Chinese Caterpillar Fungus

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan.

The insect body is similar to a silkworm, 3~5cm long, 3~8mm diameter; Externally yellowish-brown to deep yellow, rough, with obvious rings. Head is reddish-brown with stroma; ventral portion is deep yellow to yellowish-brown, 3 thoracic segments and 3 pairs of thoracic legs, 10 uromeres and 5 pairs of uromere legs, middle 4 pairs are obvious; externally has 20-30 segments; brittle texture; fractured surface is pale yellow. Stroma is thin cylindrical and slightly twisted, generally longer than the insect body. Externally grayish-brown to brown with thin longitudinal wrinkles; head is slightly enlarged. Soft and pliable texture; fractured surface is off-white and slightly fibrous. faintly fishy odor; slightly bitter taste.

Superior medicinal material has intact with full and large insect body, a bright yellow outer color, a white fractured surface, and a short atroma.

Sweet; neutral.

Supplements the lung, boosts the kidney, stops bleeding, transforms phlegm.