Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Pericarpium Arecae |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 大腹皮 · Da Fu Pi |
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| Medicinal Part | Fruits and seeds |
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| Efficacy Category | Qi-regulating |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried pericarp of Areca catechu L. (Arecaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Slightly warm |
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| Channels Entered | Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine |
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What Is Da Fu Pi?
Da Fu Pi (Areca Peel / Betel Husk) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Fujian, Taiwan, Hainan.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Slightly warm
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine
Da Fu Pi: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Pericarpium Arecae
Botanical Origin
The dried pericarp of Areca catechu L. (Arecaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Fujian, Taiwan, Hainan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is yellowish-white, pliable, without foreign matter.
Macroscopic Features
Slightly oval or long egg-shaped, 4~7cm long, 2~3.5cm wide, 0.2~0.5cm thick. Exocarp is dark brown to black, with irregular longitudinal wrinkles and bulging horizontal lines, with remnants of style on the apex, with fruit stem and remnants of calyx on the base. Endocarp is indented, brown or dark brown, smooth shell-like. Light, hard; a fibrous mesocarp can be seen after tearing longitudinally. faint odor; slightly astringent.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; Slightly warmSpleenStomachLarge IntestineSmall Intestine
Traditional Functions
Downbears qi, expands the center, moves water, disperses swelling. Modern research has found this medicinal material can excite intestinal smooth muscle, promote intestinal movement, and promotes the breakdown of fiber and protein.
Classical Formulas Containing Da Fu Pi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Da Fu Pi? Are Bing Lang, Da Fu Mao and Chen Pi the same?
Official Da Fu Pi (大腹皮) is the dried pericarp of Areca catechu. The pharmacopoeial name is Arecae Pericarpium. Peel from unripe fruit is called Da Fu Pi; loosened dried peel from ripe fruit is Da Fu Mao. Bing Lang is the seed: breaks qi, reduces accumulation, kills parasites and moves water—fiercer. Chen Pi is tangerine peel: regulates qi, strengthens Spleen, dries damp and transforms phlegm. Write Da Fu Pi. It is not chewed betel nut or kitchen husk. Use caution in qi vacuity and bodily weakness.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Da Fu Pi?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Da Fu Pi is acrid and slightly warm, enters the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels, and acts to move qi and expand the middle, move water and disperse swelling. It is used for damp obstructing qi movement, epigastric-abdominal distention and oppression, ungratifying stool, edema with distention and fullness, beriberi swelling and inhibited urination. Acrid and downbearing more gently than the seed, it suits damp obstruction with qi stagnation and fullness—not qi-vacuity sinking without excess distention.
How do you choose Da Fu Pi versus Da Fu Mao and Bing Lang?
Epigastric-abdominal fullness, edema and inhibited urination more often use Da Fu Pi or Da Fu Mao—gentler, moving formless qi and water. Bing Lang breaks qi, kills parasites, reduces accumulation and conducts stagnation more fiercely—food and worm accumulation with excess constipation and bloating. They are not interchangeable by equal weight. Do not treat a betel-chewing habit as “moving qi and dispersing swelling.”
Learn More About Da Fu Pi
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Da Fu Pi.
Read the Da Fu Pi 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.
