Areca Seed

Detailed Product Description

Areca seed is contained in the dried ripe fruit of the areca catechu, a tree that belongs to the palm family and is found in most of the world's tropical regions.

 In China, areca seed is produced mainly in the Hainan, Fujian, Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. Externally, areca seed is yellowish-brown or reddish-brown in color, with marble-like striations on its surface. The seeds are harvested from the fruit after being boiled in water and dried, and the peel removed from the seed. The properties of areca seed will be discussed in this article. Areca peel is used for different conditions, and is discussed elsewhere.

According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, areca seed has pungent, bitter and warm properties, and is associated with the Large Intestine and Stomach meridians. Its main functions are to kill intestinal parasites (such as tapeworms, pinworms and round worms), move qi, reduce stagnation, and promote urination. It treats a variety of conditions, such as abdominal distention, constipation, diarrhea, malaria, and intestinal problems. In veterinary medicine, an extract of areca seed is used to treat tapeworms in dogs and cattle, and to treat intestinal problems in horses.