Library

[Toxic, Herbaceous Origin]
Shican (Stone Silkworm): Mainly treats five types of strangury (difficulty or pain in urination), breaks up calculous strangury, and induces abortion. ○ The flesh resolves stagnant qi, promotes the flow of water passages, and clears heat. (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Name]: Shashi (Sand Leech).
[Origin]: *Bencao Tujing* records: Grows on stones in ponds and marshes in the Jianghan region. It resembles a silkworm, is a creature born of vital energy, similar to oysters and clams in the sea that attach to stones, cannot move, and are living organisms. It is also found in waters and among stones everywhere. People collect it as bait for fishhooks. Currently, the most abundant production is at Shimen in Mahu, where locals also enjoy eating it. On the mountains and rocks of Fuzhou and Xinzhou, there is a type of herb with green shoots year-round and distinct nodes; its root is also called Shican. In March, the roots are harvested, baked dry, and mainly treat migratory wind pathogens (wind pathogen wandering不定ly), disperses blood stasis, and relieves pain. Its nodes can also be used alone, crushed, sifted into powder, and taken with warm wine.
*Bencao Yanyi* records: The herbaceous root resembling a silkworm and named Shican is a different species. To call the one growing on stones in water "herb" would be incorrect. The classic text states "the flesh resolves stagnant qi," which clarifies this matter. This organism is found everywhere, attaching to stones in water, forming cocoons like the shaft of a hairpin, about one cun long, to cover its body. Its color is like mud, and the silkworm is inside. This is what is referred to as Shican.

[Seasonality]
[Growth]: Grows at any time.
[Harvest]: Can be harvested at any time.
[Color]: Grayish-brown.
[Taste]: Salty.
[Nature]: Cold.
[Qi and Flavor]: Thin Qi, strong Flavor, Yin.
[Odor]: Fishy.

[Non-toxic, Oviparous Origin]
Queweng (Sparrow's Urn): Mainly treats infantile convulsions and epilepsy, alternating cold and fever, stagnant qi, gu poison, and guizhu (a contagious wasting disease). (From *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Name]: Tianjiangzi, Qier Fanweng (Same meaning/sound as Hao), Maochong Jigangzi, Hao (pronounced 'qi li' cut), Chong (pronounced 'ran'), (pronounced 'xin'), Zaoshe, Queyong.
[Origin]: *Bencao Tujing* records: Queweng fang (house), grows on tree branches in Hanzhong, now found everywhere. Hao chong, also called Maochong, prefers to grow on pomegranate trees. It resembles a silkworm but is shorter, has five-colored spotted spines on its back, and is toxic if it stings humans. When nearing maturity, it exudes white fluid from its mouth, which condenses and hardens gradually, just like a sparrow egg, hence the name. It is also called Queyong; "Yong" sounds similar to "Weng." The larvae inside the urn pupate like silkworms in cocoons, eventually emerging as moths that lay eggs on branches and leaves, hatching into worms again. Another theory is that sparrows like to eat the larvae inside the urn, hence the common name Qier Fanweng. Old annotations claiming the urn is the insect's egg are incorrect.
[Seasonality]
[Growth]: Grows at any time.
[Harvest]: Harvest in August.
[Medicinal Part]: Nest/Cocoon.
[Texture]: Similar to sparrow eggs but smaller.
[Color]: Purple-white with spots.
[Taste]: Sweet.
[Nature]: Neutral.
[Qi and Flavor]: Stronger Qi than Flavor, Yang within Yin.
[Odor]: Fishy.
[Indication]: Infantile convulsions and epilepsy.
[Processing]: Steamed or crushed for juice extraction.
[Treatment]: Chen Cangqi stated: For treating infantile lockjaw (cuokou), first peel/break the skin around the infant's mouth until bleeding occurs, then crush the Queweng, extract the juice, and apply it. Also, giving it to normal infants can prevent disease.
[Formula Combination]: Tianjiangzi containing insects, combined with Baijiangcan (White Stiff Silkworm) and Ganxie (Dried Scorpion), three items each, three pieces per item. Lightly stir-fried, pounded, and sieved into powder. Mixed with Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) decoction and administered orally (one qianbi dose). Treats infantile slow convulsion. Administered three times daily, adjusted according to the child's age/size. Highly effective. ○ Combined with Shufu (Woodlouse), crushed fresh for juice application to the sides of an infant's mouth with lockjaw who cannot suckle milk.