Centipedes are found throughout the country and are mostly captured in summer and autumn. After scalding with boiling water, they are stretched straight with thin bamboo strips and dried in the sun. In the past, the head and feet were often removed for medicinal use, but nowadays they are left intact, as this enhances their efficacy. They are commonly used raw or roasted and ground into powder.
I. Efficacy of Centipede:
Centipede has a pungent taste, slightly warm in nature; it is toxic. It belongs to the liver meridian. Its effects includeCalming Wind to Stop Convulsions, Detoxifying and Resolving Masses, Unblocking Collaterals to Relieve PainIts characteristics include strong ability to unblock collaterals and high toxicity, often used in combination with scorpion.
Commonly used forInternal stirring of liver wind, spasm and convulsion, infantile convulsion, hemiplegia due to stroke, deviation of the mouth and eye. Tetanus, stubborn wind-dampness impediment, migraine and headache, sores and scrofula, snake and insect bitestreatment of conditions such as
Summary of Famous Works by Renowned Authors:
Bie Lu: "Treats cold and heat in the heart and abdomen, accumulations, induces abortion, removes stagnant blood."
"Compendium of Materia Medica": "Treats infantile convulsions, wind-induced convulsions and umbilical wind, lockjaw and erysipelas, alopecia and scrofula, venereal sores and hemorrhoids, snake miasma, and snake bites."
Medical Forest Gleanings: "Enters the liver to dispel wind, enters the heart to dissipate stasis, reaches the meridians and collaterals, and removes toxins to kill parasites."
Jade Qiao's Medicinal Explanation: "Inducing abortion and breaking accumulations, drawing out pus and reducing swelling. Treats scrofula, hemorrhoids and fistulas, bald sores, and syphilitic sores; heals snake accumulations, snake bites, toxic miasma, and snake gu poison."
Ben Cao Bei Yao: Enters the Jueyin Liver Meridian. Excels at moving and dispersing, treats umbilical wind and puckered mouth, convulsive epilepsy and scrofula, snake-like masses and nail sores. Kills parasites, induces abortion.
II. Compatibility and Application of Centipede:
1. Used for acute and chronic convulsions, tetanus, facial paralysis, and other conditions involving spasms and convulsions. Centipede functions to calm wind and stop convulsions, similar to scorpion, so these two herbs are often used together in combination, namelySpasm-Relieving PowderTo treat convulsions of the limbs and opisthotonos, centipedes and scorpions can be used in equal amounts, ground into powder and taken orally. For frequent epileptic seizures or high fever-induced convulsions in children, adding these two drugs to a syndrome-differentiated prescription often yields excellent results.
If treating infantile mouth puckering, hand and foot convulsions, it is often combined with scorpion, uncaria, silkworm, etc., ground into powder and taken.Cuofeng Powder。
For the treatment of facial paralysis and deviation of the mouth and eyes in the early stages, it is often combined with herbs such as Fangfeng, Jiangcan, and Zhibaifuzi for reference.
Some physicians add centipedes to the Buyang Huanwu Decoction to treat peripheral facial paralysis, with the first decoction taken orally and the second decoction applied warm as a compress, achieving significant therapeutic effects, which is worth learning.
Zhang Xichun said, "Centipedes are particularly effective in dispelling wind. Internally, they treat stirring of liver wind, epilepsy, dizziness, convulsions, spasms, and infantile umbilical wind. Externally, they treat wind stroke in the meridians, facial paralysis, and numbness of the hands and feet."
2. For sores, ulcers, swollen toxins, scrofula, ulcerated sores, and similar conditions. Centipede has a strong effect in detoxifying and dispersing nodules. To treat swollen toxins and malignant sores, it is often combined with realgar, ground into powder, and applied externally, namelyBu Er San。
If treating scrofula with ulceration, it can be ground into fine powder with tea leaves for external application.
To treat corns, you can use centipedes that are baked and ground into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply externally to the corn area. Secure with adhesive tape and leave it on overnight. Remove it the next morning, and the corn will appear black. After about six or seven days, the corn will fall off on its own.
