INDIVIDUAL HERBS
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Semen Arecae |
| Common English: | Areca Seeds Betel Nut |
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
Acrid Bitter |
Warm |
Large Intestine Stomach |
6-15g
For tapeworms: 60-120g when used alone Tincture: 2-4ml |
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Kills parasites |
Kills a wide variety of Intestinal parasites including fasciolopsis, pinworms, roundworms, hookworms, threadworms and Blood flukes Best for tapeworms Drains downward to expel the bodies of dead parasites |
Regulates Qi, reduces accumulations, drains downward and unblocks the bowels |
Food Stagnation and Qi Stagnation with abdominal distention, constipation or diarrhea with tenesmus |
Promotes urination |
Damp leg Qi and edema due to Excess |
Treats malarial disorders |
Malarial disorders |
| Relieves nausea | Nausea |
CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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INCOMPATIBILITIES |
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
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Fr. Carpesii |
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Dislodges and expels tapeworms. |
Fasciolopsiasis. |
A variety of intestinal parasites. |
Sm. Pharbitidis |
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Strongly moves Qi, resolve accumulations and breaks up Stagnation to promote the expulsion of parasite bodies and treats abdominal pain, bloating and constipation due to many types of intestinal parasites, but especially roundworms, tapeworms and hookworms. |
Food Accumulation and Qi Stagnation. |
Food Stagnation in patients with Spleen Deficiency marked by indigestion and abdominal fullness. |
| Rx. Paeoniae Alba or Rx. Paeoniae Rubra |
Fr. Aurantii Immaturus |
Per. Citri Reticulatae |
Damp-Heat dysenteric disorders with tenesmus. |
Acute dysenteric disorders with abdominal pain and tenesmus. |
Leg Qi. |
Rx. Phytolaccae |
Fol. Perillae |
|
Cold-Damp Leg Qi with swelling and pain. |
Edema due to Excess. |
Wind-Damp Leg Qi. |
Rx. Dichroae |
Sm. Cucurbitae Moschatae |
Fr. Piperis |
Malarial disorders in patients with Phlegm-Dampness. |
Dislodges parasites. |
Intestinal obstruction due to parasites. |
Fr. Aurantii |
Sm. Descurainiae/Lepidii |
Haematitum |
Chest congestion. |
Wheezing with Phlegm. |
Belching and nausea. |
Cx. Magnoliae Officinalis |
Concha Ostreae |
|
Abdominal distention with constipation. |
Tenesmus. |
Organomegaly, masses and cysts. |
Poria |
Rx. Dichroae |
|
Ascites. |
Malaria. |
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- The ability of this herb to drain downward helps expel the bodies of the parasites.
- Habitual use causes a diminution in taste sensation, an increase in appetite, periodontal disease, and in some cases chronic diarrhea, in addition to discoloration of the mouth and lips. (It has a narcotic effect and is chewed with an alkaline substance).
- This herb is useful for gastrointestinal problems that is associated with bloating and edema.
- This herb is often combined with Rx. Dichroae Chang Shan to treat malaria. Chang Shan has anti malarial action but may cause nausea and vomiting. Bing Lang relieves nausea and vomiting to improve patient compliance in taking the herbs.
- This herb acts on accumulations of many kinds, dispersing Qi Stagnation, promoting movement in Blood Stasis, transforming Phlegm, facilitating the elimination of pathogenic water, reducing Food Stagnation, unblocking stool and driving out parasites.
- This herb has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
- This herb is said to release inhibited visceral energy, dissipate masses and hemostasis and cure edema and stomachache.
- Another source says it expels abdominal masses, promotes digestion to remove Phlegm and pathogenic Wind, kills parasites sobers up the drunk, diminishes Phlegm Accumulation and cures dysuria and constipation.
- It is used as a tea to prevent miasma.
- Another source says it dissipates Stagnation and Stasis, regulates the Stomach to relieve pain, eases the Intestines to promote drainage and neutralizes a rich diet with much fat.
- It is also said to activate muscles to relieve pain.
- It is said to deactivate polio, the herpes virus the influenza virus and the rabies virus.
- It can also interrupt malaria.
- Both Bing Lang and Sm. Cucurbitae Moschatae Nan Gua Zi have a good parasite expelling action. To treat tapeworms, roundworms and other intestinal parasites and in combination, their effects are greatly enhanced. Bing Lang has the ability to strongly descend Qi, resolve accumulations, facilitate urination and reduce Phlegm and Food Stagnation which Nan Gua Zi cannot do.
- Both Bing Lang and Per. Arecae Da Fu Pi 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.
- White Areca Bai Bing Lang is particularly effective in descending Qi and promoting urination, but is ability to kill parasites is weak.
- Fresh Areca Xian Bing Lang promotes the movement of Qi and resolves Food Stagnation without injuring Yin.
- Dry-fried Areca Chao Bing Lang is slightly less strong and more appropriate for older or weaker patients.
- Scorched Areca Jiao Bing Lang primarily reduces and guides out to harmonize the Stomach Qi, and is generally used for Middle Jiao Food Stagnation.
- Date Areca Zao Bing Lang is bitter, astringent and has the ability to digest Food Stagnation, revive from drunkenness, unbind the chest and stop nausea and are primarily used to treat Food Accumulation with Qi Stagnation, nausea, and a stifling sensation in the chest and abdomen.