Bīng Láng (槟榔), known in English as Areca nut/Betel nut (Areca catechu), is a warm, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Expel parasites category. It enters the Stomach and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: kills and expels intestinal parasites.
| Pinyin | Bīng Láng (Bing Lang) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 槟榔 |
| English | Areca nut/Betel nut |
| Botanical name | Areca catechu |
| Category | Expel parasites |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Stomach, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 6–15g (60–120g for tapeworm) |
| Cautions | Spleen/Stomach deficiency; pregnancy; chronic use risk |
Actions
- Kills and expels intestinal parasites
- Promotes qi movement, reduces stagnation
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema (mild)
- Treats malarial disorders
Indications
- Tapeworm, roundworm, pinworm, hookworm
- Food and qi stagnation
- Oedema
- Malaria
How to remember Bīng Láng
Only 2 herbs in Expel parasites, so learn each one on its own.
- You can work these out
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Kills and expels intestinal parasites”
- Learn by heart
- Warm
- Acrid
- Bitter
- Stomach channel: nothing in its actions points to it
Formulas containing Bīng Láng
Other Expel parasites herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Bīng Láng?
Bīng Láng is warm and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Bīng Láng enter?
Bīng Láng enters the Stomach and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Bīng Láng?
Kills and expels intestinal parasites; Promotes qi movement, reduces stagnation; Promotes urination, reduces oedema (mild); Treats malarial disorders.
What is Bīng Láng used for?
Tapeworm, roundworm, pinworm, hookworm; food and qi stagnation; oedema; malaria.
Which formulas contain Bīng Láng?
Sháo Yào Tāng.
Practise Bīng Láng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.