Dà Fù Pí (大腹皮), known in English as Areca peel (Areca catechu (pericarp)), is a warm, acrid Chinese herb from the Regulate qi category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels. Its main action: promotes qi movement, reduces distension.
| Pinyin | Dà Fù Pí (Da Fu Pi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 大腹皮 |
| English | Areca peel |
| Botanical name | Areca catechu (pericarp) |
| Category | Regulate qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine |
| Dosage | 4.5–9g |
| Cautions | Qi deficiency without stagnation; pregnancy |
Actions
- Promotes qi movement, reduces distension
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema
Indications
- Damp obstructing qi with abdominal distension
- Oedema
- Beriberi
How to remember Dà Fù Pí
Regulate qi herbs are mostly warm or hot, acrid and bitter, and most enter the Spleen and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid, Spleen and Stomach channels: like most Regulate qi herbs
- Small Intestine channel: from its action “Promotes urination”
- Learn by heart
- Large Intestine channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Regulate qi herbs
- Chén Pí
- Zhǐ Shí
- Mù Xiāng
- Xiāng Fù
- Chén Xiāng
- Qīng Pí
- Fó Shǒu
- Chuān Liàn Zǐ
- Lì Zhī Hé
- Wū Yào
- Zhǐ Ké
- Jú Hóng
- Xiè Bái
- Tán Xiāng
- Méi Guī Huā
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Dà Fù Pí?
Dà Fù Pí is warm and acrid.
Which channels does Dà Fù Pí enter?
Dà Fù Pí enters the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Dà Fù Pí?
Promotes qi movement, reduces distension; Promotes urination, reduces oedema.
What is Dà Fù Pí used for?
Damp obstructing qi with abdominal distension; oedema; beriberi.
Practise Dà Fù Pí 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.