Herb

Jiang Can

Silkworm | 僵蚕

Also known as:

Bái Jiāng Cán (白僵蚕) , Jiāng Chóng (僵虫) , Tiān Chóng (天虫)

Jiang Can

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Properties

Wind-extinguishing and spasm-relieving herbs (息风止痉药) · Neutral

Traditionally supports*

Neurological Health Headache Relief Itch Relief Throat Health

Parts Used

Animal — whole (全虫 quán chóng)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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About This Herb

Traditional Chinese Medicine background and properties

Herb Description

Jiang Can is the dried body of a silkworm larva that has been naturally infected by a white fungus (Beauveria bassiana). It is widely used in Chinese medicine to calm spasms and tremors, relieve headaches and skin itching caused by Wind, and dissolve Phlegm-related lumps and swellings such as swollen lymph nodes or mumps. It has a mild, neutral nature, making it suitable for a broad range of conditions.

Herb Category

Wind-extinguishing and spasm-relieving herbs (息风止痉药)

Main Actions

  • Extinguishes Wind and Stops Spasms
  • Dispels Wind and Stops Pain
  • Transforms Phlegm and Dissipates Nodules
  • Clears Heat from the Throat

How These Actions Work

'Extinguishes Wind and stops spasms' means Jiang Can calms internal Liver Wind that causes involuntary muscle movements such as tremors, twitching, and convulsions. Because its nature is neutral (neither hot nor cold), it can be used for spasms regardless of whether the underlying cause is Heat or Cold. It is particularly suited to cases where Phlegm and Wind combine to cause seizures or convulsions, such as childhood febrile convulsions, epilepsy, or tetanus.

'Dispels Wind and relieves pain' refers to its ability to expel Wind from the channels and collaterals of the head and face. This makes it effective for wind-related headaches (including migraine), facial pain, toothache caused by Wind invasion, and itchy skin rashes like hives. Wind in TCM is an agitating pathogenic factor associated with sudden onset, movement, and change.

'Transforms Phlegm and dissipates nodules' describes how Jiang Can breaks up Phlegm accumulations that form lumps or swellings in the body. This applies to conditions like scrofula (swollen lymph nodes), mumps (parotid gland swelling), thyroid nodules, and phlegm-related throat obstruction. Its salty taste in TCM theory softens hardness and dissolves masses.

'Clears Heat and resolves toxins from the throat' means Jiang Can can address sore throat, throat swelling, and voice loss caused by Wind-Heat or toxic Heat affecting the throat. It is a commonly used herb in formulas for acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony that reveal what's out of balance in the body. Jiang Can is traditionally associated with these specific patterns.

The following describes this herb's classification within Traditional Chinese Medicine theory and is provided for educational purposes only.

Why Jiang Can addresses this pattern

When extreme Heat stirs up internal Liver Wind, the result is high fever with convulsions, muscle spasms, or seizures. Jiang Can enters the Liver channel and directly extinguishes Wind to stop spasms. Its neutral temperature means it does not add more Heat, and its Phlegm-transforming action addresses the Phlegm that commonly accompanies Wind in this pattern. It is often combined with stronger Wind-extinguishing herbs like Gou Teng (Uncaria) or Tian Ma (Gastrodia) for severe cases.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Convulsions

Febrile convulsions, especially in children

Muscle Spasm

Involuntary muscle twitching or rigidity

Epilepsy

Seizures with phlegm-related symptoms such as drooling or gurgling

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn), Salty (咸 xián)

Channels Entered
Liver Lungs Stomach
Parts Used

Animal — whole (全虫 quán chóng)

This is partial information on the herb's TCM properties. More detailed information is available on the herb's dedicated page

Product Details

Manufacturing, supplier, and product specifications

Product Type

Granules

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Botanical & Sourcing

Quality Indicators

Good quality Jiang Can should be thick, firm, and straight or only slightly curved, with a solid body that is hard and brittle. The surface should be greyish-yellow with an even, abundant coating of white powdery fungal mycelium (the frost-like appearance). When snapped in half, the cross-section should be flat and clean, showing a white outer layer with four clearly visible bright brown or black silk gland rings in the center. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia specifies these four silk gland rings as a key quality indicator. The smell should be mildly fishy and the taste slightly salty. Avoid specimens that are dark, damp, moldy with non-white discoloration, broken, hollow, or lacking the characteristic white fungal coating. Specimens with fewer than four visible silk gland rings are considered lower quality.

