Centipede, Wu Gong 蜈蚣

Wu Gong (TCM)
 Picture Picture
Picture Scolopendra spp.
Medical Zoology and Mineralogy, Stephendon, 1832

Picture Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans
Photo by Yasunori Koide) (Wikimedia)

Picture Dried Centipede available in bunches or rows for medicinal use
(Chengdu Herb Medicine Market, Adam, 2015)

Entomological name:


Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans

Parts used:


Dried Insect

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent. Toxic

Classification:


I. Medicines for Internal Wind

Uses:


1. Calms Wind, Stops Spasms:
-Epilepsy, Convulsions, Spasms, Tics
-Tetanus, including Neonatal Tetanus.
-hemiplegic paralysis caused by stroke (proven effect when combined with Scorpion)

2. Resits Poison, Clears Toxic Swellings:
-Scrofula, Ringworm, Erysipelas, joint and bone Tuberculosis.
-clears bad and toxic blood; used for toxic Swellings, Tumors, and Cancers.
-venomous bites of Snakes and Insects, as well as Seafood poisoning.
-traditional anti-malarial.
 
3. Moves the Blood, Clears Obstructions, Relieves Pain:
-serious types of pain, especially from Liver heat and wind, 
-serious, persistent, and Migraine-type headaches,
-arthritic pain.
 
4. Abortifacient.
    
5. Externally:
-poisonous bites and stings of insects and Snakes
-boils, swellings, tumors;
-externally with an equal amount of Licorice powder for joint pain, rheumatism, facial paralysis etc. (Tincture or Paste)
-Herpes Zoster


Dose:


1. Traditionally, some sources regarded the head as toxic, and therefore ordered it to be removed. Other texts stated the head was the strongest part. In some cases the head and/or tail were used for specific conditions. Today, the whole dried Centipede with head is used for all functions.
2. When used in Decoction, it is best to take the powder with the decoction rather than decocting the Centipede.
Powder: 500mg–2, or 2.5 grams.
Decoction: 1.5–4.5 grams
It may be applied topically with vinegar or wine in the form of a paste.

Comment:


Scorpion and Centpiede are similar in use and often used together. Scorpion is regarded as strionger for Twitching and Tremors while Centipede is stronger for Spasms, Convulsions and Toxic Swellings.

Preparation:


1. Legs are removed, usually the head also. It is often dry-fried gently.
2. It may be stir-fried with a little alcohol to make is stronger to move the Blood and clear obstructions
3. Sometimes, they are dry-fried until yellowish.

Main Combinations:


Usually Centipede (Wu Gong) is combined with Scorpion (Quan Xie) in TCM. Together, they are strong to stop spasms and convulsions, relieve Wind diseases, resolve Toxic swellings and relieve pain including severe Headache and Migraine.

1. Infantile Convulsions:
i. Centipede (Wu Gong), Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang), Amber
ii. Centipede (Wu Gong) with Cinnabar
2. Severe Headache associated with Blood Stasis, Centipede, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Dang Gui, Asarum Xi Xin
3. Chronic Cold-type (Yang deficient) convulsions: Centipede (Wu Gong) with Wasp nest, powdered and taken with wine.
4. Hemiplegic paralysis caused by stroke:
i. Centipede (Wu Gong) with Scorpion (equal parts as a powder; clinically proven effect)
5. Tetanus:
i. Centipede (Wu Gong) with Scorpion, Aconitum Fu Zi, Aconitum Wu Tuo (as in Wu Gong San from Ru Men Shi Qin [How the Literati Care for Their Parents]).
ii. Tetanus-induced limb spasms, Lockjaw, Centipede (Wu Gong) with Arisema bile-prepared (Dan Nan Xing), Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, and River-fish Swim bladder (Jiang Bao) (as in Wu Gong Xing Feng San from Yi Zong Jin Jian [Golden Mirror of Orthodox medicine]).
6. To move the Blood and resolve masses, Centipede (Wu Gong) with Leech
7. Furuncle that is hot and painful, Centipede (Wu Gong) with Scorpion and Realgar topically
8. Snake Bite, Centipede (Wu Gong) with Angelica Dahurica Bai Zhi, Realgar, Camphor (Zhang Nao) (Wu Gong San from Dong Tian Ao Zhi [Profound Essence of the Heaven]).
9. Topically as a paste for Herpes Zoster, Centipede (Wu Gong) with Coptis Huang Lian, Borneo Camphor (Bing Pian)

Cautions:


1. Not used during Pregnancy.
2. Not used in those with Kidney or Liver disease.
3. Toxic in overdose. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, unconsciousness, slow heartbeat, difficulty breathing, decreased body temperature, low blood pressure. Hemolytic effects cause brown urine, black stool, and hemolytic anemia usually follows. Overdose has been associated with Liver dysfunction and acute renal failure. Therefore, dosage should be strictly adhered to. Long-term use should be avoided, or a break in treatment every 2–3 weeks. Periodic Liver and Kidney function tests could be indicated with long-term use, or in the elderly, or those susceptible to Liver and Kidney dysfunction.
4. Allergic reactions may include rash and anaphylactic shock in severe cases.

Antidotes:
1. Tea 
2. Decoction of Feng Wei Cao (phoenix-tail fern), Honeysuckle Flower (Jin Yin Hua), and Licorice.

Main Preparations used:



  • Extra Info
  • Research
1. Anti-inflammatory
2. Anti-bacterial.
3. Anti-convulsdant
4. Immuno-stimulatng
5. Anti-Tumor
6. Cardio-tonic (increase cardiac muscle contraction)
7. Vasodilator.
8. Histamine-like effect.
9. Hemolytic
10. Inhibits Uterus contractions.