Earthworm (Dilong)
| Pharmaceutical Name: | Lumbricus |
| Botanical Name: | Pheretima aspergillum (Perrier) Allolobophora caliginosa (Savigny) trapizoides (Ant. Duges) |
| Common Name: | Earthworm |
| Source of Earliest Record: | Shennong Bencao Jing |
| art 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 |
| Meridian: | 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) |