Jiang Can (僵蚕) — Stiff Silkworm: TCM Uses, Facial Paralysis & Formulas

At a Glance

Herb: Jiang Can
Chinese name: 僵蚕 (Jiāng Cán)
Latin name: Bombyx batryticatus (silkworm infected with Beauveria bassiana)
Nature: Neutral
Taste: Acrid / Salty
Meridian: Liver / Lung / Stomach
Category: Herbs that Extinguish Wind and Stop Tremors
Introduction: Jiang Can (僵蚕), the dried stiffened body of the silkworm Bombyx mori L. that died from infection with Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillant fungus, is a uniquely versatile herb that addresses wind, phlegm, heat, and toxin simultaneously. Recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, it occupies a crossover position between the wind-extinguishing and phlegm-resolving categories, treating conditions where wind and phlegm combine — such as facial paralysis, epilepsy, and wind-heat throat disorders. Modern pharmacology has identified beauvericin, cyclosporin-like peptides, and oxalic acid with antiseizure, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities.

Extinguishes wind and stops convulsions — for mild convulsions and childhood spasms
Resolves phlegm and disperses nodules — treats scrofula, goiter, and phlegm masses
Dispels wind-heat and benefits the throat — treats sore throat and hoarseness from wind-heat
Relieves itching — treats urticaria, wind-heat skin rashes with intense itching
Dispels wind and relieves facial pain — treats wind-heat headache and facial neuralgia

Febrile convulsions in children from liver wind with phlegm-heat
Epilepsy from wind-phlegm — milder than Quan Xie or Wu Gong; suitable for chronic use
Facial paralysis from wind-phlegm — combined with Quan Xie, Bai Fu Zi in Qian Zheng San
Scrofula and lymph node masses from phlegm-fire
Wind-heat sore throat, tonsillitis, and hoarseness
Urticaria and skin itching from wind-heat — combined with Chan Tui, Fang Feng

Standard dose: 5–10 g in decoction; 1–1.5 g as powder
Stir-fry (炒僵蚕) before use to reduce irritant qualities
Use with caution in blood deficiency generating wind — herb targets excess wind-phlegm
Generally safer and milder than Quan Xie or Wu Gong; suitable for children
Avoid in cases of internal wind from deficiency without phlegm component

Qian Zheng San (牵正散): Jiang Can, Quan Xie, Bai Fu Zi — the classic formula for facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) from wind-phlegm
Niu Huang Zhen Jing Wan (牛黄镇惊丸): Jiang Can, Quan Xie, Tian Ma, Niu Huang — clears heat, extinguishes wind; for high fever with convulsions in children
Combined with Chan Tui, Bo He, Jie Geng for wind-heat sore throat
Combined with Xia Ku Cao, Zhe Bei Mu, Xuan Shen for scrofula and lymph node masses

全蝎 (Quán Xiē) + 天南星 (Tiān Nán Xīng) — wind-phlegm causing epilepsy, facial paralysis, and convulsions. 2. 白附子 (Bái Fù Zǐ) + 全蝎 (Quán Xiē) — facial paralysis from wind-phlegm (牵正散). 3. 桑叶 (Sāng Yè) + 木贼 (Mù Zéi) — wind-heat eye disorders with photophobia and tearing. 4. 浙贝母 (Zhè Bèi Mǔ) + 夏枯草 (Xià Kū Cǎo) — scrofula and phlegm-heat neck masses. 5. 薄荷 (Bò Hé) + 牛蒡子 (Niú Bàng Zǐ) — wind-heat throat pain and hoarseness. Source: 神农本草经, 杨氏家藏方 (牵正散).

beauvericin
- Anticonvulsant: modulates calcium ion flux
- Anticonvulsant: reduces PTZ-induced seizure duration
- Antitumor: induces apoptosis in leukemia and ovarian cancer lines via mitochondrial pathway
silk proteins
- Expectorant and phlegm-resolving: reduce mucus viscosity
- Expectorant and phlegm-resolving: combined with alkaloids reduces phlegm-heat obstruction
Anti-inflammatory
- reduces histamine release and mast cell degranulation
- inhibits PGE₂ and LTB₄ production
Hypoglycemic
- reduces postprandial blood glucose via α-glucosidase inhibition
Antibacterial
- active against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》): ‘Governs childhood fright epilepsy and night crying, eliminates the three parasites, removes dark facial blemishes, improves complexion, and treats male genital sores.’
Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》): ‘Disperses wind-phlegm scrofula nodules, neck masses, head wind, wind-parasite tooth pain, skin wind sores, erysipelas with itching, phlegm malaria masses, women’s insufficient lactation, uterine flooding, and infantile malnutrition with scaly skin.’
Ben Cao Bei Yao (《本草备要》): ‘Expels wind and transforms phlegm, disperses masses and resolves toxin; treats wind stroke with loss of voice, deviation of mouth and eye, throat wind and throat impediment, erysipelas, and scrofula.’