Centipedes are also effective in treating herpes zoster. A proven formula: 3 centipedes (stir-fried and ground), 20 grams of realgar, 4 grams of borneol, 5 grams of Yunnan Baiyao, and 5 grams of indigo naturalis. Grind all the above ingredients into a fine powder, mix with sesame oil, apply to the affected area, secure with gauze, and change the dressing once daily. Generally, recovery can be achieved within a few days.
For the treatment of mastitis, it can be combined with scorpion, roasted and ground into powder, taken with yellow wine, which has the effect of drawing out toxins and promoting healing.
If treating rhinitis or nasal polyps, adding centipede to the syndrome differentiation formula can significantly enhance therapeutic efficacy.
In addition, centipedes are also effective in detoxifying snake venom and serve as the main ingredient in many proven snakebite remedies. They are often ground into powder for consumption, with specific dosages tailored to the condition, often yielding significant results.
Zhang Xichun said, "Centipedes have a mild toxicity, yet they are adept at detoxification, capable of dissolving all kinds of sores and various toxins. Because their nature can subdue snakes, they also treat snake-related disorders and snake bite poisoning. Applied externally, they treat corns (commonly known as chicken eyes)."
3. For intractable headache, rheumatic arthralgia, cancer pain, and other syndromes. Centipede has a strong effect in unblocking collaterals and relieving pain, and is often combined with scorpion. For treating intractable headache and arthralgia, it is often combined with gastrodia, silkworm, and chuanxiong.
For treating rheumatoid arthritis, it is often combined with earthworm, Bungarus multicinctus, processed Sichuan aconite, processed wild aconite, ground beetle, common clubmoss herb, Chinese clematis root, frankincense, myrrh, etc., namelyCentipede Dragon Snake SoupThe medicinal potency is potent and can be used for reference.
For the treatment of vascular neurogenic headache, it is often combined with silkworm, silkworm pupa, leech, scorpion, and black-tailed snake in varying proportions, ground into powder and taken together.Five Insect Formula。
For the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, it is often combined with Asarum, Panax notoginseng, Achyranthes bidentata, Schizonepeta tenuifolia, and licorice. Decoct in water and take warm, often yielding good results.Centipede and Asarum Decoction。
Centipedes also have the function of invigorating and strengthening, and can treat impotence. If combined with Angelica sinensis and white peony root, ground into powder and taken together, it isKang Wei LingIt can also be combined with other kidney-tonifying and waist-strengthening formulas to enhance their therapeutic effects.
Zhang Xichun said, "The centipede possesses the swiftest dispersing and moving power. Internally, it can reach the organs and viscera; externally, it can affect the meridians and collaterals. Wherever qi and blood are congested, it can open them up."
III. Usage and Dosage of Centipede:
Centipedes can be used in decoctions, but are more suitable for roasting, grinding, and swallowing. For decoctions, a few grams are commonly used, typically 2 to 4 pieces; for grinding and swallowing, a little over a gram per dose is recommended. For external use, apply an appropriate amount.
Centipedes are often used in combination with scorpions, but there are differences between the two that need to be distinguished.
Yun Tieqiao said, "Among insect medicines, the centipede is the most potent, while the scorpion is the mildest. For wind conditions that cannot be controlled by using the whole scorpion or scorpion tail, the centipede can always achieve control; however, there are appropriate and inappropriate uses. For convulsions with lockjaw, which are the most severe, the centipede is essential for effectiveness; for ordinary convulsions, the scorpion is sufficient, and the centipede is not suitable."
Zhang Xichun said, "When using it, it is advisable to include the head and feet; removing them will reduce its potency. Moreover, its nature is not highly toxic, so it is acceptable to use it in its entirety."
IV. Application Precautions for Centipedes:
Centipedes are toxic and have strong dispersing and penetrating properties, thusContraindicated for those with yin deficiency and blood dryness, and for pregnant women.。
Those with allergic constitution should use with caution or start with a small amount. If rash or skin itching occurs, discontinue use.
