Introduction of Bing Lang:Areca Seed or Semen Arecae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Areca Seed, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Areca catechu L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Areca Seed, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Semen Arecae(Areca Seed).
Pin Yin Name: Bīnɡ Lɑnɡ.
English Name: Areca Seed, Betel Nut.
Latin Name: Semen Arecae.
Property and flavor: warm nature, tastes bitter, pungent.
Brief introduction: The herb Semen Arecae is the dried ripe seed of Betel Palm, Areca catechu L., used (1).to expel helminths for the treatment of ascariasis, fasciolopsiasis, ancylostomiasis, oxyuriasis and particularly taeniasis, (2).to remove undigested food for relieving abdominal distension and diarrhea with tenesmus in cases of food stagnation, (3).to induce diuresis for treating edema, and (4).to stop malarial episodes. The herb is commonly known as Semen Arecae, Areca Seed, Bīnɡ Lɑnɡ.
Botanical source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Semen Arecae (Areca Seed) as the dried ripe seed of Betel Palm, Areca catechu L. It is a plant of the Areca genus, the Arecaceae family (Palmae family) of the Principes order. This commonly used species is introduced:
Areca catechu L.
Botanical description: The tree, Areca catechu L is commonly known as Bīng Láng. A tree, the stem is upright, and arborescent, the tree grows over 10~18 meters high, even up to 30 meters high, with distinct annular leaf markings. It is unbranched, and conspiciuous ring patterns are composed when leaves fall off. Pinnately compound leaves, grow in a tuft on the tip of the stem, 1.3~2 meters long, smooth, rachis are trigonous; lobules (leaflets) are lanceolate-linear or linear (filate), 30-70 cm long, 2.5-6 cm wide, the base is narrow, apical lobules close up, has irregular split.
Inflorescences grow and inserted on the base of the lowest leaf, have spathe-like big flower bracts, long obovate, length reaches 40 cm, smooth, inflorescences are many-branched; flowers are dioecious; male flowers are small, many, sessile, closely appressed on the upper part of branches, usually monothetic, rarely opposite, 3 sepals, thick and fine small, 3 flower petals, ovate-oblong, 5-6 mm long, 6 stamens, filaments are short and small, 3 pistillodes, filiform (threadlike); female flowers are bigger and fewer, sessile, grow and inserted on the base of inflorescence axis or branches, 3 sepals, oblong-ovate, 12-15 mm long.
Nut fruits are oval (egg-shaped) or oblong, 3-5 cm long, or 5-6 cm long, orange-yellow, the pericarp is thick, fibrous, the calyx and flower petals are persistent, and turn red at maturity. Seeds are ovate, the base is truncated. It blooms twice a year, the flowering period is from March to August, and flowers in winter not fruiting; the fruiting period is from December to June of the following year.
The main varieties: There are 36 areca species known in the world, and people in different regions have different classification methods for these cultivars. For example, according to the inflorescence and fruits, farmers in the Hainan divide areca into long-pedicle species and short-pedicle species. Areca nut yield, alkaloid species and content, medicinal value, and biological and ecological characteristics of different varieties are greatly different.
Ecological environment: The tree was native to Malaysia, Areca catechu is mainly distributed in Southeast Asia, tropical Asia, and parts of Europe, in the Pacific region it is mainly distributed in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Micronesia, scattered in the skin's island, in the Mariana Islands and the Marshall Islands, Hawaii islands Areca catechu is only used as an ornamental plant. In China, it is mainly distributed in the Zhujiang River area, Yunnan, and other areas. It is also planted and produced in commercial volume in Sri Lanka.
Growth characteristics: Areca is a warm, moist and hot type of positive plant, that likes high temperature and moist, abundant rainfall humid climate environment. It is commonly scattered in the bottom of the low valley, slope and plain stream side, tropical rainforest secondary forest, but also grows in a humus-rich gully, ridge, thin forest, and slightly acidic to neutral sandy loam.
Areca is mainly distributed between north and south latitude 28 °. The optimum temperature is 25-28 °C (Celsius, or 77~82.4 degrees Fahrenheit), the minimum temperature is not lower than 10 °C (Celsius, or 50 degrees Fahrenheit), and the maximum temperature is not over 40 °C (Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit). It is tolerant to fertility but not tolerant to coldness, starts to defoliate at 16 °C (Celsius, or 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit), and freezing damage at 5 °C (Celsius, or 41 degrees Fahrenheit). Foilage shade level is 50%~60% in the seedling period, adult trees need full exposure. It can grow well in areas at altitudes of 0~1,000 meters and an annual rainfall of 1,500~2,200 mm. It is appropriate to choose fields with deep soil layers, and organic matter-rich sandy loam for cultivation.
Characters of herbs: Seeds are oblate or conical, the tip is blunt, the base is flat and wide, the height is 1.5~3 cm, and the base is 1.5~3 cm in diameter. The surface is fallow (pale yellowish-brown) to dark brown, with slightly concave pale color reticulated lines, occasionally attached with silvery white endocarp patches or pericarp fibers, with concave pits in the center of the base (the micropyle part) and a big light-colored hilum beside it. The texture of the herb is extremely firm and hard, and marble-like lines are visible on the cross-section, which is formed by the reddish-brown episperm (seed coat) and outer endosperm mistakenly inserted into the whitish inner endosperm. There are gaps inside the longitudinal section of the micropyle, and there are small and wizened embryos. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes slightly bitter. The herb of a better grade is big, heavy, hard, and unbroken.
In 2003, the International Center for research on Cancer published the conclusion that "areca nut itself is the first type of carcinogen", which is the authoritative conclusion after collecting hundreds of areca nut research reports from seven countries and regions, including Taiwan, and Pakistan. This conclusion also tells people, often eating areca nuts may cause cancer. Besides, a 2010 study by the Taiwan Institute of health showed that the percentage of oral cancer cases in the public could be attributed to betel nut chewing (38%) and smoking (31%). The researchers also called for people to quit betel nut and quit smoking to prevent oral cancer.
