Earthworm – 1 lb (454 g)

Earthworm, known in Chinese as 地龙 (Dìlóng) and scientifically as Pheretima, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Earthworm carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Earthworm helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Earthworm provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Earthworm has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Earthworm, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Qiuyin, Qusuan, and Tulong. It is the whole body of animals from the Megascolecidae family, including Pheretima aspergillum (E. Perrier), commonly called Guang Dilong, mainly produced in Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, etc.; Pheretima vulgaris Chen, Pheretima guillelmi (Michaelsen), and Pheretima pectinifera Michaelsen, collectively called Hu Dilong, mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, etc. Guang Dilong is harvested from spring to autumn; Hu Dilong is harvested in summer by wind. The mucus is washed off, the abdomen is promptly dissected to remove viscera and dirt, then dried in the sun or by low-temperature drying.

[Properties] Salty in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Liver, Lung, and Kidney meridians.

[Actions] Clears heat and stops convulsions; pacifies Liver and extinguishes wind; unblocks channels and collaterals; relieves asthma and promotes urination.

[Applications]
1. Used for high fever with delirium, convulsions, and spasms in febrile diseases. For extreme heat in typhoid fever with irritability, delirium, and convulsions, it can be used alone as a decoction or juice. It can also be combined with Gou Teng (Uncaria), Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus), Da Qing Ye (Isatis leaf), Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera flower), Lian Qiao (Forsythia fruit), etc. For pediatric acute and chronic convulsions, it can be pounded and mixed with Zhu Sha (Cinnabar) powder into pills coated with gold foil for internal use.
2. Used for Liver Yang rising with headache and dizziness; often combined with Shi Jue Ming (Abalone shell), Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), Xia Ku Cao (Prunella spike), etc. Currently widely used clinically for hypertension due to Liver Yang rising.
3. Used for hemiplegia after stroke and rheumatic arthralgia. For wind-phlegm obstructing collaterals causing hemiplegia, facial deviation, and speech difficulties, often combined with Tian Ma (Gastrodia), Gou Teng, Ban Xia (Pinellia), Nan Xing (Arisaema), etc. For post-stroke Qi deficiency and blood stasis causing hemiplegia, often combined with Zhi Huang Qi (prepared Astragalus), Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Hong Hua (Carthamus), Tao Ren (Peach kernel), as in Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang. For rheumatic bi syndrome: if heat bi with red, swollen, hot, painful joints, combined with Sang Zhi (Mulberry twig), Chi Shao (Red peony root), Luo Shi Teng (Trachelospermum), Ren Dong Teng (Lonicera stem), etc.; if cold bi with cold, painful joints and limited movement, combined with Chuan Wu (Aconite), Nan Xing, Ru Xiang (Frankincense), as in Xiao Huo Luo Dan.
4. Used for lung heat asthma; can be taken as powder internally; or prepared as Dilong liquid for acupoint or intramuscular injection; or combined with Ma Huang (Ephedra), Shi Gao (Gypsum), Xing Ren (Apricot kernel), etc. for decoction.
5. Used for heat accumulation in the bladder causing urinary retention; can be pounded and filtered with cold water for internal use; also combined with Che Qian Zi (Plantago seed), Huang Bai (Phellodendron bark), Mu Tong (Akebia stem), etc. When combined with Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel) and taken as juice, it can treat elderly patients with diminished Mingmen fire and impaired bladder Qi transformation causing urinary difficulty.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 4.5–9 g; or incorporated into pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount of fresh herb pounded or juice applied topically; powder can be sprinkled or mixed for topical application.

[Cautions] Not suitable for patients with Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold; contraindicated in pregnancy. Use Dilong injection with caution in patients with severe allergic constitution. The herb has a fishy taste and may cause vomiting when taken internally; adding a small amount of Chen Pi (aged tangerine peel) in decoction or roasting and powdering for capsule form can reduce this reaction.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Pheretima contains pheretima alkaloids, arachidonic acid, hypoxanthine, earthworm extract substances, earthworm toxin, succinic acid, cholesterol, choline, amino acids, nucleic acid derivatives, and other compounds.
2. Pharmacological effects: Pheretima has thrombolytic and anticoagulant effects; hot water or alcohol extracts lower blood pressure slowly but persistently; decoction or injection promotes natriuresis, diuresis, and reduces triglycerides, helping prevent stroke; extracts have antipyretic, anticonvulsant, and tumor cell growth inhibitory effects; enhance activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH PX), scavenging free radicals and protecting against lipid peroxidation damage; extracts relieve bronchial smooth muscle spasms and increase capillary permeability, thus relieving cough and asthma.
3. Clinical reports: 1) Pediatric asthma: dry Pheretima powder 1–3 g, three times daily for 3 days; 10 cases treated, 9 cured, 1 effective. [Sichuan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1986, 4(7):15] 2) Herpes zoster: fresh Pheretima 20 g, fresh Allium tuberosum root 30 g, pounded into a paste with a small amount of sesame oil, applied externally twice daily; 26 cases treated within 2–3 days of onset, cured within 2–5 days. [Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1983, (11):6] 3) Chronic renal failure: fresh Pheretima mixed with white sugar proportionally to extract juice; 20 ml per dose; 14 cases treated with good efficacy. [Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1999, (10):477] 4) Urinary tract stones: fresh Pheretima dried and powdered, mixed with white sugar, taken once in the morning; 5 cases treated, all cured. [Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1987, (1):42]