WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

 This medicinal is the ripe seed of Areca catechu L. (Fam. Palmae). It is collected in the period from late spring to early autumn. It is then peeled, dried by naturalsunlight, sliced after maceratin or pound into pieces for use as a medicine.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Bitter, pungent and warm; relate to stomach and large intestine meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Expel worms and remove food stagnation; move qi; induce diuresis.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Intestinal parasitic disease      It has a potent effect on expelling worms and its laxative action aids the expulsion of intestinal worms from the human body. It is used for killing various parasites such as cestodes, hookwors and ascarids. Being the most efficient medicinal to kill cestodes, it is usually used in combination with Nanguazi to creat mutual reinforcement. Forother parasitic diseases, it is combined with specific medicinals.

2. Dyspepsia and qi stagnation manifested as dysentery with tenesmus       It is often prescribed with Muxiang, Qinpi and Dahuang, as in the Muxiang Binglang Pills.

3. Edema, beriberi with the manifestations of swelling and pain        To treat edema of excess type, it often prescribed with Shanglu, Fulingpi and Zexie, as in the Shuzao Decoction. For the treatment of beriberi, it is often combined with Wuzhuyu, Mugua and Chenpi, as in the Jiming Powder.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 3.9g. When used by itself, its recomended dosage is to be increased to 30-60g in order to treat cestodiasis and fasciolopsiasis.

[ Precautions ]: It is not recommended for cases of spleen deficiency withloose stool.

槟榔为棕榈科植物槟榔Areca catechu L．的干燥成熟种子。主产于海南、福建、云南、广西、台湾等地。春末至秋初采收成熟果实，用水煮后，干燥，除去果皮，取出种子，晒干。浸透切片或捣碎用。