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Cura x Cura

Jiang Can僵蚕

Bombyx Batryticatus · Stiff Silkworm · Batryticated Silkworm

Herbs that Pacify the Liver and Extinguish Wind 平肝息风药《神农本草经》

Overview

Silkworm larvae that died of a Beauveria fungal infection and stiffened; dried, they become one of the standard wind-extinguishing medicinals. Salty, acrid and neutral, Jiang Can settles internal wind causing spasm and convulsion, disperses external wind-heat behind headache, sore throat, red eyes and itching rash, and dissolves phlegm nodules such as scrofula. It is lighter and more dispersing than the mineral and animal wind herbs it is usually prescribed alongside.

Nature & Flavor

Salty, acrid · Neutral

Channels

Liver · Lung · Stomach

Typical Dosage

5–9 g in decoction
僵蚕Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Extinguishes wind, stops spasmConvulsions and twitching, childhood convulsive disorders, facial paralysis and tics attributed to internal wind with phlegm.
  • Dispels wind, relieves pain and itchingWind-heat headache, red eyes, sore swollen throat with hoarseness, itchy wind rash and urticaria.
  • Transforms phlegm, dissipates nodulesScrofula, phlegm nodules and lumps beneath the skin.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Jiang Can

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Convulsions, twitching and facial paralysis
    - Wind-heat headache, red eyes, sore throat, hoarseness
    - Itchy wind rash and urticaria
    - Scrofula and phlegm nodules

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

UrticariaPharyngitisFacial palsySeizure disorders

Contraindications

Cautions

An insect-derived medicinal: patients with a known sensitivity to insect or silk proteins should be assessed before it is dispensed, and any rash or breathing symptom after a dose should stop treatment. It disperses rather than tonifies, so it is unsuitable for wind arising from blood deficiency, or for convulsion in a depleted patient without accompanying heat or phlegm. Convulsions and facial paralysis need a medical diagnosis alongside herbal care.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Take in pregnancy only under practitioner supervision — a dispersing, wind-moving medicinal with no established safety record in pregnancy.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

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.