A brief introduction to the basic history and culture of Southeast Asia (more than 9000 words)

Southeast Asia is deeply influenced by the four major cultural systems in the world-Indian, China, Islam and the West. First of all, Indian culture first influenced Southeast Asia. Religion (especially Hinduism and Buddhism), language, customs, laws and politics in Indian culture may have spread to parts of Southeast Asia as early as BC. Many parts of Southeast Asia have cultural relics under the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism, such as the temple buildings of Khmer Angkor. India has a great influence on the languages of Southeast Asia. Most parts of early Southeast Asia (except northern Vietnam and the Philippines) either used Sanskrit or Pali directly, or borrowed Indian letters to spell their own languages, such as Khmer in Cambodia and Pyu in Myanmar.

Secondly, it is the influence of China culture. China began to trade with Southeast Asia as early as the Han Dynasty. Silk and ceramics are exported to various places (Southeast Asia is part of the Maritime Silk Road), and tea, cloth, paper bags and lacquerware are also very popular in the international market. Moreover, due to trade and other factors, the population of China moved south, and some people moved to Southeast Asia during the Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties. Among them, Viet Nam is the country in Southeast Asia most influenced by China culture. From Qin and Han Dynasties to Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Vietnam and China maintained political or military exchanges. Vietnam and China have some exchanges in law and politics, academic thought, social system, religion and art, customs and habits, economy and culture.

The third cultural system that has an influence on Southeast Asia is Islam. After the 10th century AD, Muslim/Muslim activities began in Southeast Asia, mainly covering the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia Islands (including Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, Moluccas and Spice Islands). ) and the southern Philippines. 15-/kloc-During the 0/7th century, many Islamic countries sprang up in Indonesia, and the island country Southeast Asia was gradually incorporated into the Islamic cultural circle (except the north-central Philippines). Islam has become the main religion in the Malay world, and has deeply influenced the literature, art and life (food, clothing, housing and transportation) of residents, such as not touching pork.

The fourth cultural system that has an influence on Southeast Asia is Western culture. Since16th century, western countries have been looking for spices eastward. Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands successively entered Southeast Asia and established colonies. France and Britain also established colonies in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei in the19th century. By the beginning of the 20th century, western powers had colonized almost the whole of Southeast Asia (except Thailand, which reluctantly ceded land to maintain its independence). Colonists inevitably brought their own culture to the colonies. More or less affected the colony. For example, the Philippines has become the largest Catholic country in Southeast Asia under the influence of Spain. For decades, western culture has penetrated into most parts of Southeast Asia through new media.

The four major cultural systems have influenced Southeast Asia, but Southeast Asia has its own thinking. The existing Southeast Asian culture should be the fusion of foreign culture and local culture. Southeast Asia is influenced by foreign cultures (especially the four major systems), but it is not fully accepted; Southeast Asia has its own local culture. At present, Southeast Asian culture is not purely composed of foreign cultures, nor is it entirely created by local people. It should be formed by the long-term contact, interweaving and integration of the two sides and various forces, so Southeast Asia is complex and diverse. The culture of Southeast Asia is constantly changing.

China Cultural Circle-Viet Nam

Viet Nam has been greatly influenced by China for two thousand years, because its territory is adjacent to China and China is relatively strong. In BC, northern Vietnam was directly ruled by China. For thousands of years, not only Confucianism, but also China's ideas on politics, society, religion, ethics, family, gender, marriage, material culture and so on have entered Vietnam. Whether it is martial arts or literature, Vietnam has long been deeply influenced by Chinese style. For example, Vietnam is basically a patriarchal society, where men are superior to women and women are in a weak position; Society is hierarchical, but classes can flow (such as passing exams); Families are often the units that maintain human relations, and villages are dense-these may be related to agricultural society and collective rice farming (because a certain number of people must work together to cultivate). Today, there are still many cultural relics with Mahayana or China flavor in central and northern Vietnam. However, many cultural products are unique, in other words, the religions in Vietnam have integrated Confucianism, Buddhism (Mahayana Buddhism) and Taoism. Plus the local animism. Viet Nam also has an imperial examination system, which, like China, promotes talents through examinations. But the three Vietnamese Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism tried together; This is unprecedented in China. The Vietnamese character "Nanzi" was born from Chinese characters. "Nanzi" is also a square character, similar in shape to Chinese characters. It directly borrows Chinese characters, or arranges and combines the radicals, components, one word or two words of Chinese characters, and then becomes new words, representing new ideas. This word has been around since the twelfth century.

