# Puga

> Puga (Areca catechu) is a plant used in Ayurveda. CAUTION: restricted dose due to arecoline content Bioavailability: Arecoline (primary alkaloid) from Areca catechu (Puga/Supari) has high oral bioavailability (>70%) with rapid buccal and GI absorption.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Areca catechu

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Puga |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Kashaya | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Guru, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (nut powder), Kwatha (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Supari (processed betel nut), Mouth freshener formulation

**Standard Dosage:** 1-2 g processed nut powder daily; 500 mg standardized extract daily; traditional chewing: small piece (1-2 g) after meals. CAUTION: restricted dose due to arecoline content

**Bioavailability:** Arecoline (primary alkaloid) from Areca catechu (Puga/Supari) has high oral bioavailability (>70%) with rapid buccal and GI absorption. Arecoline is a muscarinic agonist with parasympathomimetic activity. [Tannins](/reference/tannins/) ([catechin](/reference/catechin/), [epicatechin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#epicatechin)) have moderate oral bioavailability (15-30%). [Procyanidins](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#procyanidins) are partially absorbed and undergo colonic bacterial metabolism. Buccal absorption during chewing provides rapid onset of action.

**Optimal Timing:** Traditional: small piece after meals for digestive stimulation. Not recommended for regular/prolonged use. Any therapeutic use should be under qualified practitioner supervision.

**Standardized Extract:** De-arecolinized Puga extract standardized to procyanidins >20%, residual arecoline <0.1%. Full alkaloid extract (for research/controlled formulation only) with arecoline 2-4%. Tannin-rich fraction with catechin >10%.

**Shelf Life:** Dried nut: 12-24 months; Processed Supari: 6-12 months; Extract: 18-24 months; Tablets: 24 months

**Storage:** Dried nut: cool, dry, pest-proof storage, below 25 deg C. Processed products: airtight containers, protect from moisture. Extracts: amber containers, below 25 deg C. All: protect from insect infestation (susceptible to storage pests).

**Marker Compounds:** Arecoline, Arecaidine, Guvacine, Guvacoline, Catechin, Epicatechin, Procyanidin B1, Gallic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction of nut
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
- Methanol extraction for alkaloid profiling
- Traditional processing: slicing, drying, and treating with lime and catechu
- Supercritical CO2 for alkaloid-reduced fractions

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Lavanga](/herb/lavanga/)/Clove (digestive and mouth freshener)
- Ela/Cardamom (carminative combination)
- [Khadira](/herb/khadira/)/Catechu (astringent and oral health)
- [Jatiphala](/herb/jatiphala/)/Nutmeg (digestive after-meal combination)
- [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) (digestive and anthelmintic synergy)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/puga/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.