Wu Gong (蚈蝣) is the centipede, recorded as Scolopendra. It is acrid in flavour and warm in temperature, entering the Liver channel alone. The catalogue files it among the substances that extinguish Wind and stop tremors, and marks it toxic.

Pinyin

wu gong

Chinese

蜈蚣

Latin Name

Scolopendra

English Name

Centipede

Japanese

gosho

Korean

ogong

Actions and indications

Extinguishes Wind and stops spasms and convulsions

Seizures, lockjaw, opisthotonos and acute or chronic childhood convulsions from Liver Wind
Tetanus with rigidity
Epilepsy
Facial paralysis from Wind
Wind-stroke with a deviated eye and mouth, or hemiplegia

Attacks Fire toxin, dissipates nodules and relieves masses

Toxic nodules such as sores, scrofula, carbuncles and lumps in the neck; Chuang Yong treated topically
Sores that will not heal, applied topically
Cancer
Snake bites

Unblocks the collaterals and stops pain

Obstinate headaches, including migraine
Stubborn Wind-Damp Bi pain that has not responded to gentler herbs

Combinations

quan xie

High fever generating Wind, with convulsions and seizures; epilepsy; scrofula and swollen toxic sores; submandibular lymphadenitis (taken internally or applied topically); intractable migraine; Wind-Damp Bi pain; twitching; tetany; opisthotonos

quan xie + jiang can + gou teng

Acute or chronic convulsions in children with opisthotonos, contractures and spasms

gan cao

Snakebite, sores and scrofula, applied as a plaster

xiong huang

Toxic sores topically.

fish liver oil

Pustules on the fingertips (snake head boils), applied as a salve

tian ma + jiang can + chuan xiong + dang gui

Bi pain, migraine or intractable headache

du huo + wei ling xian + fang feng

Stubborn Bi.