✵The article records the herb Areca Peel, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely one plant species, Areca catechu L.—and a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species; as well as the morphological features of the herb Areca Peel, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pericarpium Arecae (Areca Peel)
Pinyin Name: Dà Fù Pí
English Name: Areca Peel
Latin Name:Pericarpium Arecae Properties and Flavor: Slightly warm; pungent
Brief Introduction:Pericarpium Arecae is the dried pericarp of Areca catechu L., used to promote diuresis and regulate stagnant Qi to relieve abdominal distension and edema. It is commonly known as Pericarpium Arecae, Areca Peel, or Dà Fù Pí.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Pericarpium Arecae (Areca Peel) as the dried pericarp of Areca catechu L., a tree species belonging to the genus Areca, family Arecaceae (formerly Palmae), order Arecales. This widely used species is described below:
(1) Areca catechu L.
Botanical Description: Commonly known as Bīng Láng, Areca catechu L. is an unbranched, arborescent palm with an upright stem reaching 10–18 m in height—not cm—and bearing distinct annular leaf scars. Its pinnately compound leaves are clustered at the stem apex, measuring 1.3–2 m in length, smooth, with prismatic rachises; leaflets (pinnae) are lanceolate-linear or linear, 30–70 cm long and 2.5–6 cm wide, with narrow bases; apical leaflets are closely appressed and often bear irregular clefts.
Inflorescences emerge from the base of the lowest leaves and are subtended by large, spathe-like bracts that are long obovate, up to 40 cm in length and smooth. The inflorescence is multiramous; flowers are unisexual and homomorphic. Male flowers are small, numerous, sessile, and densely appressed to the upper portion of the branches—usually solitary, rarely paired—with three sepals (calyx lobes) that are thick and small; two petals, ovate-oblong, 5–6 mm long; six stamens with short, slender filaments; and three filiform staminodes. Female flowers are larger and fewer, also sessile, grow on the rachis (floral axis) or at the base of branches; they possess three sepals (calyx lobes), oblong-ovate, 12–15 mm long.
The fruit is an ovoid or oblong nut, 5–6 cm long; the calyx and corolla persist and turn red upon maturity. Flowering occurs twice annually, primarily from March to August; winter-flowering plants do not set fruit. Fruit ripens from December to June of the following year.
Ecological Environment: Native to Malaysia, Areca catechu is predominantly distributed across Southeast Asia and tropical Asia. In the Pacific region, it occurs in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Micronesia—including scattered populations on islands such as the Sulu Archipelago, the Mariana Islands, and the Marshall Islands. In Hawaii, betel nut palms are cultivated only ornamentally. It is also cultivated in China.
The tree grows scattered in low valleys, at ridge bases, on slopes, and along stream banks within tropical rainforests and secondary forests. It also thrives in humus-rich gullies, ridges, open woodlands, and slightly acidic to neutral sandy loam soils in mountainous wilderness areas.
Growth Characteristics:Areca catechu prefers high-temperature, humid climates with abundant rainfall. It tolerates fertile soils but is intolerant of cold: defoliation occurs at temperatures below 16 °C (60.8 °F); frost damage occurs below 5 °C (41 °F). Its optimal growth temperature range is 25–28 °C (77–82.4 °F). Annual precipitation of 1,500–2,200 mm is ideal. Seedlings require 50–60% shade; mature trees need full sun. Cultivation is best suited to deep, organically rich sandy loam soils. It is mainly distributed between latitudes 28°N and 28°S. It grows well at elevations of 0–1,000 m with annual rainfall of 1,700–2,000 mm.
Characteristics of the Herb: The dried pericarp is typically split longitudinally into two halves. Unprocessed specimens are oval (egg-shaped) or elliptic—gourd-like in appearance—5–7 cm long, approximately 3 cm wide, and 0.2–0.5 cm thick. The exocarp is sallow (grayish-yellow) to dark brown or nearly black, bearing brown spots and irregular longitudinal fissures; the endocarp is concave and cordate, brown, with a smooth, hard, shell-like surface; the mesocarp is fibrous. When mechanically loosened (e.g., by light hammering), the herb becomes friable and unconsolidated, with pale yellow, palm-fiber-like fibers. It is lightweight, pliable yet tough in texture, easily torn longitudinally, revealing visible mesocarp fibers upon rupture. The herb has a mild odor and a slightly astringent taste. Higher-grade herb material is pale yellow to white, soft, flexible, and free of impurities.
Areca Hair: Slightly oval or scoop-shaped. The exocarp is mostly absent or partially retained. The mesocarp is brown, pilose, yellowish-white or light brown, loose, and soft. The endocarp is hard-shelled, yellowish-brown or brown; its inner surface is smooth and occasionally exhibits longitudinal cracks. The herb has a faint odor and a mild taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Effect on intestinal smooth muscle.
Medicinal Efficacy: Promotes Qi descent and diuresis to alleviate edema. Indicated for damp retention obstructing Qi flow, resulting in abdominal fullness, distension, oppression, constipation, edema, swelling, beriberi, ascites, dysuria (difficulty in urination), and related conditions.
Administration of Pericarpium Arecae (Dà Fù Pí):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Pericarpium Arecae (Dà Fù Pí)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 4.5–9 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1–2 qian (approximately 3–6 grams); or prepared as pills or powders.External use: Wash affected areas with a water decoction; or apply finely powdered herb topically as needed. (3) Internally: water decoction, 5–10 grams; or prepared as pills or powders.External use: Wash affected areas with a water decoction; or apply finely powdered herb topically as needed.
✵The article records the herb Areca Peel, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely one plant species, Areca catechu L.—and a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this species; as well as the morphological features of the herb Areca Peel, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Dà Fù Pí
Botanical Description: Commonly known as Bīng Láng, Areca catechu L. is an unbranched, arborescent palm with an upright stem reaching 10–18 m in height—not cm—and bearing distinct annular leaf scars. Its pinnately compound leaves are clustered at the stem apex, measuring 1.3–2 m in length, smooth, with prismatic rachises; leaflets (pinnae) are lanceolate-linear or linear, 30–70 cm long and 2.5–6 cm wide, with narrow bases; apical leaflets are closely appressed and often bear irregular clefts.
The fruit is an ovoid or oblong nut, 5–6 cm long; the calyx and corolla persist and turn red upon maturity. Flowering occurs twice annually, primarily from March to August; winter-flowering plants do not set fruit. Fruit ripens from December to June of the following year.
The tree grows scattered in low valleys, at ridge bases, on slopes, and along stream banks within tropical rainforests and secondary forests. It also thrives in humus-rich gullies, ridges, open woodlands, and slightly acidic to neutral sandy loam soils in mountainous wilderness areas.
Characteristics of the Herb: The dried pericarp is typically split longitudinally into two halves. Unprocessed specimens are oval (egg-shaped) or elliptic—gourd-like in appearance—5–7 cm long, approximately 3 cm wide, and 0.2–0.5 cm thick. The exocarp is sallow (grayish-yellow) to dark brown or nearly black, bearing brown spots and irregular longitudinal fissures; the endocarp is concave and cordate, brown, with a smooth, hard, shell-like surface; the mesocarp is fibrous. When mechanically loosened (e.g., by light hammering), the herb becomes friable and unconsolidated, with pale yellow, palm-fiber-like fibers. It is lightweight, pliable yet tough in texture, easily torn longitudinally, revealing visible mesocarp fibers upon rupture. The herb has a mild odor and a slightly astringent taste. Higher-grade herb material is pale yellow to white, soft, flexible, and free of impurities.
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