Parasites, dysentery treated with TCM Areca Nut

What is Areca Nut (Bing Lang)? Also known as beetlenut or betelnut, it refers to the dried seeds of betel palm tree (Areca catechu L.), which belongs to one of Pahnaceae plants’ species. In China, it mainly grows in provinces of Hainan, Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Taiwan. The ripening fruits are collected from late spring to early autumn, boiled with water, dried, rind removed, seeds taken out, and dried in the sun. Medicinally, it is usually in the form of soaked and sliced or mashed.

What is it used for in TCM?
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is bitter, acrid, and warm in nature and covers meridians of stomach and large intestine. Main functions are removing parasites to eliminate accumulation and activating qi for excreting water. Main uses and indications are multiple intestinal parasites, food retention and qi stagnation, abdominal distension and Constipation, Edema, Diarrhea and dysentery, and frequent urge to have bowel but can’t make it. Regular dosage is 6 to 15 gram in decoction or 60 to 120 grams when employed for only killing tapeworm and fasciolopsis buski.

Effects and benefits
According to modern pharmacological research, it shows that arecoline contained in this herb is an effective parasiticide, killing a number of entozoas, and a laxative, helping discharge of dead bodies of parasites. Combined with Pumpkin Seeds, it has a stronger effect, especially for taenia solium. In addition, it also inhibits, in a certain extent, influenza virus and many species of dermatophytes.