Betel nut refers to a mixture of the nut from the areca tree, part of the areca vine and lime. This combination is called betel nut quid, and it is used as a recreational drug chewed by a substantial part of the world's population in India,...
Betel nut is best known for its stimulant effects--it's chewed in many Asian countries the way tobacco is chewed in the West. It's also used to treat physical and mental health conditions from stroke to schizophrenia. But the use of betel nut is...
Betel nut is a combination of three ingredients. People roll small pieces of the nut from Areca catechu, more commonly called betel palm, in a leaf from the Piper betel vine, then add powdered slaked lime or limestone paste, and chew it. The...
Chewing the betel nut, also known as the areca nut, is a widespread and long-standing tradition across Asian cultures. Though it's not widely used in the United States, about 600 million people worldwide chew this soft nut, which is actually a...
Betel nut chewing originated in the tropical regions of southern Asia, but it has gradually spread to communities in Madagascar, eastern Africa and the West Indies. Quid, or chewable drug, made from betel nut typically contains a combination of...
Betel nut---actually a seed---is a stimulant produced by the Areca catechu tree. It is traditionally chewed in combination with betel leaf and lime in Asian countries, where it is valued for its stimulant effects. Betel nut is a symbol of...
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research states that gum disease is a threat to oral health. There are several gum disease variations ranging in severity. Ayurvedic medicine and its herbal remedies can treat gum disease if...
Many herbal remedies are touted as memory boosters, and are thought to improve your mental alertness and clarity. However, some herbs have side effects, and loss of memory is, in some cases, among them. Some herbs interact with other herbs or...
Squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC, is a type of cancer that occurs commonly in the tongue. The National Cancer Institute estimates that SCC of the tongue will be diagnosed in 7,690 men and 3,300 women in the United States in 2010. This type of...
Gutkha is another name for betel nut. Small doses may bring about euphoria and increased energy flow, while large doses can cause sedation, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Due to its stimulant activity, gutkha is used in many...
Vimax is a penis enlargement system that promises better size, stamina and "the best sex you've ever had." It's marketed by the manufacturer as a four-part system consisting of the Vimax Extender PRO penis extender, Vimax herbal supplement pills,...
Mouth cancer, more commonly referred to as oral cancer, is any type of cancer found in the mouth or lips or part of the throat at the back of the mouth called the oropharynx. It affects many important functions including chewing and swallowing,...
Calcium is an essential mineral that is found in a variety of forms in nature. The various forms of calcium share an intimate chemical relationship with each other and the physical environment. These relationships are important in understanding...
Adderall is a brand-name prescription stimulant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADD/ADHD. It is a mixture of 25 percent amphetamine and 75 percent...
Thiamine is a water soluble, B-complex vitamin also known as vitamin B-1, which is essential in carbohydrate metabolism and neural function. Deficiency of thiamine results in nerve and heart disease 'Beriberi,' termed as dry, wet or cerebral...
Calcium hydroxide exists as a colorless crystal or a white powder. It has the chemical formula Ca(OH)2--the Ca signifies calcium and the OH signifies hydroxide. Other names for calcium hydroxide include slaked lime, pickling lime or hydrated...
Obesity is a condition that affects millions of Americans. Defined by the University of Maryland Medical Center as having "a body weight that is much greater than what is considered healthy," obesity can reduce life expectancy and increase the...
The National Cancer Institute, NCI, groups cancers of the lip with other oral cancers that arise on the front two-thirds of the tongue, inside the cheeks, under the tongue, on the hard palate and in the little space behind the innermost teeth....
Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is most common in people who smoke or drink excessively, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Other risk factors include long-term irritation from dental cavities, chewing tobacco or betel...
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, was the first of the eight B vitamins to be discovered. It is essential for converting food into energy, improving the immune system and producing healthy hair, skin and eyes, in addition to maintaining the...
The food compounds known as tannins are sometimes celebrated for their positive health impact. The polyphenols have been studied for anticarcinogenic properties, as well as for their ability to fight fungal, viral and bacterial infections. But as...
Your body relies on a vitamin B complex for a wide range of bodily functions, including development and growth. Enzymes, which are proteins that determine various chemical reactions in your body, rely on the various kinds of vitamin B for proper...
Vitamin B-complex supplements may contain some or all of the B vitamins. Not all B vitamins provide the same benefits -- or the same risks. It helps to understand contraindications -- side effects and interactions with drugs, herbs or foods -- of...
The B vitamins -- B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6 and B-12 -- work together to help improve digestion, lung and nervous system function, and also provide other benefits vital to your good health. This harmony exists when you obtain the B vitamins from...
Street drugs refer to chemicals ingested for their mind- or body-altering properties rather than for medical purposes. In other words, most recreational drug use is pursuant to "getting high" and occasionally for other reasons, such as the case...
Henna became a star in the quest to hide gray hair as early as 3400 B.C., according to Minnesota State University. Paintings from Egypt's 18th Dynasty depict Queen Hunutmehet with red hair, which historians believe was the result of a natural...
The kola nut comes from the kola tree, native to Africa but now found also in Brazil and the West Indies. Kola nuts are frequently consumed in the United States in very small amounts in cola products. Kola nuts are often chewed as a snack in parts...
