A dead caterpillar jointed with a stroma growing in the head of the larva. The caterpillar resembling a silkworm, 3~5cm long, 3~8mm in diameter; externally deep yellow to yellowish-brown, with 20~30 annulations, some of those near the head relatively fine; head reddish-brown, feet 8 pairs, the 4 pairs in the middle relatively conspicuous; texture fragile, easily broken, fracture slightly even, yellowish-white, stromata slenderly cylindrical, 4~7cm long, about 3mm in diameter; externally deep brown to brown, with fine longitudinal wrinkles, slightly swollen above. Texture flexible, fracture whitish. Odor, fleshy; taste, slightly bitter.

Chronic cough and asthma; hemoptysis in phthisis; impotence and seminal emissions with aching of loins and knees.

1.Nourishing the lung and kidney, arresting bleeding and resolving phlegm.

It is efficacious in the treatment of cough with blood-tinged sputum, asthma and shortness of breath due to lung deficiency. Lassitude and pains of loins and knees, and impotence and seminal emission due to kidney deficiency.

2.Nursing weakened health caused by consumptive diseases.

It is usually prescribed in the treatment of deficiency syndrome caused by overstrain or, in the treatment of restoration of health during convalescence. Its restoring effect is slow, longer period of administration is required.