Geographically speaking, Zhanpo in central Vietnam is less influenced by Chinese style. Champa is an ancient country, and its main remains are in Da Nang, which has long opposed and even fought against North Vietnam. Zhanpo is dominated by Zhan in race; The northern part of Vietnam is dominated by Vietnamese. Although Champa is deeply influenced by Indian culture, especially Hinduism, this country has its own social culture. For example, women in this country have a high status and are "cheap men and expensive women", which is different from India.

Vietnam has been fighting for nearly two thousand years, and men are often out to fight. Women often become the main productive workers, and it is often women who do small businesses; During the Vietnam War, even farming was almost done by women, and agricultural cooperatives were also run by women. Therefore, women can also own and inherit land. During the war, they held several positions and worked hard; After the war, because many people lost their spouses (Mr. Wang died in battle), she became a matriarch and continued to wear several hats. With the development of economy, women have become the mainstream of the labor force. Although, according to the traditional patriarchal culture in China, the status of women is lower than that of men's "three obedience and four virtues", the status and role of Vietnamese women are very important in the economic aspect (actual labor, shouldering the family's livelihood and becoming the pillar of the family).

The cultural boundary of "good women" in Vietnam is closely related to the changes of gender culture in Vietnam. Although Vietnam's gender culture is constantly changing, its main connotation has not escaped the inspiration of the second feminist movement led by European and American society in the 1960s, and it is also close to the concept of "motherhood". In any case, the phenomenon of equal rights between men and women (Frenier and Mancini1996: 30-34), which existed in Vietnam five centuries ago and was praised by scholars as "unique in the history of East Asian civilization", has never appeared in Vietnamese society again. (Taiwan Province Journal of Southeast Asia, Vol.3, No.1, April 2006, p.44)

At present, the belief of Vietnamese is mainly Confucianism, and Buddhism, Taoism and ancestor worship are also very prosperous. One tenth of them are Catholics, and there are many Hindus in Central and South China. Islam is also very popular in central China. (A Brief History of Vietnam, written by Liang Zhu, 2003 edition, P7)

Vietnam's education system:

Vietnam is deeply influenced by Confucian culture in education and cultivation, and the national literacy rate is 88% and 6% respectively. Vietnam's education system was originally imitated by the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. In recent years, due to the needs of opening up and reform, the educational system and content have undergone considerable changes. Its educational system is generally five years, four years, three years and four years in primary school, four years in junior high school, three years in senior high school and four years in university (five years in some departments, such as architecture and medicine, two years in master's degree and two to four years in doctor's degree), and the national compulsory education is nine to four years in junior high school.

In terms of the influence of western culture, Vietnam was "protected" by France in the 19th century, and France introduced Romanization in Vietnam, which also changed Vietnam's culture dominated by Chinese characters for two thousand years. Moreover, the increase of religion, the influence of Vietnam War, the introduction of American-Soviet culture, and the entry of foreign forces into Vietnam have all had a great impact on the Vietnamese nation. Under the shaping of this history and environment, the Vietnamese nation has a strong vitality, perseverance to overcome difficulties, and sometimes the spirit of sacrificing the ego to make the ego complete.

Islamic cultural circle-Indonesia

As an Islamic country, Indonesia has a history of nearly 500 to 600 years, and is currently the country with the largest Muslim population. Indonesia has animist beliefs and primitive tribes, such as the nation called Daillac by the Netherlands. Their artistic skills are quite good. Ikat (dyed fabric) has a beautiful pattern design, and beading is also famous. In the first Millennium, Indonesia was influenced by Indian culture, so the colors of Hinduism and Buddhism were very distinct. One of the most famous buildings is Borobudur. The concept it shows is taken from India; Its relief content not only explains the principles of Buddhism, but also has rich life scenes and customs. Its central tower and many small towers on each floor are bell-shaped with polygonal stone cylindrical spires at the top. In the ancient culture of Indonesia, polygonal columnar standing stone is a symbol of ancestral spirit. So from this building, we can see the combination of Indonesian native worship, Indian concept, Java interpretation and practice. In addition, Hindu architecture can be named the Mausoleum of Prambanan.

