White-Stiff Silkworm (Bai Jiang Can)

白殭蠶

White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan)

Pharmaceutical Name: Bombyx Batryticatus

Zoological Name: Bombyx mori L.

Common Name: White-stiff silkworm

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used: The silkworm, dead and stiffened due to the infection of beavveria bassiana, is dried in the sun.

Natural Properties & Taste: Salty, pungent and neutral

Meridians: Liver and lung

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To subdue endogenous wind and stop spasms.
2. To expel wind and stop pain.

3. To dispel toxins and disperse nodules.

Indications:
1. Convulsions due to high fever and epileptic spasms. White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan) is used with Gastrodia tuber (Tianma), Arisaema tuber with bile (Dannanxing) and Ox gallstone (Niuhuang) in the formula Qianjin San.

2. Chronic convulsions with prolonged diarrhea due to deficiency of the spleen. White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan) is used with Pilose asiabell root (Dangshen), White atractylodes (Baizhu) and Gastrodia tuber (Tianma).

3. Windstroke manifested as deviation of eyes and mouth or facial spasms. White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan) is used with Scorpion (Quanxie) and Typhonium tuber (Baifuzi) in the formula Qianzhen San.

4. Wind-heat headache and lacrimation from exposure to wind. White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan) is used with Schizonepeta (Jingjie), Mulberry leaf (Sangye) and Shave grass (Muzei) in the formula Baijiangcan San.

5. Wind-heat sore throat. White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan) is used with Platycodon root (Jiegeng), Ledebouriella (Fangfeng) and Licorice root (Gancao).

6. Rubella and itching. White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan) is used with Cicada slough (Chantui) and Mentha (Bohe).

7. Scrofula. White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan) is used with Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu) and Prunella spike (Xiakucao).

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: The raw substance is used for wind-heat syndrome, the fried substance for other applications.