Chán Tuì (蝉蜕), known in English as Cicada moulting (Cryptotympana pustulata (slough)), is a cold, sweet Chinese herb from the Release exterior (Heat) category. It enters the Lung and Liver channels. Its main action: disperses Wind-Heat, benefits throat.
| Pinyin | Chán Tuì (Chan Tui) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 蝉蜕 |
| English | Cicada moulting |
| Botanical name | Cryptotympana pustulata (slough) |
| Category | Release exterior (Heat) |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Lung, Liver |
| Dosage | 3–6g |
| Cautions | Pregnancy (use with caution) |
Actions
- Disperses Wind-Heat, benefits throat
- Vents rashes, relieves itching
- Brightens eyes, removes superficial visual obstruction
- Extinguishes Wind, stops spasms
Indications
- Wind-Heat with sore throat and hoarse voice
- Measles that will not vent
- Urticaria and itching
- Red eyes and corneal opacity
- Childhood convulsions and night crying
- Tetanus
How to remember Chán Tuì
Release exterior (Heat) herbs are mostly cool or cold, acrid and sweet, and most enter the Lung and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Cold, Sweet, Lung channel: like most Release exterior (Heat) herbs
- Liver channel: from its action “Brightens eyes”
Formulas containing Chán Tuì
Other Release exterior (Heat) herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Chán Tuì?
Chán Tuì is cold and sweet.
Which channels does Chán Tuì enter?
Chán Tuì enters the Lung and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Chán Tuì?
Disperses Wind-Heat, benefits throat; Vents rashes, relieves itching; Brightens eyes, removes superficial visual obstruction; Extinguishes Wind, stops spasms.
What is Chán Tuì used for?
Wind-Heat with sore throat and hoarse voice; measles that will not vent; urticaria and itching; red eyes and corneal opacity; childhood convulsions and night crying; tetanus.
Which formulas contain Chán Tuì?
Xiāo Fēng Sǎn.
Practise Chán Tuì and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.