Knowledge Base/Herbs/Stiff Silkworm
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平肝息风药（虫类药） · Liver-wind calming; animal drug

Stiff Silkworm jiāng cán · 僵蚕

Bombyx batryticatus (Bombyx mori larva colonised by Beauveria bassiana)

Nature and flavour. Salty, pungent; neutral; Liver and Lung systems.

The dried body of a silkworm larva that died after infection by the fungus Beauveria bassiana. In the classical literature it is grouped with the wind-calming animal drugs and described for convulsion, wind-related headache and for phlegm nodules. It is used processed, most often stir-fried with bran.

性味归经。咸、辛，平；归肝、肺经。

家蚕幼虫感染白僵菌致死后干燥的虫体。传统本草把它归入虫类息风药，记载用于惊痫、风热头痛以及痰核瘰疬一类。使用炮制品，多为麸炒。

Classical category · no formulas, no dosages, no herb-drug combinations are given.
Safety. An animal product, so allergy to insect or silk proteins is a real concern. Quality depends on how the material was fermented and dried: mouldy or insect-damaged material is not acceptable. Classical sources also note it as contraindicated where there is wind from blood deficiency rather than wind from excess. This is a prescription item, not a kitchen herb.

属动物药，对虫类或蚕丝蛋白过敏是真实风险。品质取决于发酵与干燥工艺，霉变、虫蛀品不可用。传统文献还记载血虚生风者不宜。这是处方用药，不是食材。

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Other Liver-wind calming; animal drug herbs

1 related entry.

Earthworm地龙

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