INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Pericarpium Arecae
Common English: Areca Husk
Areca Peel
Betel Husk
Herbs that Regulate Qi
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Acrid
Slightly Warm
Large Intestine
Small Intestine
Spleen
Stomach
3-10g
Tincture: 1-3ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Circulates and descends Qi and eases the Middle

Damp Stagnation in the Stomach and Intestines, Food Stagnation or Qi Stagnation in the Middle with epigastric and abdominal distention, focal distention, a stifling sensation and belching with acid regurgitation

Especially useful when the above conditions are accompanied by incomplete or irregular bowel movements

Promotes urination and reduces edema

Abdominal distention accompanied by edema, especially superficial edema or symptoms of Food Stagnation

Damp leg Qi

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Use caution for those with Qi Deficiency.
  • Use caution during pregnancy.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • This herb may exacerbate the extrapyramidal effects of neuroleptic drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril) and haloperidol (haldol) when used concurrently.

Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis
Hou Po
Per. Citri Reticulatae
Chen Pi

Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu

Cx. Poria
Fu Ling Pi
Cx. Zingiberis Recens
Sheng Jiang Pi

Epigastric and abdominal distention and discomfort with difficult bowel movements associated with stagnant Qi and Dampness.

Strengthens the Spleen, assists transportation, dredges clogged Stagnation, facilitates the removal of pathogenic water and Dampness, and reduces edema for treatment of Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness Obstruction. (loss of appetite, epigastric and abdominal fullness and distention, and edema)

Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness accumulating in the skin with floating edema.

Mild edema or superficial facial edema and leg Qi.

Sm. Arecae
Bing Lang

Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen

Constipation with bloating.

Excess Phlegm in the Spleen and Stomach with Qi Deficiency.

 

  1. One source lists this herb in the diuretic category.
  2. This herb is used when there is congestion of Qi and Dampness producing abdominal bloating and general edema.
  3. This herb descends all Qi, reduces water Qi, stops sudden turmoil disorder, unblocks the Large and Small Intestines, strengthens the Spleen, unblocks the Stomach, regulates the Middle and reduces floating edema in the muscles and skin, leg Qi, restless fetal Qi, morning sickness and stifling sensations around the chest during pregnancy.
  4. It is primarily used for its anti-parasitic action or more severe and acute manifestations of long-term digestive disorders involving dysbiosis or parasites.
  5. Both Da Fu Pi and Sm. Arecae Bing Lang descend Qi, facilitate the removal of pathogenic water and reduce edema. Da Fu Pi is acrid, lightweight, more moderately descends Qi and and disperses formless and formed Qi Stagnation. It also dredges and unblocks Excess Phlegm in the Spleen and Stomach. Bing Lang is bitter, acrid and heavy with a strong sinking nature that violently descends Qi, breaks up Qi Stagnation, drains formed Qi Stagnation, treats edematous swelling in the skin and kills parasites.