bombycis faeces

Bombycis faeces (Chinese name: 晚蚕沙 or 蚕沙; English names include Can Sha and Silkworm Feces) is the dried fecal matter of the larvae of the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori). In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is classified as an herb that dispels wind and dampness. It is primarily used to treat conditions such as rheumatic pain (bi syndrome), joint pain, muscle cramps or spasms, skin itching and rashes (including eczema and urticaria), vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain due to turbid dampness in the stomach or intestines, amenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding. The herb acts by expelling wind-dampness from the body and harmonizing stomach function. Modern pharmacological studies suggest it contains chlorophylls, phytosterols (such as β-sitosterol), amino acids, carotenoids including beta-carotene, vitamins B and C among other components[2]. Research has identified phytol as a major active ingredient with analgesic effects for migraine via modulation of neuronal excitability through sodium channels such as Nav1.7[6]. Bombycis faeces also exhibits anti-inflammatory[2], antimicrobial[2], immunosuppressive[2], hepatoprotective[2], wound-healing[2] properties.

Other names

晚蚕沙蚕沙can shasilkworm fecessilkworm excrementfaeces bombycisexcrementum bombycis mori