From 13 to 15 century, Indonesia embarked on the road of Islamization. Mosque has become the main religious building, and the great mosque in Aceh can be represented. However, due to the complexity of the natural and cultural environment in Southeast Asia, mosques in Southeast Asia are also different in appearance, and "localization" can be seen from time to time. The main body of the mosque does not necessarily have a dome like the Arab world, nor does it necessarily have a thin and tall minaret. On the contrary, they may have the shape of local traditional buildings, that is, two or three floors above and below, each floor is surrounded by long eaves, and the roof is inclined (eaves and roofs with large slopes are conducive to drainage).

Indonesia's "Unity and Diversity"

Indonesia has tens of thousands of islands, stretching 4800 kilometers from west to east. People living on the island have different races and customs. Just three time zones (from west to east). Secondly, there have been many countries and dynasties in Indonesian history. Modern times were colonized by the west for a long time, occupied by the Japanese in World War II, returned to the Netherlands after the war, and became independent. Culturally, I have accepted various systems and experienced various changes. It's really complicated and diverse. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Indonesian government has been pursuing "seeking unity in diversity", but "seeking unity in diversity" seems to go hand in hand with it.

The information in this paper is mainly extracted from Yan Zhihong's Southeast Asian Culture and Society, and included in the Southeast Asian Culture Teaching Reference Manual of the Ministry of Education on page 79- 1 16. ※.

Second, about the betel nut culture in Southeast Asia.

(Hu, Master of Nanyang Research Institute, Grade 04)

Betel nut has a long history in Southeast Asia. Areca catechu is a tropical plant in Palmae. Its fruit is oval, edible and medicinal. Many countries and ethnic groups in Southeast Asia have the habit of chewing betel nuts, which began 2000 years ago. It is not limited to a certain country or region, but widely distributed in the islands of Southeast Asia from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and its scope is roughly in line with the expansion of Austronesian languages. It is closely related to the cultures of Southeast Asia, and some clues can be found in languages, utensils and history books. Such as oral life, myths and legends. Chewing betel nut is indecent behavior in the eyes of westerners. Because of this prejudice, its roots deeply rooted in traditional culture are often ignored. In fact, this tradition is very rich and ancient. Even today, when globalization and traditional values are subordinate to western mainstream culture, its deep roots in various cultures are undeniable and worth looking back and regaining. Keywords: Southeast Asia; Betel nut; Betel nut culture

Arecae is the common name of areca nut, which comes from the Latin of Malaysia's local name. Its name catechu means "a kind of juice extracted from plants" in Malay, so it can be used as a natural dye. In addition to southern China, India, Ceylon, Viet Nam, Malaysia, the Philippines and other places, the custom of chewing betel nut has lasted for at least 2000 years, which is the common hobby of civilians and nobles. Areca catechu can be found in the literature and can be traced back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties 1000 years ago. Li Houzhu's "Ah Huzhu": "Just after the evening makeup, Shen Tan paid a little attention and showed some lilacs to people. A clear song, temporarily lead the cherry blossoms to break. The color in Luo Can's sleeve is residual, and the cup is full of fragrant mash. The rusty bed is so charming that it chews red and laughs at Tan Lang. " The word "red flag" is betel nut. Firstly, this paper expounds the origin and popularity of betel nut. Then briefly describe its medicinal function and main efficacy, and finally discuss the important position and influence of betel nut in Southeast Asian culture, which is extremely shallow.

First, the origin of betel nut and its popularity in Southeast Asia

According to the thirty-first volume of the Fruit Department of Compendium of Materia Medica: "The betel nut and betel nut recorded in Chinese [corrected] were moved here from the woody part.

Explanation: Binmen Li Dang's medicine is the opposite of Ren, which sounds like a guest. Xidan [Shi Zhen said] Bin Helang is a distinguished guest. According to the description of southern vegetation, people who make friends with Guangzhou must present this fruit first if they win the race. If you don't meet, you will hate each other. Then the name of betel nut was stamped here. Lei Ji's theory that Penang is pointed and Lang is round seems reasonable. Yan Shigu also pointed out that Lin Fuyun: Benevolence is betel nut. Betel nut Areca catechu is a tropical palm plant with oval fruit, which can be used for food and medicine. There are two kinds of betel nuts: red and white. The red one is small and soft, and the white one is big and hard. Must be cut into small pieces to chew. The taste of betel nut is usually bitter first and then sweet, which can also make people slightly drunk and stimulate refreshing. The juice of betel nut is red. Long-term chewing can dye teeth black, and some ethnic groups still regard "black and red" as beauty.

