Properties: Pungent, warm, toxic
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Extinguishes Wind and stops spasms and convulsions
Liver Wind with acute and chronic childhood convulsions, opisthotonis, lockjaw and seizures Facial paralysis due to Wind
- Attacks and relieves Fire toxins, relieves abdominal masses and dissipates nodules
Toxic nodules including sores, carbuncles and neck lumps Chuang Yung (topical)
Cancer
Snake bites
Internally for Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
- Unblocks the collaterals and stops pain
Stubborn headaches including migraines Bipain
Suggested Daily Dosage: 1-3g in decoction.
Cautions: It is toxic, so it should not be used in large dose. It is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Animal products are prohibited from use in the UK under the Medicines Act 1968 ch. 67 which restricts herbalists to the use of plant products only. It is generally substituted with Gou Teng and Tian Nan Xing.
Notes: The Centipede Pearl (蜈蚣珠) is a small red bead said to be formed on the head or tail of a centipede and carries great power in magical circles. As well as attracting luck, especially in money and gambling, it is able to counter harmful snake and dragon energy. Usually kept in a glass vial for this purpose.
Appears in 2 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.