Da Fu Pi (大腹皮) — Areca Peel
Da Fu Pi is the pericarp of the betel palm (Areca catechu), used in Chinese medicine for Damp abdominal fullness and oedema. Unlike its cousin Bing Lang, it is not anti-parasitic; its role is Qi-regulating and Damp-transforming.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Da Fu Pi (大腹皮) — Areca Peel (Areca catechu (pericarp)) — is a Chinese herb in the Regulate Qi category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Da Fu Pi |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 大腹皮 |
| Latin name | Areca catechu (pericarp) |
| English name | Areca Peel |
| Nature | Slightly warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels entered | Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine |
| Category | Regulate Qi |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Regulates Qi and reduces abdominal fullness
- Promotes urination and reduces oedema
Indications
- Damp abdominal fullness with belching
- Damp-related oedema
- Constipation with abdominal fullness
- Damp accumulation in pregnancy (with practitioner supervision)
4. Dosage
3–9g
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Reduce dose in weak patients
- Not for Qi deficiency without other support
6. Key formulas
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Da Fu Pi where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