Compendium of Materia Medica also records its odor, saying that it is bitter, pungent, warm, astringent and nontoxic. [True Right Theory] It tastes sweet and cold. [Daming says] It tastes astringent. [Hongjingyue] People who make friends are sweet, but those who make friends are astringent. [Xun Yue] White tastes sweet and red tastes bitter. The element says, it tastes bitter and pure yang. Non-toxic [said] eating too much will cause a fever. "

There are also records about betel nut in the dictionary of traditional Chinese medicine: betel nut, betel nut tree, 10 ~ 18 meters high, unbranched, with obvious ring lines after leaves fall off. Leaves clustered at the top; Featherlike compound leaves, long1.3 ~ 2m, smooth, with triangular leaf axis, needle-shaped or linear leaflets, 30 ~ 70cm long and 2.5 ~ 6cm wide, narrow base, closed leaflets at the apex and irregular division. Inflorescence inserted at the base of the last leaf, spatulate bracts, long obovate, 40 cm long, smooth and multi-branched; Flowers unisexual, monoecious; Male flowers are small, numerous, sessile, near the upper branches, usually solitary, rarely opposite, calyx 3, thick and small, petals 3, oval and oblong, 5 ~ 6 mm long, stamens 6, filaments short, anthers basifixed, degenerated pistil 3, filiform; Female flowers are large and few, sessile, inserted at the base or branches of inflorescence axis, with 3 calyxes, oblong and ovoid, and12 ~15mm long. Nuts are ovoid or oblong, 5 ~ 6 cm long, with persistent calyx and flowers, and are red when mature. Flowers bloom twice a year, from March to August, and bloom in winter without fruit. The fruiting period is 65438+February to February of the following year. Distributed in Hainan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Fujian, Taiwan Province, Guangdong and other places, with Hainan as the most. The male bud (areca nut), immature fruit (areca nut) and pericarp (areca nut) of this plant can also be used as medicine.

How to wrap betel nut depends on the combination of materials and the size of its shape. The most basic common element is chewing betel nut with lime wrapped in rattan leaves. Some areas eat immature betel nuts (that is, the seeds of betel nut trees), while others eat mature ones. Immature seeds are soft, juicy and sweet, while mature seeds are bitter and hard. Areca nut kernel is also divided into raw food and cooked food. Generally speaking, people living in humid areas mostly eat raw food, while those living in dry areas eat cooked food. These methods include boiling water, sun drying or pickling. The same is true of old vine leaves. Some places are picked when they are green, and some places are picked when they are yellow. Some lime is collected from rocks. The usage is to grind it into powder and then add water to make it into paste. Near the sea are shellfish, corals and mollusks on the seabed, which can be burned and then ground into powder when used. Some islands that produce spices will add musk, pepper, cloves and other spices to betel nut.

There is also a corresponding record in materia medica: "Those who have short heads are hammers, and those who have pointed purple tattoos are Penang. Penang force is small, hammer force is large. It is better to use white Penang, sit upright and firm. Those who are half white and half black, guilty, don't take medicine. Scrape off the bottom with a knife and cut it carefully. Don't cross the flame, for fear of weakness. If you are familiar with it, you'd better not use it. Shi Zhen said12309 However, in this environment, there must be new white betel nuts. If you were anywhere else, you would have been cooked and smoked, and you would have lived. When eating raw betel nut, you must chew it with rattan and ancient ash, and spit out a lipstick water, which is smooth and not astringent and can help digestion. These three things are far apart, because they are different, but they are consistent with each other, so they are different. As the saying goes, "Betel nut depends on retention". Guben ash is also oyster ash. This is the mistake of the word clam Tile house ash can also be used. "

The slight excitement and anesthesia brought by chewing betel nut is probably the main reason why it is so popular. The alkaloids and tannins in areca nut kernel can stimulate nerves to relax muscles and make people feel relaxed. In addition, it can also help neutralize stomach acid and calm stomach pain. The fragrance of eat areca is mainly due to the leaves of the old vine, and its juice also has antibacterial effect, which is often used to treat wounds, skin diseases, or fever and headache. In the classification of food, betel nut is hot and betel nut leaves are cold, which is a very tonic food. Betel nut has its curative effect, but also has the risk of diseases, such as oral cancer and periodontal disease. Chewing betel nut for a long time will dye your teeth black and your lips red. Before western culture penetrated into Southeast Asia, this appearance was considered beautiful because people at that time thought it was different from other animals' white teeth. Up to now, fewer and fewer people insist on this aesthetic view.

