Dilong Lumbricus
The source is from the dry body with the organs removed of Pheretima aspergillum (Perrier) or the whole body of Allolobophora caliginosa (Savigny) trapezoids (Ant. Duges), family Megascolecidae. The former sort is mainly seen in Guangdong and Guangxi, called Guangdilong, and the latter three kinds are seen everywhere, called Tudilong. They are caught in spring and summer, dried in the sun for use. The crude or fresh one can be used.
Medicinal Properties Salty in flavor, cold in nature, and attributive to the liver, spleen and bladder meridians.
Actions Clear away heat and stop endogenous wind, relieve asthma, dredge meridians and promote diuresis.
Application
1. It is applied for high fever with convulsion and spasm. For seasonal febrile disease manifested as coma, delirium, spasm and convulsion, it is usually used together with Gouteng( Ramulus Uncariae cure Uncis ) , Baijiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), and others with action of calming the liver and stop endogenous wind. In the case of epilepsy and depressive and manic syndromes, it can be mixed with salt for drinking.
2. It is applied for heat in the lung with bronchial asthma. It can be used singly or together with Mahuang (Herba Ephedrae ), Xingren ( Semen Pruni Armeniacae) and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum) ,etc., or made for acupoint-injection or muscular injection.
3. It is applied for Bi-syndrome of heat-type with reddish, swelling, feverish and painful joints, unsmooth movement of joints, and sequela of wind stroke. In the case of Bi-syndrome of heat-type, it is usually used together with Sangzhi ( Ramulus Mori ), Rendongteng ( Caulis Lonicerae ) and Chishaoyao ( Radix Paeoniae Rubra), etc.; in Bi-syndrome of cold-damp-type with stiffness of extremities, used with Chuanwu (Radix Aconiti) and Caowu ( Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii ); in the treatment of blocked meridians due to deficiency of qi and stagnation of the blood after apoplexy manifested as numbness of the extremities and hemiplegia, used with Huangqi (Radix Astragali ), Danggui ( Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Honghua (Flos Carthami), etc., such as Buyang Huanwu Tang (Decoction).
4. It is applied for heat-syndrome of the bladder with dysuria or retention of urine. In the case of dysuria, it is used together with Cheqianzi (Semen Plantaginis), Mutong (Caulis Akebia ), etc.; for retention of urine, smashed Dilong (Lumbricus) being soaked in water, from which the thick decoction is taken for oral use.
In addition, it is also effective for mumps, chronic ulcer of lower limbs, and burns with external application of its extract when live Dilong is put into sugar.
Usage and Dosage 5 - 9 g is used in decoction for oral use; 10 - 20 g of the fresh; or 1 - 2 g of the ground powder for drinking; external application with proper amount.
