Areca nut or Areca catechu is a plant that has many benefits. Areca nut can grow to a height of 15-20 meters and a diameter of 15 cm.
Areca seeds or the fruit of the areca palm tree are reddish brown and contain alkaloids and proanthocyanidins which are included in the flavonoid group. This means that areca nut contains antibacterial and antiviral effects. Therefore, the seeds are often used in traditional medicines to treat dysentery, bloody diarrhea and scabies. Apart from that, areca nut seeds can be used as a mixture for people to eat betel, a natural red coloring agent, and a tanning agent.
The following are some of the potential benefits of areca nut, namely increasing energy, maintaining heart health, protecting the liver from damage, potentially reducing the risk of cancer, potentially reducing symptoms of schizophrenia (a chronic disorder of the brain). Even though it has a number of potential health benefits, long-term use of areca nut is not recommended. One reason is because this fruit can cause addiction like other psychoactive substances.
Behind this function, it turns out that the areca plant, especially its fruit, can be used as a source of raw materials for medicines, so it is needed throughout the year. It has even become a source of foreign exchange for exports. Because of this, the areca nut business opportunity is very easy and promising, especially since everyone can cultivate it.
Apart from the betel nut that can be used, areca nut stems can also be used for home or livestock purposes as a substitute for wood/boards. Even though its durability is not as strong as wood and the price is relatively cheap, this can reduce the costs of purchasing material goods.
One of the betel nut business opportunities has been pursued by Heri (36), a resident of V Sidodadi Hamlet, Pematang Setrak Village, Teluk Mengkudu District, Serdang Bedagai (Sergai) Regency. He started working in this business from 2011 until now. "His previous business was not as big as it is now, which made him a collector in his area," he said.
The areca nuts he got from picking them up from the betel nut seekers, in one day Heri was able to collect approximately 400kg of betel nuts from the betel nuts.