Many countries and nationalities in Southeast Asia have had the habit of chewing betel nuts since ancient times. Betel nut is also considered as a gift to treat people and even a symbol of love. Marriage proposal, treat guests, hold weddings, funerals and weddings are all given by others. People are also very particular about the equipment for holding betel nuts, and they can even judge a person's identity through the betel nut box. The custom of chewing betel nut has a history of more than 2000 years. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, YueYang recorded in the Records of Foreign Bodies in Zhou Nan: "(Southerners chew betel nut) to make it smooth and make it eat." This ancient custom has been passed down to this day.

Arouse vitality, make people look good (red lips after chewing betel nut are regarded as a symbol of beauty), bring good luck, keep lips and teeth fragrant, and prevent diseases. These reasons for chewing betel nut are recorded in Indian classics in the sixth century. In addition, chewing betel nut is also listed as one of the eight great pleasures in life. Betel nut plays an important role in social activities. By sharing and giving to each other, they conveyed some information. For example, giving someone a basket of betel nuts shows this person's generosity, generosity and concern for each other. These make betel nut very popular in Southeast Asia.

Second, the medicinal and efficacy of betel nut

The thirty-first volume of "Materia Medica" contains: "Indications: eliminating valley and drainage, eliminating phlegm and resolving phlegm, killing three insects, burying corpses and treating white inches. Do not record the treatment of abdominal distension, eat raw and take it at the end, and use the valley to benefit water. Healing sore, promoting granulation and relieving pain. Burning ash, white sores in the mouth. Su Gong's propaganda aims to relieve depression in the five internal organs, break the qi in the chest, eliminate edema and treat heartache. Vibrating boxing can eliminate wind, qi, joints, nine orifices, five strains and seven injuries, spleen, middle energizer, vexation and crux. Daming governs the qi of bladder, qi of five diaphragmatic organs, qi of wind-cold and beriberi, which can not be eaten for long. Li Jue regards pulse as a disease, and qi is the opposite of internal urgency. Good ancient treatment of diarrhea, heart pain, secret stool, phlegm and asthma, malaria, furuncle prevention. The invention [Su Yue] betel nut tastes strong and weak. Ups and downs, yin in yang. Bitterness can break stagnation, Xin can dispel evil spirits, vent the supreme qi in the chest, and make it descend. Nature is as heavy as stone, and it can lower all kinds of medicines to the lower pole, so it is as heavy as god to treat all kinds of qi. [Shi Zhen said] According to Luo Dajing's "He Lin Yu Lu Yun", Lingnan people use betel nut instead of tea to fight dysentery, which has four advantages: First, it can make them drunk after waking up, and if they cover their food for a long time, their cheeks will be red. If they drink alcohol, Su Dongpo calls it "cheek flush makes betel nuts drunk". Second, drunkenness can sober them up. Chew it after drinking, and the phlegm will disappear, and the rest will disappear. Zhu Huian said that "betel nut is used to remove phlegm". Third, hunger can make you full. Four whole days will make you hungry. If you eat on an empty stomach, you will be full of gas. If you eat when you are full, your diet will soon disappear. Also endowed with sparse and not discouraged. It is solemn, sweet and virtuous, so it has merit. Zhu Huian's betel nut poem said: I remember traveling to the south yesterday, and my face turned red from the beginning; The medicine bag is known to be useful, and the tea bowl is the same. Donate diseases and collect special effects to cultivate real talents and practical learning; If you don't avoid three Peng, you will lose seven points. It is also better than its ability to treat diseases and kill insects, but it is not satisfied with the custom of replacing tea. " It can be seen that its efficacy is very significant and diverse.

The dictionary of traditional Chinese medicine describes the efficacy of areca nut in this way, which is divided into several aspects: "Pharmacology ① Insecticidal effect Arecoline is an effective anthelmintic ingredient. It has a strong paralyzing effect on pork tapeworm, paralyzing all parts of the whole worm. It can only completely paralyze the head and immature segments of beef tapeworm, and has little effect on the pregnant egg segments in the middle and rear parts. In vitro tests also have paralyzing effect on pinworm. Arecoline can also poison ascaris, but it is ineffective against hookworms. The mixed decoction of Areca catechu with Realgar, Cinnamomum cassia and Ferula has certain preventive effect on schistosomiasis infection in mice, but the mixed decoction with Hemerocallis fulva, Coptidis Rhizoma and Radix Aucklandiae has no effect on schistosomiasis treatment in mice.

