Pharmaceutical Name:

Lumbricus

Zoological Name:

Pheretima aspergillum (Perrier)
Allolobophora caliginosa (Savigny) trapizoides (Ant. Duges)

Common Name:

Earthworm

Source of Earliest Record:

Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:

The earthworm is caught in summer or autumn. It is cleaned in warm water, and then dried in the sun.

Properties and Taste:

Salty and cold

Meridians:

Liver, spleen and urinary bladder

Functions:

To clear heat and subdue endogenous wind
To soothe asthma
To promote urination
To clear the collaterals

Indications and Combinations:

1.     Convulsions and spasms due to high fever.
*Use with Uncaria stem (Gouteng), White-stiff silkworm (Baijiangcan) and Scorpion (Quanxie).

2.     Damp-heat obstruction syndrome manifested as red, swollen, painful joints and motor impairment.
*Use with Mulberry twigs (Sangzhi), Honeysuckle stem (Rendongteng) and Red peony (Chishao).

3.     Wind-cold-damp obstruction syndrome manifested as cold, painful joints with motor impairment.
*Use with Wild aconite root (Caowu) and Arisaema tuber (Tiannanxing) in the formula Xiao Huolu Dan.

4.     Hemiplegia due to obstruction of meridians by qi deficiency and blood stagnation.
*Use with Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong) and Astragalus root (Huangqi) in the formula Buyang Huanwu Tang.

5.     Heat accumulated in the urinary bladder manifested as dysuria.
*Use with Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) and Clematis stem (Mutong).

6.     Asthma.
*Use with Ephedra (Mahuang) and Apricot seed (Xingren).

Dosage:

5-15 g (10-20 g if fresh)