Areca Seed
槟榔 · Bīng Láng
Kills intestinal parasites and eases bloated bellies
What it does
Areca seed is TCM's classic anti-parasite botanical. It kills intestinal worms by poisoning their nervous systems while staying tolerable for humans. It also moves qi downward through the digestive tract, breaking up food stagnation. It has a mild laxative effect. Note: chewed betel nut is the same species, but daily chewing causes oral cancer. Medicinal use is short-term and different.
How to take it
Decoct 6–15g of dried areca seed slices in water for 30 minutes. Take in a single dose for parasites, fasted, under practitioner direction. Short-term use only.
See a TCM practitioner. Self-prescribing for parasites is risky
Safety
- Daily betel nut chewing is a major cause of oral cancer. Avoid that use entirely
- Medicinal TCM doses are short-term. Do not take long-term
- Skip during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Can interact with stimulants and heart medications
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Areca seed comes from the betel palm, native to South and Southeast Asia. Daily chewing as betel nut has been a regional habit for thousands of years and is now classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the WHO due to a strong link with oral cancer. The medicinal TCM use is entirely different: small, short-term doses targeting parasites or food stagnation. Three modern reviews have explored areca's role in metabolic and parasitic conditions, though research is limited.