(2) Antifungal and antiviral effects. The water extract has inhibitory effect on skin fungi such as Trichophyton purpurea in vitro. Decocting and soaking in water have certain inhibitory effects on some strains of influenza A virus, and its antiviral effect may be related to its tannins.

③ The effect of arecoline on cholinergic receptor is similar to pilocarpine, which can stimulate M cholinergic receptor to increase gland secretion, especially saliva secretion, and can make the pupil shrink when dropping eyes. In addition, it can increase intestinal peristalsis, contract bronchi, slow down heart rate, and cause vasodilation and blood pressure drop, which can cause coronary artery contraction after application. 1% solution can reduce intraocular pressure in glaucoma, but its duration is short, and it has obvious stimulation effect on cornea. Due to the increase of intestinal peristalsis, paralyzed tapeworms are discharged. It can excite N- cholinergic receptors, such as skeletal muscle, ganglion and carotid body. It also has cholinergic effects on the central nervous system. Intravenous injection of a small amount of arecoline can cause cortical arousal response in cats, and atropine can weaken or block this effect.

④ Subcutaneous injection of arecoline can inhibit the general activities of mice, and improve the activity reduction and memory impairment caused by chlorpromazine. People who usually chew betel nut have a great appetite, less diarrhea and sore throat, and can also treat abdominal pain, probably because it contains a lot of tannins. In addition, people in eat areca have less intestinal parasites and less thirst, which may be related to the effect of arecoline. Excessive toxic arecoline causes salivation, vomiting, diuresis, drowsiness and convulsion. If it is caused by oral administration, you can gastric lavage with potassium permanganate solution and inject atropine.

The author read the relevant literature and found that there are the following aspects to describe the function and efficacy of betel nut:

Insecticidal, accumulation-breaking, qi-lowering and water-benefiting. The crux of the problem is food stagnation, abdominal distension and abdominal pain, diarrhea, malaria, edema, beriberi and phlegm addiction. The following documents have corresponding records: (1) "Bielu": "Master the elimination of grain water, eliminate phlegm addiction, kill three insects, and cure the white." (2) The theory of medicinal properties: "Li Xuan's five internal organs are stagnant, broken and full of qi, and edema occurs. Treat heartache, wind and blood. " (3) "Tang Herbal Medicine": "The main abdominal distension, raw and smashed at the end of the service, Lishui Valley. Apply sores to promote granulation and relieve pain. " Burned to ashes, with white sores on the main throat. "(4) On athlete's foot:" Treat athlete's foot that is toxic and swollen due to moisture. " (5) Seafood Materia Medica: "The mainstream of dolphin's qi, the qi of five diaphragmatic organs, and the qi of cold don't need to be eaten overnight." (6) Rihuazi Materia Medica: "Eliminate wind, reduce qi, dredge joints, benefit nine orifices, make up five strains and seven injuries, strengthen spleen, adjust middle energizer, remove annoyance, break the crux and reduce five qi." (7) The origin of medicine: "After treatment, it is important." (8) Wang: "If the pulse is a disease, the qi will be contrary to the internal urgency." (9) "Outline": "After treating diarrhea, it is more painful, secret urination, phlegm and asthma. Treat malaria and prevent scabies. " (10) Herbal Xuan Tong: "Stop malaria and treat hernia." (1 1) "Interest-bearing Diet Spectrum": "Declare stagnation, break firm, moderate pain, dredge intestines and drain water, and make fat sweet and toxic. "It can harden your teeth and relieve your breath." (12) Modern and Practical Chinese Medicine: "It has the functions of invigorating the stomach, astringing and purging, and at the same time expelling ginger leaf worms and tapeworms.

Recent studies have expanded the efficacy of betel nut. Zheng Huiwen, Ph.D. in Pharmacy, University of California, pointed out in the British Journal of Psychology that chewing betel nut can help patients with schizophrenia to relieve their illness. The researchers analyzed the reaction of 70 patients to chewing betel nut, and found that when chewing more than 10 tablets a day, the symptoms were less intense and more comfortable than those who were not in eat areca. Because betel nut contains arecoline, its influence on human body is similar to acetylcholine. This substance can reduce dopamine in the brain and achieve the therapeutic purpose similar to schizophrenia drugs.

