Pinyin: Wushaoshe
Aliases
1
Source
This product is the body of the black-tailed snake from the Colubridae family.Zaocys dhumnadesInternal use: decoct 3-10 g.Cantor) dried body.
Distribution
Distributed in East China, South China, Southwest China, and Hunan, Hubei, Shanxi, Hebei, and other regions.
Harvesting and Processing
Mostly caught in summer and autumn, cut open the snake's abdomen or first remove the snake skin while retaining the head and tail, remove the internal organs, coil into a circular disc shape, and dry.
Medicinal Properties
This product is disc-shaped, with a disc diameter of approximately 16 cm. The surface is blackish-brown or greenish-black, densely covered with rhomboid scales; the dorsal scale rows are paired, with 2-4 rows of scales in the center of the back strongly keeled, forming two black lines running longitudinally along the entire body. The head is located in the center, flat and round, with large, sunken, and glossy eyes. There are 8 supralabial scales, with the 4th and 5th entering the orbit, 1 loreal scale, 1 small preocular scale, and 2 postocular scales. The back is elevated, forming a roof-like ridge. The abdomen is split open with the edges curled inward; the dorsal muscles are thick, yellowish-white or pale brown, with neatly arranged ribs visible. The tail is gradually slender and long. The subcaudal scales are paired. In skinned specimens, only the skin and scales of the head and tail remain, while the middle section is relatively smooth. Odor: fishy; Taste: bland. The best quality is characterized by a blackish-brown skin, yellowish-white interior, and a distinct keel on the back.
Chemical Constituents
Mainly contains protein and fat components.
Pharmacology
This product has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, and immunomodulatory effects. The serum of *Zaocys dhumnades* has anti-snake venom activity.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, neutral. Enters the Liver channel.
Functions and Indications
Expels Wind, unblocks collaterals, and stops spasms. Used for stubborn Wind-Damp Bi syndrome, numbness and contracture, Wind-strike with facial deviation, hemiplegia, convulsive spasms, tetanus, leprous scabies and tinea, scrofula, and malignant sores.
Internal use: decoct 3-10 g
Oral: decoction, 6-12 g; steep in wine or dry-roast and grind into pills or powder. External: burn to ash and mix for topical application.
Precautions and Contraindications
For those with blood deficiency generating wind, use with caution.
Prescriptions
1. For facial sores: Wushe (Zaocys dhumnades) 30 g, burn to ash, finely grind into powder, mix with lard from the twelfth month and apply topically. (From "Shenghui Fang") 2. For body numbness and wind: Wushe (Zaocys dhumnades) 30 g (soaked in wine, remove skin and bones, roast until slightly yellow), Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata) 15 g (remove root head), Xixin (Asarum sieboldii) 15 g, Baihuashe (Agkistrodon acutus) 30 g (soaked in wine, remove skin and bones, roast until slightly yellow), Tianma (Gastrodia elata) 15 g, Duhuo (Angelica pubescens) 5 g, Rougui (Cinnamomum cassia) 15 g (remove wrinkled bark), Zhiqiao (Citrus aurantium) 15 g (stir-fried with bran until slightly yellow, remove pulp), Kushen (Sophora flavescens) 15 g (cut). The above ingredients are ground and sifted, mixed with refined honey and pounded 200-300 times. Form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 20 pills before meals with warm wine. (From "Shenghui Fang" Wushe Wan)
