Jiang Can – Silkworm – Bombyx Batryticatus

Jiang Can

English Name: body of sick silkworm (with batrytis)

Pharmaceutical Name: Bombyx Batryticatus

Medica Category: Liver-Calming and Wind-Extinguishing Herbs

Properties: Jiang Can enters the Liver and Lung channels; it is salty and acrid in nature ans neutral in temperature.

What is Jiang Can?:

The Chinese Herb Jiang Can is the larva of the domestic silk moth (Bombyx Mori L.) that has been infected by a common, naturally occurring soil fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.). This fungus kills the larvae, which are mixed thoroughly with lime and blotted dry. They are then either sun-dried or baked dry in an oven but otherwise left unprocessed for use as medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Jiang Can:

Jiang Can extinguishes internal Liver wind, dispels phlegm, and stops tremors and convulsions. Clinically, Jiang Can is most suitable for Liver wind with phlegm heat stagnation causing high fever, convulsions, and twitching in the face/facial paralysis.

Jiang Can dispels wind (both internal and externally contracted) and stops pain. It is used to alleviate such clinical symptoms as headache, red eyes, and sore, swollen throat (w/possible hoarseness/loss of voice).

Jiang Can eliminates toxins and dissipates nodules to treat scrofula, sores, swellings, erysipelas, mastitis, parotitis, and other nodules caused by accumulations of toxic phlegm-heat.

Jiang Can expels wind and stops itching in rashes or eczema due to (external) wind.