Third, look at the traditional culture of Southeast Asia from betel nut.

The first is the betel nut in myth and legend. In many oral literature, betel nut is an important symbol, and the origin of betel nut tradition can also be traced back from here. In Khmer, a princess named Prathong gave her new husband betel nut as a symbol of loyalty to marriage, and later generations continued to take betel nut as a faithful commitment to the relationship between men and women. In a Vietnamese legend, twin brothers fell in love with a woman at the same time. Because the two brothers had a very good relationship, they both chose to throw themselves into the river. After his death, his brother became limestone and his younger brother became a betel nut tree beside the rock. Moved by brotherhood, the woman jumped into the river and became a vine clinging to the tree. When the king learned about this, he had lime and leaves collected and tasted them. They were delicious. Since then, Vietnam has had the custom of chewing betel nut.

Let's look at the relationship between betel nut and royal culture. Betel nut is always indispensable in the social life and diplomatic activities of the royal family. This is an important symbol. When the two countries communicate, betel nut is a valuable gift, which represents the relationship between the two countries. Sometimes kings exchange betel nut boxes with each other. Betel nut is also an important dish for entertaining distinguished guests. The king is also from eat areca. He is very particular about the equipment and technology for making betel nuts, and there are servants around him to offer him betel nuts. Therefore, many exquisite handicrafts came into being, just like the porcelains in China during the Song and Ming Dynasties. The king and nobles used exquisite and gorgeous musical instruments to show and boast his wealth and status.

Betel nut is also closely related to sacrifice. In Southeast Asia, betel nut is regarded as the medium between ghosts and gods and human beings, and as the main sacrifice together with rice, it is a "gift" when people want to give and ask ghosts and gods. In Southeast Asia, which is engaged in agriculture, land and water are highly valued. Therefore, betel nut is often used to worship water gods and land gods. For example, in Thailand, betel nut is a sacrifice to pray for rain. Sometimes it is also used to exorcise evil spirits, especially when you are sick and pregnant. In funerals, betel nut is considered as something that can help the dead rest in peace or make the world better after death.

In addition, betel nut has a wonderful connection with lifelong events in many places. Besides between man and god, betel nut also plays a subtle role between men and women. In Malay, pinang (betel nut) also means to propose; Sireh (betel nut leaf) means a young girl who has reached marriageable age; Khan mak (a can of betel nut) also stands for wedding. Because chewing betel nut makes people look more energetic and beautiful, it is often easy to attract the attention of the opposite sex, which may be one of the reasons why betel nut is related to men and women. In Myanmar, when a girl likes a suitor, she invites him to eat areca, suggesting that other suitors give up. An Iban in Malaysia proposed to a woman with betel nut leaves. If she agreed, she accepted. In Java, Indonesia, women wrap betel nuts in different ways to show their meaning to men. If she likes to fold betel nut leaves up; If it's boring, fold the leaves below. The beautifully carved betel nut box is a necessary dowry for Thai brides. During the wedding, parents feed rice, fruit and betel nuts to the bride and groom, which brings harmony and happiness to the couple's marriage. After the bridal chamber, if the groom turns the betel nut box upside down, it means that the bride's chastity is questioned, and the whole family's doubts about the bride also follow.

summary

Influenced by western culture, the tradition of chewing betel nut has been declining, especially in the bustling and modern urban areas, and some shops selling betel nut food tools have gradually disappeared. Educated young people have abandoned this tradition and regarded it as an indecent old habit. In addition, the method of making betel nuts has also changed: people used to pack betel nuts at home, but now they like to buy them outside, cut them into pieces by machine and freeze them. The introduction of cigarettes has also reduced the population chewing betel nuts. Now the decline of betel nut is a gradual trend. In addition, it also appears in life in different styles, and its glory in traditional culture seems to be fading away and being forgotten. This article is only written to trace the origin of betel nut and the traditional culture of Southeast Asia it reflects.

Bibliography: compendium of materia medica, dictionary of traditional Chinese medicine, Rooney, D.F. 1993 betel nut chewing trade in southeast Asia. Kuala Lumpur Oxford University Press.