Primary Growing Regions

Jiang Can is produced wherever sericulture (silkworm farming) is practiced. The major producing regions in China are Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Sichuan, and Guangdong provinces. Historically, during the Qin-Han period, it was first recorded from Yu county in Henan province. During the Tang and Song dynasties, Henan and Shandong were the main producing areas. Today, Jiangsu and Zhejiang are considered the most important regions for high-quality production, benefiting from long-established silkworm cultivation traditions and well-developed artificial inoculation techniques for Beauveria bassiana. Anhui province is also a significant producer.

Harvesting Season

Spring and autumn seasons, when silkworms infected with Beauveria bassiana die and are collected for drying.

Supplier Information

Treasure of the East

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Usage & Safety

How to use this herb and important safety information

Important Medical Disclaimer

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. This herb is a dietary supplement and has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications. Discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider if you experience any adverse reactions.

Recommended Dosage

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Traditional Dosage Reference

Standard

5-10g

Maximum

Up to 15-20g in acute conditions under practitioner supervision. Doses exceeding 20g may cause abdominal distension and should be avoided. Patients with liver disease should use lower doses due to ammonia-generating potential of ammonium oxalate.

Notes

The standard decoction dose is 5-10g. When used as ground powder taken directly (rather than decocted), the dose is reduced to 1-1.5g per serving. For dispersing Wind-Heat, the raw (unprocessed) form is preferred as it has stronger dispersing properties. For most other applications, including transforming Phlegm and dissipating nodules, the bran-fried form (麸炒僵蚕, fu chao jiang can) is recommended, which also reduces the fishy smell and moderates the herb's action. Higher doses within the range are used for acute conditions like severe sore throat or convulsions, while lower doses are appropriate for chronic Phlegm nodules.

Processing Methods

Processing method

Stir-fried with wheat bran (麸炒). Wheat bran is scattered into a hot wok until smoke rises, then the silkworm bodies are added and stir-fried until they turn yellow. The bran is sifted out and the herb is cooled. Ratio: approximately 10 parts bran to 100 parts herb.

How it changes properties

Bran-frying reduces the herb's ability to dredge Wind through the channels and lessens its strong ascending dispersing nature, while strengthening its Phlegm-transforming and nodule-dissipating actions. The processing also reduces the fishy odor and makes the herb gentler on the Stomach.

When to use this form

Preferred when the primary goal is to transform Phlegm and dissipate nodules (such as scrofula, phlegm masses, or mumps), rather than to dispel external Wind. Also chosen when the patient has a weak Stomach and the raw form's fishy quality may cause nausea.

Toxicity Classification

Non-toxic

Jiang Can has relatively low oral toxicity. Animal studies show the LD50 of its water-extracted alcohol-precipitated preparation is approximately 35.84 g/kg by intraperitoneal injection in mice, indicating a wide safety margin. The main safety concern relates to ammonium oxalate, one of its active anticonvulsant components. When metabolized, ammonium oxalate can release ammonia, which is problematic for patients with compromised liver function (hepatic encephalopathy risk). Additionally, the heterologous proteins from the Beauveria bassiana fungus can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. At high doses (above 20g), abdominal distension has been reported. Proper processing by stir-frying with wheat bran (麸炒僵蚕) can reduce the fishy odor and moderate the herb's properties.

