Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Semen Arecae |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 檳榔 · Bing Lang |
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| Medicinal Part | Fruits and seeds |
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| Efficacy Category | Anthelmintic |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried mature seed of Areca catechu L. (Arecaceae) |
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| Nature & Flavour | Bitter, Acrid; Warm |
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| Channels Entered | Stomach, Large Intestine |
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What Is Bing Lang?
Bing Lang (Areca Seed) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in Chinese provinces of Hainan, Yunnan, Guangdong, Fujian.
Nature & Flavour: Bitter, Acrid; Warm
Channels Entered: Stomach, Large Intestine
Bing Lang: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Semen Arecae
Botanical Origin
The dried mature seed of Areca catechu L. (Arecaceae)
Production Regions
Primarily produced in Chinese provinces of Hainan, Yunnan, Guangdong, Fujian.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is large, firm, heavy, unbroken.
Macroscopic Features
Flat spherical or conical, 1.5~3cm tall, 2~3cm diameter of base; externally pale yellowish-brown or yellowish-brown, rough with pale color, reticular indented lines and some with silver spotted inner fruit skin. Center of the base has an indented hollow micropyle, surrounded with pale scar-like hilum. Hard texture, longitudinal cut surface has brown seed coat curved inward on the edge, crossed with milky white endosperm forming marble-like markings. Base micropyle has small embryo at inner side, brown, dry, without wrinkles. faint odor; taste astringent and slightly bitter.
Traditional TCM Properties
Bitter, Acrid; WarmStomachLarge Intestine
Traditional Functions
Kills worms, disperses accumulations, downbears qi, moves water, interrupts malaria. Worm stasis, food stasis, abdominal swelling pain, tenesmus, beriberi, edema, malaria.
Classical Formulas Containing Bing Lang
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bing Lang? Are Da Fu Pi and chewed betel quid the same?
Official Bing Lang (槟榔) is the dried ripe seed of Areca catechu. The pharmacopoeial name is Arecae Semen. Da Fu Pi is the dried pericarp of the same plant: acrid and slightly warm, directs qi downward, eases the Middle, moves water and disperses swelling—it does not kill worms. Chewing fresh fruit with piper leaf and lime is a lifestyle habit, not equal-weight pharmacopoeial seed in a decoction. Write Bing Lang, dry-fried Bing Lang or scorch-fried Bing Lang. Forbidden in qi vacuity with sinking.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Bing Lang?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Bing Lang is bitter, acrid and warm, enters the Stomach and Large Intestine channels, and acts to kill worms, disperse accumulation, move qi, promote urination and check malaria. It is used for tapeworm, roundworm and fasciolopsis, worm-accumulation abdominal pain, accumulation diarrhea and dysentery with tenesmus, edema and beriberi, and malaria. Bitter-draining, acrid-dispersing and warm-unblocking, it suits worm accumulation with qi stagnation and edema—not long use in qi vacuity with sinking.
How do you choose raw, dry-fried and scorch-fried Bing Lang? Can Da Fu Pi replace it?
Killing worms and moving qi more often use the raw seed—fierce. Dispersing accumulation with a milder descent more often uses dry-fried Bing Lang. Scorch-fried Bing Lang is milder still, favoring accumulation diarrhea. Da Fu Pi directs qi downward, eases the Middle, moves water and disperses swelling; it cannot replace killing worms and checking malaria by equal weight. Expelling tapeworm needs a practitioner to name a large raw dose; do not double it yourself.
Learn More About Bing Lang
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Bing Lang.
Read the Bing Lang Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
