Pinyin: Binglang
Aliases
Xizhangdan, Dafubinglang, Binglangzi, Binglangyu
Source
Arecaceae plant Areca catechuAreca catechuL. of dried ripe seeds.
Botanical Description
See the entry under "Dafupi" (Areca Peel).
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest mature fruits from late spring to early autumn, boil in water, dry, remove the pericarp, extract the seeds, and dry.
Medicinal Properties
This product is oblate-spherical or conical in shape, 1.5-3.5 cm in height, with a bottom diameter of 1.5-3 cm. The surface is pale yellowish-brown or pale reddish-brown, with slightly concave reticulate grooves. At the center of the bottom, there is a round concave hilum scar, beside which there is a distinct spotted seed scar. The texture is hard and not easily broken; the cross-section reveals a marbled pattern of brown seed coat alternating with white endosperm. Odor: faint; Taste: astringent and slightly bitter.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains arecoline, guvacoline, arecaidine, homoarecoline, stearic acid, myristic acid, L-epicatechin, tannins, procyanidin A-1, and other components.
Pharmacology
Anthelmintic; stimulates cholinergic receptors; anti-pathogenic microorganisms; antihypertensive; anticancer.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, acrid, and warm. Enters the Stomach and Large Intestine channels.
Functions and Indications
Insecticidal, eliminates accumulation, moves Qi, promotes diuresis, and interrupts malaria. Used for tapeworm infection, roundworm infection, fasciolopsiasis, abdominal pain due to parasitic accumulation, dysenteric diarrhea due to food stagnation, tenesmus, edema and beriberi, and malaria.
Dosage and Administration
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6-15 g; for expelling parasites when used alone, 60-120 g; or made into pills or powder.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of Qi deficiency and sinking.
Prescriptions
1. For various parasites in the viscera that have not been cured for a long time: Binglang (Areca catechu, roasted) 15 g, grind into powder. Take 6 g each time, mix with scallion and honey decoction and take 3 g. (Sheng Hui Fang) 2. For roundworm attacking causing pain: Binglang 60 g. Two cups of wine, decoct to one cup, divide into two doses. (Shi Wu Ben Cao) 3. For food accumulation with fullness and oppression forming phlegm-saliva and vomiting: Binglang, Banxia (Pinellia ternata), Sharen (Amomum villosum), Laifuzi (Raphanus sativus), Maiya (Hordeum vulgare), Ganjiang (Zingiber officinale), Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) each 6 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (Fang Mai Zheng Zong) 4. For heart and spleen pain: Gaoliangjiang (Alpinia officinarum) and Binglang equal parts (each stir-fried). Grind into fine powder, take with rice drink. (Bai Yi Xuan Fang) 5. For suppurative otitis media with pus discharge: grind Binglang into powder and blow into the ear. (Bao Shi Xiao Er Fang)
