What are the functions and benefits of Cicada Slough?
Nov 21, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Cicada slough is the exuviae (shed skin) of the cicada species *Cryptotympana pustulata* (Fabricius) during its metamorphosis, and is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. Generally, cicada slough has various functions and therapeutic effects, including疏散风热 (dispelling wind-heat), 透疹止痒 (promoting eruption of rashes and relieving itching), 平肝明目 (calming the liver and improving vision), 息风止痉 (pacifying endogenous wind and arresting convulsions), and 利咽开音 (benefiting the throat and improving voice). However, Chinese herbal medicines should be used under the guidance of qualified medical professionals. If cicada slough is required for treatment, it should be administered in accordance with a physician's instructions.
Cicada slough is the exuviae left by the cicada species Cryptotympana pustulata when it undergoes metamorphosis, and it is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. Generally speaking, cicada slough has various therapeutic effects and functions, including dispersing wind and clearing heat, promoting eruption of rashes and relieving itching, soothing the liver and improving vision, extinguishing wind and stopping convulsions, benefiting the throat and improving voice. However, traditional Chinese medicines should be used under the guidance of qualified medical professionals. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Dispersing Wind and Clearing Heat: Cicada slough, which is sweet and cold in nature, can clear heat and cool the body, often used to treat symptoms such as infant colds, fever, and chills. Its property of dispersing wind-heat can help patients quickly relieve symptoms of colds and is one of the commonly used herbs in TCM for treating wind-heat colds.
2. Promoting Eruption of Rashes and Relieving Itching: Cicada slough has the effect of clearing heat and promoting eruption of rashes, and can be used to treat exanthematous diseases such as measles and rubella. It helps the rash toxins erupt and alleviates skin itching. It is often combined with other herbs like Arctii Fructus (niubangzi) and mint to enhance its therapeutic effects.
3. Soothing the Liver and Improving Vision: Cicada slough can improve symptoms such as red, swollen, painful eyes, corneal opacity, and eye disorders caused by wind-heat, including corneal opacity after measles. It can be used in combination with other herbs such as chrysanthemum flowers, Euphorbiae Herba (gujingcao), and Tribuli Fructus (bajidili) to relieve eye discomfort.
4. Extinguishing Wind and Stopping Convulsions: Cicada slough can both dispel external wind and subdue internal wind. It is commonly used to treat nervous system disorders such as infantile convulsion and tetanus. For symptoms like limb convulsions caused by tetanus, it can be taken together with scorpion; for symptoms like restlessness and night crying caused by convulsions, it can be used together with Uncaria to achieve the effect of extinguishing wind and stopping convulsions.
5. Benefiting the Throat and Improving Voice: Cicada slough has the effect of benefiting the throat and improving voice, suitable for treating symptoms such as sore throat and hoarseness. It helps relieve throat discomfort and restore voice, often used in combination with herbs like Suanzaoren (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae), Oroxycarpus Bungei (Yuhuajian), and Scrophulariae Radix (pangdahai).
If cicada slough is needed for treatment, it should be used according to medical advice. At the same time, during the treatment period, a light diet should be maintained, and more fresh vegetables and fruits should be consumed to enhance the effectiveness of the medication.
