chan tui

蝉蜕·Periostracum Cicadae

Cicada Molting

About chan tui

Chan Tui (蝉蛎) is the cast-off shell of the cicada, recorded as Periostracum Cicadae. It is sweet and salty in flavour, slightly cold, and enters the Lung and Liver channels. The catalogue files it among the cool, acrid substances that release the Exterior.

Names

Pinyinchan tui
Chinese蝉蜕
Latin NamePeriostracum Cicadae
English NameCicada Molting·cicada moulting
Japanesesentai·seonse·tantoshi
Koreanseonse

Classification

Channels
Lung, Liver
Flavour
Sweet, Salty
Temperature
Slightly Cold
Part used
Animal by product
Family
Cicadidae
Species
Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Disperses Wind-Heat

  • Hoarseness or loss of voice with a swollen, sore throat, in exterior Wind-Heat or an upper respiratory infection

Vents rashes and relieves itching

  • Measles in its early stage, when the rash has not fully come out

Brightens the eyes and removes superficial visual obstruction

  • Red, painful, swollen eyes or blurred vision from Wind-Heat
  • Liver Yang rising on a base of Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency

Extinguishes Liver Wind and stops spasms

  • Fevers in children in which Liver Wind brings convulsions, spasms, delirium, fright, insomnia or night terrors
  • Tetanus, within traditional formulas

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 3-10g; Tincture: 1-3ml3-10 g1-3 ml

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions