A reptile stands poised over the head of a man in this Balinese carving. Made of buffalo horn, the sheen and silky smooth feel of this handle made an elegant pestle for preparing betel chewing ingredients.
For centuries people through out the islands of the Southwest Pacific as well as Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the East coast of Africa have chewed a combination of the seed of the areca palm, slaked lime and betel pepper vine leaf. In some places tobacco, plant extracts and spices are also added.
Betel is a mild stimulant which freshens the breath and suppresses fatigue and hunger. It induces saliva production, changing it to a startling blood red color. Constant spitting and colored teeth and lips are superficial consequences of betel chewing. Serious effects include gum disease, tooth loss and mouth cancer.