	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Oral ulcer	MESH:D019226,UMLS:C0149745, ICD-11:DA01.15	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Periodontal diseases	MESH:D010510,UMLS:C0031090, DOID:3388, ICD-11:DA0C	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:9788172362140
fruit	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Snake bites	MESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379	ISBN:9788172361266
fruit	Spasm	MESH:D013035,UMLS:C0037763, ICD-11:MB47.3	ISBN:9788172360481
fruit	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Urination disorders	MESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0Y	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024
fruit	Urologic diseases	MESH:D014570,UMLS:C0042075	ISBN:9780387706375
fruit	Vasodilator agents	MESH:D014665,UMLS:C0042402	ISBN:9770972795006
fruit	Wound healing	MESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172362089
leaf	Bronchial diseases	MESH:D001982,UMLS:C0006261, DOID:1176, ICD-11:CB40.Y	ISBN:9788172362140
leaf	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:9788172362140
leaf	Hypoglycemic agents	MESH:D007004,UMLS:C0020616	ISBN:9770972795006
leaf	Low back pain	MESH:D017116,UMLS:C0024031, ICD-11:ME84.2	ISBN:9788173717024
leaf	Parasympatholytics	MESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77	ISBN:9770972795006
leaf	Spasm	MESH:D013035,UMLS:C0037763, ICD-11:MB47.3	ISBN:9788172360481
root	Liver diseases	MESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0Z	ISBN:9788172362140
root	Stomatitis	MESH:D013280,UMLS:C0038362, DOID:9637, ICD-11:DA01	ISBN:9788172362140, ISBN:9788173717024
seed	Anorexia	MESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7	ISBN:9770972795006
seed	Anti-bacterial agents	MESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0	ISBN:9788172362089
seed	Anti-HIV agents	MESH:D019380,UMLS:C0376565	ISBN:9788172362089
seed	Antineoplastic agents	MESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392	ISBN:9788172362089
seed	Asthenia	MESH:D001247,UMLS:C0004093, ICD-11:MG22	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Cardiotonic agents	MESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Dental caries	MESH:D003731,UMLS:C0011334, DOID:216, ICD-11:DA08.0	ISBN:9788172362089
seed	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Eye infections	MESH:D015817,UMLS:C0015403, ICD-11:9C20.2	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Gingivitis	MESH:D005891,UMLS:C0017574, DOID:3087, ICD-11:DA0B.Y	ISBN:9788172362089
seed	Leukorrhea	MESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3A	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
seed	Mouth diseases	MESH:D009059,UMLS:C0026636, DOID:403	ISBN:9770972795006
seed	Periodontal diseases	MESH:D010510,UMLS:C0031090, DOID:3388, ICD-11:DA0C	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Tooth diseases	MESH:D014076,UMLS:C0040435, DOID:1091, ICD-11:DA07.Z	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Urination disorders	MESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0Y	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Vaginal diseases	MESH:D014623,UMLS:C0042251, DOID:121, ICD-11:GA1Y	ISBN:9770972795006
shoot	Abortifacient agents	MESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1	ISBN:9788172362140
	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172362140
	Asthma	MESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23	ISBN:9780387706375
	Central nervous system depressants	MESH:D002492,UMLS:C0007681, ICD-11:XM6QP4	ISBN:9788172360481
	Cholera	MESH:D002771,UMLS:C0008354, DOID:1498, ICD-11:1A00	ISBN:9788172360481
	Cholinergic antagonists	MESH:D018680,UMLS:C0242897	ISBN:9788172360481
	Dentifrices	MESH:D003802,UMLS:C0011427, ICD-11:DA08.11	ISBN:9788172362140
	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9788172362140
	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	ISBN:9788172360481
	Fractures, bone	MESH:D050723,UMLS:C0016658, ICD-11:ND56.2	ISBN:9788172360481
	Hypnotics and sedatives	MESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
	Low back pain	MESH:D017116,UMLS:C0024031, ICD-11:ME84.2	ISBN:9788172362140
	Mydriatics	MESH:D009184,UMLS:C0026964	ISBN:9788172360481
	Sexually transmitted diseases	MESH:D012749,UMLS:C0036916, ICD-11:1A9Z	ISBN:9788172360481
	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788172362140
	Skin diseases, infectious	MESH:D012874,UMLS:C0037278	ISBN:9788172360481
	Smallpox	MESH:D012899,UMLS:C0037354, DOID:8736, ICD-11:1E70	ISBN:9788172360481
	Syphilis	MESH:D013587,UMLS:C0039128, DOID:4166, ICD-11:1A6Z	ISBN:9788172360481
	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:9788172362140
	Urination disorders	MESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0Y	ISBN:9788172362140
	Diaphoretic	UMLS:C1707737	ISBN:9788172360481