Supari, also known as Areca Catechu, is the areca nut. It's the seed of the Areca catechu palm, a tree cultivated in many tropical regions, including Southern India.
Uses of Supari:
- Masticatory: Supari is commonly chewed, often mixed with betel leaf (paan). This practice is prevalent in many parts of Asia.
- Spice: The nut is also used as a spice in some cuisines.
- Medicinal Properties: Ayurvedic medicine attributes several medicinal properties to supari.
The provided reference describes supari as a "medium-sized straight unbranched tree cultivated in southern states of India for the nut which is used as a masticatories and in spices." The reference also highlights its medicinal properties in Ayurveda.