Areca peel (DA FU PI)-Areca catechu-Pericarpium Arecae

Areca peel (DA FU PI)

Areca catechu L. (Fam. Arecaceae)

Pharmaceutical Name:

Pericarpium Arecae

Botanical Name:

Areca catechu L. (Fam. Arecaceae)

Common Name:

Areca peel

Part Used:

Dried pericarp

Pericarpium Arecae is mainly grown in Guangdong, Hainan, Yunnan, and Fujian. The unripe fruit is collected in winter through spring. It is boiled, dried, and sliced. This unripe peel is called Da Fu Pi, whereas the ripe fruit is called Da Fu Mao.

Properties  Taste & Meridians:

Pungent in flavor, slightly warm in property, acts on the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, and Small Intestine channels.

Functions:

Lowers Qi and soothes the Middle Heater, is a diuretic.

Indications & Combinations:

For Qi Stagnation due to accumulation of Dampness with epigastric and abdominal distension, difficult elimination of the feces, edema of the legs, and oliguia, it is used with Semen Arecae (Bing Lang).

Dosage and administration:

3–10 g, decocted in water for internal use.

Precautions:

Contraindicated in patients with loose stools due to Spleen Deficiency.

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