大腹皮 Da Fu Pi / Pericarpium Arecae

植物的干燥果皮。

味辛，性微温。

归脾、胃、大肠、小肠经。

行气宽中，行水消肿。

用于湿阻气滞，脘腹胀闷，大便不爽，水肿胀满，脚气浮肿，小便不利。

1、用于治乌癞风疮：大腹子，生者或干者，连全皮勿伤动，以酒一升浸之，慢火熬干为末，腊猪脂和敷。（《圣济总录》）

2、用于治疗小儿风痰壅闭，语音不出，气促喘闷，手足动摇：诃子(半生半炮，去核)、大腹皮等分，水煎服，名二圣散。（《全幼心鉴》）

5～l0g。

气虚体弱者慎用。

1、大腹皮：除去杂质，洗净，切段，干燥。

2、大腹毛：除去杂质，洗净，干燥。

WHAT IS DA FU PI?:

The Chinese Herb Da Fu Pi is the dried husk or peel of the areca nut. The areca nut itself is the seed (encased in fruit) of the areca (or betel nut) palm tree (Areca catechu L.). The areca palm tree is thought to have originated in the Philippines but now is naturalized all over Southeast Asia and the Pacific; in China it predominantly grows in Guanxi, Yunnan, and Hainan provinces. The seeds are harvested from the fruit and then boiled in water and dried—then the peel (Da Fu Pi) is removed from the seed. The seed (minus the peel) is the Chinese herb Bing Lang.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS OF DA FU PI:

Da Fu Pi regulates qi and directs its flow downward to address qi stagnation with/from accumulated dampness. It treats bloating and distention of the abdomen and epigastric region when accompanied by feelings of incomplete evacuation after defecation.

Da Fu Pi promotes diuresis to reduce the accumulation of water (i.e. addresses edema and leg qi)

–safety notes:

Use with caution during pregnancy

This herb may exacerbate the extrapyramidal effects of neuroleptic drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril) and haloperidol (Haldol) when used concurrently.