Stiff Silkworm Bai Jiang Can: Relieving Spasms and Itching in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Bai Jiang Can, also known as Stiff Silkworm or Fried Silkworm, is the dried body of silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) infected and stiffened by Beauveria bassiana fungus. Valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its ability to dispel wind, stop spasms, transform phlegm, and resolve toxins, Bai Jiang Can holds a unique place in herbal therapy.

Its use was first noted in the Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), though early descriptions were brief.

Over centuries, TCM scholars, including Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty’s Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), detailed its properties, harvesting, and applications, noting its ability to “disperse wind, transform phlegm, and unblock channels.” Later texts like Bencao Beiyao and Bencao Zhengyi expanded its clinical uses, making it a versatile remedy.

Bai Jiang Can

Properties of Bai Jiang Can

Nature and Meridian Affinity

• Taste: Pungent, salty

• Nature: Neutral

• Meridians: Liver, Lung

Key Components

Bai Jiang Can contains proteins, fats, amino acids, and bioactive compounds from the Beauveria fungus, contributing to its pharmacological effects.

Main Functions

• Dispels wind and stops spasms.

• Transforms phlegm and resolves nodules.

• Detoxifies and disperses masses.

• Offers anticonvulsant, sedative, anti-inflammatory, and potential anti-tumor effects.

Clinical Applications

Bai Jiang Can is widely used in TCM for the following conditions:

• Dispelling Wind and Stopping Spasms: Effective for convulsions, seizures, and pediatric acute convulsions caused by wind-phlegm obstruction.

• Transforming Phlegm and Resolving Nodules: Treats phlegm-related nodules, scrofula, and sore throat.

• Detoxifying and Dispersing Masses: Addresses toxic swellings, sores, and erysipelas.

• Relieving Itching: Soothes skin itching from wind-related conditions like urticaria (hives).

• Treating Facial Conditions: Helps with facial paralysis and facial asymmetry by unblocking channels.

Bai Jiang Can

Bai Jiang Can in Classic TCM Formulas

Bai Jiang Can is often combined with other herbs to enhance its effects in TCM formulas:

• Qian Zheng San (Traction Powder): Contains Bai Jiang Can, Scorpion (Quan Xie), and Centipede (Wu Gong). It dispels wind, transforms phlegm, and unblocks channels, treating facial paralysis and asymmetry from stroke sequelae.

• Yu Zhen San (Jade Powder): Includes Bai Jiang Can, Arisaema (Tian Nan Xing), Fang Feng, Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo, and Gan Cao. It dispels wind, transforms phlegm, and relieves pain, used for tetanus.

• Zhi Jing San (Spasm-Stopping Powder): Combines Bai Jiang Can and Scorpion to treat spasms and convulsions.

Stiff Silkworm Bai Jiang Can Extract 5:1 Concentrated Granules

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Comparison with Similar Herbs

Bai Jiang Can shares functions with other TCM herbs but has distinct characteristics:

• Scorpion (Quan Xie): Stronger at calming wind and relieving spasms, used for severe wind-phlegm conditions but more drying than Bai Jiang Can.

• Centipede (Wu Gong): Potent for calming wind and resolving toxins, but its toxicity limits long-term use compared to Bai Jiang Can.

• Cicada Slough (Chan Tui): Focuses on dispersing wind-heat and relieving rashes, differing from Bai Jiang Can’s spasm and phlegm focus.

Modern Applications and Research

Modern studies confirm Bai Jiang Can’s traditional uses:

• Anticonvulsant: Inhibits central nervous system overactivity, aiding in seizure control.

• Sedative: Promotes calmness and sleep.

• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory mediators.

• Anti-tumor: Preliminary research suggests it may inhibit certain tumor cells.

• Immune Regulation: Enhances immune function and resilience.

Clinically, Bai Jiang Can is used for neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, facial paralysis), skin issues (e.g., herpes zoster, itching), and as an adjunct in cancer treatment.

Precautions for Use

• Dosage: Typically 3–9 grams, adjusted based on condition and practitioner guidance.

• Contraindications: Use cautiously in pregnant women and those with wind from blood deficiency.

• Preparation: Often used as fried Bai Jiang Can to reduce its cold nature.

• Consultation: Always use under professional guidance to ensure safety.

Conclusion

Bai Jiang Can is a unique TCM herb, valued for dispelling wind, stopping spasms, transforming phlegm, and resolving toxins. Its historical use, from Shennong Bencao Jing to modern applications, highlights its versatility in treating convulsions, skin itching, and facial paralysis. With ongoing research uncovering its potential in neurology and oncology, Bai Jiang Can’s future in TCM is promising. Proper use under professional guidance ensures safe and effective outcomes.

Stiff Silkworm Bai Jiang Can Extract 5:1 Concentrated Granules

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Chinese Name	僵蠶
Chinese Pinyin	Jiangcan
English Name	Stiff Silkworm
Latin Pharmaceutical Name	Bombyx Batryticatus
Category	Zoological substances
Origin	The dried body of the larvae of Bombyx mori L that has been killed due to infection (or inoculation) of the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill.(Bombycidae).
Production Regions	Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Sichuan.
Macroscopic Features	Slightly cylindrical, often curly and wrinkled. Long 2~5cm, diameter 0.5~0.7cm. Externally grayish-yellow, covered with white powdery frost-like aerial mycelium and conidia. Head is relatively round-shaped, with 8 pairs of legs, obvious body joint rings, tail has two slight branches. Hard and brittle texture, easily broken, fractured surface is smooth, outer layer is white, middle has bright brown or black 4 silk gland rings. Slightly fishy odor, slightly salty taste.
Quality Requirements	Superior medicinal material has hard texture, white color, thick strips.
Properties	Salty, acrid; neutral.
Functions	Dispels wind, calms fright, resolves phlegm, disperses binds. Apply to convulsions and hyperspasmia, throat swelling pain, submaxillary lymphadenitis, facial nerve paralysis, skin itching.
Processed Form	Fried jiang can: fry the cleaned jiang can by the way of bran-fry process, till outer surface yellow. Moderates the nature of unprocessed pieces, corrects the bias.
Technical Terms	‘Silk gland rings’: this refers to the fractured surface of jiang can, which generally has 4 shiny brown or shiny black silk gland rings. “Mouth sticking to the mirror surface”: jiang can medicinal material is hard but brittle in texture, and it is easily broken, the fractured surface is even and the outer layer is white and clearly powdery, while the center is dark brown and shiny like a mirror.