Pinyin: Shetui
Aliases
Longpi, Shejin, Shefu, Shepi, Sheke
Source
Elaphe taeniura, a snake of the family Colubridae.Elaphe taeniuraCope, JinsheElaphe carinataGuenther or Wushaoshe.Zaocys dhumnadesDried epidermal membrane shed by (Cantor) and others.
Distribution
Distributed in Southwest, Central China, and Shaanxi, Gansu, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Taiwan.
Harvesting and Processing
Collect in late spring to early summer or early winter, remove sediment and sand, and dry.
Medicinal Properties
This product is cylindrical in shape, mostly flattened and wrinkled, resembling a snake when intact, and can reach over 1 m in length. The dorsal side is silver-gray or light grayish-brown, lustrous, with diamond-shaped or elliptical scale marks that appear white at the junctions, slightly wrinkled or sunken; the ventral side is milky white or slightly yellowish, with rectangular scale marks arranged in an imbricate pattern. The texture is light, slightly tough, with a lubricating feel or elasticity when pinched, and produces a rustling sound when gently rubbed. The odor is slightly fishy, and the taste is bland or slightly salty.
Chemical Constituents
Contains bone collagen, amino acids, glycogen, nucleic acids, aminopeptidase, andβ- glucuronidase, lactate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, etc.
Pharmacology
Has anti-inflammatory and inhibits red blood cell hemolysis effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Salty, sweet, and neutral in nature. Enters the Liver channel.
Functions and Indications
Expels Wind, calms convulsions, removes corneal opacity, and resolves toxicity
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 3-6 g; grind into powder, 1.5-3 g per dose. External use: appropriate amount, decoct for washing, grind into powder and sprinkle, or mix for application.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Prescriptions
1. For unremitting bloody discharge from anal fistula: Shepi (snake slough, washed, roasted until scorched), Wubeizi (Chinese gall), and Longgu (dragon bone) 0.3 g each, Chuanxuduan (Dipsacus, washed, sun-dried) 0.6 g. Grind the above into a fine powder, add a small amount of Shexiang (musk), mix with saliva, and apply topically. (Zhi Zhi Fang, She Tui San) 2. For scalds and burns with putrid skin: Shetui (snake slough), burn to preserve the nature and grind into powder. Mix with sesame oil and apply. Two to three applications will heal. (Gu Ti Yi Hua) 3. For urinary retention: One whole snake slough. Burn to preserve the nature, grind, and take with warm wine. (Gang Mu) 4. For pinworms: Shetui (snake slough) 6 g (roasted until yellow), Bingpian (borneol) 0.3 g. Grind together into a fine powder and apply to the anus before bedtime. (Ji Lin Zhong Cao Yao) 5. For persistent rubella itching: Shetui (snake slough, washed, roasted until scorched), Lufengfang (wasp nest, washed, coated with honey, roasted until scorched). Grind together into a fine powder, take 3 g with warm wine, twice daily. (Gu Jin Yi Tong, She Tui San) 6. For purulent otitis media: Shetui (snake slough) roasted black to preserve the nature, grind into powder. Blow into the ear. (Pian Yu Xin Shu)