Pharmacological actions: ①.dispelling and killing parasites:the herb Semen Arecae has a strong inhibition effect on Taenia pellucida (measly tapeworm), can paralyze the whole worm body, can only paralyze the head and immature segments of Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm), also has a dispelling effect or killing effect to pinworm (threadworm), ascarid (roundworm), ancylostome (hookworm), mastigot, fasciolopsis and so on, has certain preventive effect on schistosomiasis (hemic distomiasis); ②.anti-pathogenic microorganisms effect: areca water infusion has different degree of inhibition on dermatophytes including Trichophyton Schoenleinii, Trichophyton violaceum; the water infusion of the herb has an inhibitory effect on influenza virus; ③.affect the process of sperm development and cause uterine spasms during pregnancy; ④.anti-hypertensive effect, anti-cancer effect and so on; ⑤.digestive system effect.
Medicinal efficacy: Dispelling and killing parasites, removing food retention or Qi stagnation, promoting the circulation of Qi, descending Qi, alleviate water retention, preventing attack or recurrence of malaria. It is indicated for taeniasis, ascaridiasis (ascariasis), fasciolopsiasis (intestinal distomiasis), parasitic malnutrition (malnutrition due to parasitic infestation), parasitic malnutrition and abdominal pain, dyspeptic retention (food retention and indigestion), indigestion and diarrhea, epigastric distended pain, tenesmus (rectal tenesmus), diarrhea and tenesmus, edema and beriberi, malaria, phlegmatic mass, etc.
Administration of Semen Arecae (Bīnɡ Lɑnɡ):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Semen Arecae (Bīnɡ Lɑnɡ)
TCM Books:
①.Internally: 3~10 grams, to dispel tapeworm, fasciolopsis, 30~60 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction, 1.5~3 qian(about 4.5~9 grams), to dispel parasite with single herb recipe, dosage could be up to 2~3 liang (about 60~90 grams);or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:wash with water decoction, or prepare to finely ground herb powder, mixed and apply stick; ③.Internally:water decoction,6~15 grams, to dispel parasite with single herb recipe, dosage could be up to 60~90 grams;or prepare to pill, powder.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions:The herb Semen Arecae should be used cautiously or avoid using in conditions Qi deficiency and collapse.
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1.Introduction of Bing Lang:Areca Seed or Semen Arecae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Areca Seed, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Areca catechu L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Areca Seed, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Bīnɡ Lɑnɡ.
Botanical description: The tree, Areca catechu L is commonly known as Bīng Láng. A tree, the stem is upright, and arborescent, the tree grows over 10~18 meters high, even up to 30 meters high, with distinct annular leaf markings. It is unbranched, and conspiciuous ring patterns are composed when leaves fall off. Pinnately compound leaves, grow in a tuft on the tip of the stem, 1.3~2 meters long, smooth, rachis are trigonous; lobules (leaflets) are lanceolate-linear or linear (filate), 30-70 cm long, 2.5-6 cm wide, the base is narrow, apical lobules close up, has irregular split.
Nut fruits are oval (egg-shaped) or oblong, 3-5 cm long, or 5-6 cm long, orange-yellow, the pericarp is thick, fibrous, the calyx and flower petals are persistent, and turn red at maturity. Seeds are ovate, the base is truncated. It blooms twice a year, the flowering period is from March to August, and flowers in winter not fruiting; the fruiting period is from December to June of the following year.
Ecological environment: The tree was native to Malaysia, Areca catechu is mainly distributed in Southeast Asia, tropical Asia, and parts of Europe, in the Pacific region it is mainly distributed in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Micronesia, scattered in the skin's island, in the Mariana Islands and the Marshall Islands, Hawaii islands Areca catechu is only used as an ornamental plant. In China, it is mainly distributed in the Zhujiang River area, Yunnan, and other areas. It is also planted and produced in commercial volume in Sri Lanka.
Areca is mainly distributed between north and south latitude 28 °. The optimum temperature is 25-28 °C (Celsius, or 77~82.4 degrees Fahrenheit), the minimum temperature is not lower than 10 °C (Celsius, or 50 degrees Fahrenheit), and the maximum temperature is not over 40 °C (Celsius, or 104 degrees Fahrenheit). It is tolerant to fertility but not tolerant to coldness, starts to defoliate at 16 °C (Celsius, or 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit), and freezing damage at 5 °C (Celsius, or 41 degrees Fahrenheit). Foilage shade level is 50%~60% in the seedling period, adult trees need full exposure. It can grow well in areas at altitudes of 0~1,000 meters and an annual rainfall of 1,500~2,200 mm. It is appropriate to choose fields with deep soil layers, and organic matter-rich sandy loam for cultivation.
Characters of herbs: Seeds are oblate or conical, the tip is blunt, the base is flat and wide, the height is 1.5~3 cm, and the base is 1.5~3 cm in diameter. The surface is fallow (pale yellowish-brown) to dark brown, with slightly concave pale color reticulated lines, occasionally attached with silvery white endocarp patches or pericarp fibers, with concave pits in the center of the base (the micropyle part) and a big light-colored hilum beside it. The texture of the herb is extremely firm and hard, and marble-like lines are visible on the cross-section, which is formed by the reddish-brown episperm (seed coat) and outer endosperm mistakenly inserted into the whitish inner endosperm. There are gaps inside the longitudinal section of the micropyle, and there are small and wizened embryos. The herb has a slight odor, it tastes slightly bitter. The herb of a better grade is big, heavy, hard, and unbroken.
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