WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

Dilong is the dried body of Pheretima aspergillum (E. Perrier), Pheretima vulgaris Chen, Pheretima guillelmi(Michaelsen), or Pheretima pectinifera Michaelsen, pertaining to Megascolecidae. The former is knows as "Guangdilong" and latter three kinds are know as "Hudinglong". Guangdilong usually is collected from spring to fall, while Hudilong is collected in summer and fall. After capture, the abdomen is cut open and internal organs are removed as well as earth and sands. It is washed, and then sun dried, or dried in low temperature. It is used in the raw form or fresh form.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Salty and cold relate to liver, spleen and bladder meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Clear heat, tranquilize; unblock collateral; cure asthma; and promote urination.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Fright epilepsy and epilepsy        Dilong is indicated for generation of wind by extreme heat. It treats fright epilepsy and convulsions due to high fever, in combination with Gouteng and Niuhuang. Also it treats infantile chronic and acute convulsions, in combination with Zhusha. By Mixing with salt, it can be transformed into water for oral administratin to treat epilepsy with heat.

2. Hemiplegia       It treats qi deficiency and blood stasis after wind stroke, manifesting as blockage of meridians and collaterals, hemiplegia and facial distortion. It is in combination with Huangqi, Danggui and Chuanxiong; for example in Buyang Huanwu Decoction.

3.Arthralgia       It is very suitable for heat arthralgia, manifesting as reddish and swollen joints with pain, unsmooth flexing and stretching, in combination with Fangji and Qinjiao. It treats wind-cold-damp arthralgia, manifesting as numbness, extreme pain, unsmooth flexing and stretching of joints and limbs, in combination with Chuanwu and Tiannanxing.

4. Lung heat, cough and asthma     By itself or in combination with Mahuang, Kuxingren and Huangqin, it can treat asthma with wheeze due to pathogenic heat accumulating in lung, causing failure of lung in purification.

5. Heat accumulation in bladder and  blockage or urine     By itself or in combination with Cheqianzi and Dongkuizi.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 4.5-9g. In fresh form 10-20g. It is ground into powder for administration, dosage 1-2g. Also it is used externally.

地龙为钜蚓科动物参环毛蚓Pheretima aspergillum (E. Perrier)、通俗环毛蚓Pheretima vulgaris Chen、威廉环毛蚓Pheretima guillelmi (Michaelsen)或栉盲环毛蚓Pheretima pectinifera Michaelsen的干燥体。前一种习称“广地龙”，主产于广东、广西、福建等地；后三种习称“沪地龙”，主产于上海一带。广地龙春季至秋季捕捉，沪地龙夏秋捕捉，及时剖开腹部，除去内脏及泥砂，洗净，晒干或低温干燥，生用或鲜用。