Contraindications

Avoid

Allergy to insect-derived medicines or silkworm proteins. Jiang Can contains heterologous proteins from the fungus Beauveria bassiana that can trigger allergic reactions including urticaria and acne-like skin eruptions.

Avoid

Hepatic encephalopathy (liver coma). Jiang Can contains ammonium oxalate, which is metabolized to ammonia in the body. In patients with severe liver dysfunction, this can worsen hepatic encephalopathy.

Caution

Bleeding disorders or active hemorrhage. Jiang Can has demonstrated anticoagulant activity and can reduce platelet counts. Patients with coagulation disorders or bleeding tendencies should avoid use.

Caution

Spasms, convulsions, or night crying in children caused by Heart deficiency or Blood deficiency rather than external pathogenic factors. The Ben Cao Jing Shu states that when these symptoms arise from internal deficiency without external pathogenic involvement, Jiang Can is not appropriate.

Caution

Uterine bleeding or postpartum pain not caused by Wind-Cold invasion. Classical sources warn against using Jiang Can for gynecological bleeding or pain when external pathogens are not the underlying cause.

Caution

Excessive or prolonged use may cause lower abdominal cold pain and urinary incontinence, as noted by the Ben Cao Xin Bian, due to the herb's descending and cooling nature at high doses.

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Use with caution during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown that Jiang Can can significantly reduce pregnancy rates in mice, supporting the traditional classification of Jiang Can as a pregnancy-cautionary herb (胎前禁忌). The mechanism is not fully understood but may relate to its blood-moving and anticoagulant properties. Pregnant women should avoid use unless specifically prescribed and supervised by a qualified practitioner.

Breastfeeding

There is insufficient safety data regarding Jiang Can use during breastfeeding. As an animal-derived substance containing heterologous proteins and biologically active peptides, there is a theoretical risk of allergenic compounds transferring through breast milk. Additionally, the ammonium oxalate content could theoretically affect the nursing infant. Use during breastfeeding should be approached cautiously and only under professional guidance.

Pediatric Use

Jiang Can has a long history of pediatric use, particularly for childhood convulsions, febrile seizures, and night crying. It is considered one of the gentler anticonvulsant animal medicines compared to Quan Xie (scorpion) or Wu Gong (centipede). Pediatric dosages should be reduced proportionally based on age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose. For infants and very young children, ground powder form (1-1.5g) may be preferred over decoction. As with all insect-derived medicines, watch for allergic reactions, especially on first use. Not suitable for newborns without professional supervision.

Drug Interactions

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (e.g. warfarin, heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel): Jiang Can has demonstrated anticoagulant activity in pharmacological studies, including inhibition of platelet aggregation and promotion of tPA activity. Concurrent use with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs may increase bleeding risk. Coagulation parameters should be monitored if combined use is unavoidable.

Antiepileptic drugs: Jiang Can contains compounds with anticonvulsant activity (including ammonium oxalate and beauvericin). While this may theoretically complement antiepileptic therapy, potential additive effects or interactions with the dosing of pharmaceutical anticonvulsants should be considered.

Hepatotoxic drugs: Because ammonium oxalate in Jiang Can is metabolized to ammonia, patients taking medications that affect liver function should use Jiang Can cautiously, as the ammonia burden could compound hepatotoxic effects.

Dietary Advice

When taking Jiang Can for Wind-Heat or Phlegm conditions, avoid greasy, fried, and phlegm-producing foods such as dairy, heavy meats, and excessively sweet foods, as these can generate more Phlegm and counteract the herb's phlegm-transforming action. Patients with a tendency toward digestive sensitivity should take Jiang Can with food or warm ginger water to mitigate potential nausea or stomach discomfort. Avoid alcohol during treatment, as it can increase Heat and potentially exacerbate allergic reactions.

Cautions & Warnings

Although this herb is typically safe for most individuals, it may cause side effects in some people. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, postpartum women, and those with liver disease should use the formula with caution.

As with any Chinese herbal remedy, it is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.