Betel Nut (conical, yellowish-brown, with a flat, slightly concave base, hard, heavy, and not easily broken)
Betel Nut slices (patterned slices) (brown and white marble pattern, Betel Nut pattern)
Charred Betel Nut
【Naming】
【Source】
Recorded in the “Supplemental Records of Famous Physicians” as a mid-grade herb
【Common Usage Level】
A
【Botanical Origin】
Dried, mature seeds of the Betel Nut palm, Areca catechu L., of the Palm family.
【Characteristics】
Conical or oblate spherical in shape, 1.5~3㎝ high, 2~3㎝ in diameter at the base. Surface is light yellowish-brown or yellowish-brown, rough, with lighter-colored reticular grooves. The center of the base has a circular concave hilum, next to which is a light-colored scar-like raphe. It has a hard and solid texture.
Processed slices: longitudinal sections show the brown seed coat at the outer edge folding inward, alternating with the milky white endosperm to form a marble-like pattern. The inner side of the basal hilum has a small embryo, often brown, dry, shriveled, and inconspicuous. It has no odor, and tastes astringent and slightly bitter.
【Preparation】
1. Betel Nut 2. Stir-fried Betel Nut 3. Charred Betel Nut
【Identification】
“Illustrated Materia Medica” states: “Only take those that are shaped like a chicken heart, sit upright and stable, and are not hollow inside. The best are those that break into a brocade pattern.” “Classified Materia Medica” states: “Those with pointed leaves are superior.” “Prescriptions for Universal Relief” states: “Two taels of Betel Nut are best when they are shaped like a chicken heart.” “Handbook of Benevolent Arts” states: “Betel Nut that is white and firm is good.” “Forbidden Prescriptions of the Prince of Lu’s Mansion” states: “Betel Nut (the solid ones are best).” “Annotations on Materia Medica by Cheng Ya-pan” states: “Lei Gong says: ‘Raw use is best’.” “Essentials of Materia Medica” states: “Chicken-heart shaped, pointed, and those that wrinkle into a brocade pattern are good.”
The best are those that are large, heavy, firm, unbroken, and free from insect infestation. The best processed slices are those with bright color, while those with dark color are secondary.
【Identification Terminology】
1. Betel Nut pattern, Marble pattern: The pattern of alternating red and white on the cut surface of Betel Nut and Nutmeg is formed by the reddish-brown outer perisperm (Betel Nut including part of the seed coat) extending into the milky white inner endosperm and interlacing. The cross-section is similar to a marble pattern.
【Section】
Seed Category