Earthworm

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian.

Pheretima aspergillum (E. Perrier): Long strip-shaped, curved, slightly curved at the edges, 15~20cm long, 1~2cm wide. Whole body has ringed segments. Back side is dark brown to purple-gray, front side is light yellowish-brown. The 14 th -16 th segments are reproductive clitellum, also called ‘white neck’, relatively lustrous. Slightly pointy apex of body, tail is blunt and round, rigid ring is rough and hard with pale color. Male reproductive hole is on the raised hole of 18 th segment of front side, outer edge has numerous circular shallow wrinkles, rigid pile of inner side is raised, front two lines have small mastoids, each side has 10~20. 2 pairs of spermathecal pores on the oval protrusion of 7/8 to 8/9 intersegments, taking about 5/11 of the segment perimeter. Light and slightly leathery, difficult to break; fishy odor; slightly salty taste. Hu di long: 8~15cm long, 0.5~1.5cm wide. Whole body has segments; back side is brown to yellowish-brown; front side is pale yellowish-brown; 3 pairs of spermathecal pores at the 6/7 to 8/9 intersegments. The 14 th -16 th segments are reproductive clitellum, relatively lustrous, male reproductive hole is on the raised hole of 18 th segment of front side. Usually the male mating chamber of Pheretima vulgaris Chen can totally turn out, appears cauliflower-like or penis-like; the male mating chamber of Pheretima guillelmi (Michaelsen) appears longitudinal crack-like; the male mating chamber of Pheretima pectinifera Michaelsen has one or more mastoids on the inner side.

Superior medicinal material has large strip and thick flesh.

Salty; cold.

Clears heat, settles fright, frees the network vessels, calms panting, promotes urination. Apply to coma due to high fever, frightening epilepsy and convulsion, joint impediment, numbing limbs, hemiplegia, dyspnea due to lung heat, oliguria and edema, hypertension.