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Bombyx Batryticatus (Yuan Can E)

The male has slight toxicity. It primarily tonifies essence and qi, strengthens the sexual function, prevents fatigue during intercourse, and also stops seminal emission.
Minister Yuxi et al., according to *General Medicines for Impotence*, state: Yuan Can E is hot in nature. The Shu edition states: Yuan Can E is salty in flavor and warm in nature.
Can Sha (Silkworm Excrement): Warm in nature, non-toxic. It treats intestinal borborygmus, thirst due to heat in the middle jiao, wind-bi, and urticaria.
Tao Hongjing says: Yuan Can refers to silkworms raised for a second time, commonly called Wei Can in folklore. Daoists use its moth to stop seminal emission, and its male cocoon is used mixed with Atractylodis Rhizoma (Baizhu). Can Sha, named Can Sha, is widely used in various prescriptions; it is not only used for moxibustion-like warming therapy against wind. Current research indicates: Chen Cangqi's *Bencao* states: Yuan Can Shi, also known as Can Sha, should be collected cleanly, dried in the sun, stir-fried until yellow, placed in a bag, and soaked in wine to dispel wind, relieve joint stiffness, skin numbness and bi-syndrome, internal cold accumulation, cold blood stasis, and cold pain in the lower back and legs. Stir-fried until hot and placed in a bag for hot compress, it treats hemiplegia, flaccidity of sinews and bones, inability to move hands and feet, weakness of lower back and legs, and stubborn skin bi-syndrome. Minister Yuxi et al., according to *Rihua Zi Bencao*, state: Wan Can E (Late Silkworm Moth) enhances yang function, stops seminal leakage, treats hematuria, and warms the Kidney (Shui Zang). Furthermore, Can E is neutral in nature. It treats sudden wind invasion, metal wounds, frostbite, scalds, burns, and eliminates scar tissue; it should be stir-fried before medicinal use. It also states: Can Bu Zhi (Paper made from silkworm cast skins) is neutral. It treats hematemesis, epistaxis, intestinal wind with bloody diarrhea, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, dysentery with red and white discharge, and external application for carbuncles and sores; it should be charred before medicinal use. It further states: Can Sha treats wind-bi stubborn diseases causing anesthesia/numbness and intestinal borborygmus.
*Tujing Bencao* states: Yuan Can E is not recorded in the *Shennong Bencao Jing* regarding its origin. Currently, many prefectures in the southeast raise this type of silkworm, and it is found everywhere. This is the second-generation silkworm, commonly called Wan Can. People in the north rarely raise them anymore because they dislike that it damages mulberry trees. The *Rites of Zhou* prohibits raising Yuan Can; Zheng Kangcheng's annotation states: Because it harms horses; harming horses is just one aspect. *Huainanzi* states: Yuan Can yields twice a year, which is not without benefit. However, royal laws prohibit it because it destroys mulberry trees. Since people rarely raise them now, those sold in markets are often early moths, which cannot be used. As for using Can Sha and Can Tui (silkworm cast skins), one must use those from late-raised silkworms. Only Bai Jiang Can (White Stiff Silkworm) does not distinguish between early and late; one simply uses those that are white and straight. Whenever using silkworms, one must use those fed on mulberry leaves, not those fed on Broussonetia papyrifera (Zhe) leaves. Can E is frequently used in formulas for tonifying Yang.
Current Prescriptions: To treat neonatal lockjaw (Cuo Kou) and trismus (Fa Jin), take two moths, stir-fry until yellow, grind into powder, mix with honey, and apply to the inner lips; the condition will resolve. Can Sha and Can Tui are both included in prescriptions treating wind syndromes and women's diseases. Can Tui, physicians mostly use the membrane left on paper when the silkworm first emerges from its shell. Another theory suggests the skin shed during the silkworm's sleep is more effective.
*Shenghui Fang*: To treat generalized pruritus and eczema caused by wind-itch. Use one sheng of Can Sha, boil in two dou of water until reduced to one dou two sheng, remove dregs, and wash with the liquid at a comfortable warm temperature. Avoid wind.
*Qianjin Fang*: Method for pregnant women who wish to change the sex of the fetus upon feeling pregnancy: Take one unit of Yuan Can Shi, swallow with well-water (Jing Hua Shui), three times daily.
(Blood generates flesh.) Tian E San: Grind Wan Can E into powder, sprinkle evenly onto silk gauze, wrap, and apply; wounds close instantly and bleeding stops. It also treats all types of metal wounds.
*Jianyao Jizhong Fang*: Prescription for neonatal lockjaw and trismus: Two Wan Can E moths, stir-fry until yellow, grind into powder, mix with honey, and apply to the infant's inner lips.
*Zimu Milu* states: For difficult labor due to breech presentation. Char Yuan Can Zi (silkworm eggs) into powder, take three qian with water.
*Xiao'er Gongqi Fang*: To treat neonatal mouth sores and wind-gan sores, etc., finely grind Wan Can E and apply to the sore; it is excellent.
*Yanyi* states: Yuan Can E implies the meaning of rapid recovery/renewal; this is the second generation of moths. Details are provided in the entry for Bai Jiang Can. Can Sha can be used to feed cattle instead of grain. Additionally, mix five dou of Can Sha with three sheng of strong wine, steam in a steamer until hot, spread on an oil cloth in a warm room, and have patients suffering from wind-cold obstruction or recent onset of paralysis lie on the affected side. Cover thickly until sweating occurs. For deficient patients, attendants must stay nearby to prevent fainting from excessive heat. Ensure the head and face remain uncovered. If not fully recovered, repeat after an interval.