The source is from the larva of Bombyx mori L. (silkworm) before its spinning of silk infected by Beauveria (Bals.) Vuill. The medicinal material is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Sichuan, etc.. The crude or stir-baked one is used for medication. Medicinal Properties Salty and pungent in flavor, mild in nature, and attributive to the liver, and lung meridians. Actions Stop endogenous wind to relieve convulsion, expel wind and relieve pain, eliminate mass by detoxification. Application 1. It is applied for convulsion due to liver-wind stirring inside, or for that induced by hyperstagnation of phlegm-heat. It is usually used together with Quanxie (Scorpio), Tianma ( Rhizoma Gastrodiae ) and Dannanxing (Arisaema cure Bile), such as Qianzheng San (Powder). In the case with chronic diarrhea or chronic infantile convulsion due to deficiency of the spleen, it should be used together with Dangshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae ) , Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) and Tianma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae), etc.; for apoplexy with distortion of the face, used together with Quanxie (Scorpio), Baifuzi (Rhizoma Typhonii). 2. It is applied for upper attack of wind-heat or liver-heat manifested as headache, reddish eyes, or sore throat. In the case with headache due to wind-heat or epiphora induced by wind, it is used together with Sangye (Folium Mori ), Muzei ( Herba Equiseti Hiemalis ), etc., such as Baijiangcan San (Powder) ; for sore throat or hoarse voice, it can be combined with Jiegeng (Radix Platycodi), Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) and Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae ). 3. It is applied for subcutaneous nodule and scrofula, or syndrome with furuncle and erysipelas, it is usually combined with Zhebeimu (Butbus Fritillariae Thunbergii), Xiakucao ( Spica Prunetlae ) and Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae) , etc.. In addition, It has the action of expelling wind and relieving itching, so it can be used for itching due to rubella. Usage and Dosage 5 - 15 g is used in decoction for oral use, 10 - 20 g of the fresh is used and 1 - 2 g of the powder for drinking.
