Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Chan Tui蝉蜕

Cicadae Periostracum · Cicada Moulting · Cicada Slough

Herbs that Release the Exterior 解表药《名医别录》

Overview

The cast-off shell of the cicada — light, hollow and almost weightless, and used accordingly. Sweet and cold, entering the Lung and Liver channels, it disperses wind-heat at the very surface, vents rashes, calms itching, clears the eyes and settles wind that causes spasm. Its lightness is the point: it is the herb chosen for a hoarse voice, for an itchy rash that will not come out, and for restlessness and night crying in small children.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Cold

Channels

Lung · Liver

Typical Dosage

3–10 g in decoction
蝉蜕Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Disperses wind-heat, benefits the throatWind-heat colds with a sore throat and, characteristically, hoarseness or loss of voice.
  • Vents rashes, relieves itchingMeasles-type rashes that fail to express fully, and wind rashes and hives with intense itching.
  • Clears the eyes, removes superficial obstructionRed, painful, light-sensitive eyes and superficial visual obstruction arising from wind-heat.
  • Extinguishes wind, stops spasmChildhood convulsions and night crying, and twitching from wind stirring internally.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Chan Tui

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Wind-heat sore throat with hoarseness or loss of voice
    - Rashes that fail to vent; itchy hives
    - Red, light-sensitive eyes with blurred or obstructed vision
    - Restlessness, night crying and convulsions in children

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

UrticariaLaryngitisConjunctivitisMeaslesFebrile convulsions

Contraindications

Cautions

An insect-derived material: people with known allergy to shellfish, dust mites or insect proteins may react to it, and it should be stopped if a rash, wheeze or swelling follows a dose. Convulsions and febrile seizures in a child are a medical emergency — seek urgent care rather than relying on herbal treatment.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Traditionally avoided in pregnancy — use only if a practitioner judges it necessary.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. 《中华人民共和国药典》(Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. Chen & Chen. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.