Sāng Piāo Xiāo (桑螵蛸), known in English as Mantis egg case (Tenodera sinensis (egg case)), is a neutral, sweet and salty Chinese herb from the Stabilise & bind category. It enters the Liver and Kidney channels. Its main action: secures essence, reduces urination.
| Pinyin | Sāng Piāo Xiāo (Sang Piao Xiao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 桑螵蛸 |
| English | Mantis egg case |
| Botanical name | Tenodera sinensis (egg case) |
| Category | Stabilise & bind |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Salty |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney |
| Dosage | 5–10g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; frequent urination from Bladder Heat |
Actions
- Secures essence, reduces urination
- Tonifies Kidney, assists Yang
Indications
- Spermatorrhoea
- Enuresis and frequent urination
- Turbid urine
How to remember Sāng Piāo Xiāo
Stabilise & bind herbs are mostly astringent and sweet, and most enter the Kidney channel.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Stabilise & bind herbs
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Stabilise & bind herbs vary in nature
- Salty: unusual for Stabilise & bind herbs (most are astringent or sweet)
- Liver channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Sāng Piāo Xiāo
Other Stabilise & bind herbs
- Wǔ Wèi Zǐ
- Shān Zhū Yú
- Jīn Yīng Zǐ
- Qiàn Shí
- Lián Zǐ
- Fú Xiǎo Mài
- Wū Méi
- Ròu Dòu Kòu
- Hē Zǐ
- Chì Shí Zhī
- Chūn Pí
- Fù Pén Zǐ
- Hǎi Piāo Xiāo
- Lián Xū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Sāng Piāo Xiāo?
Sāng Piāo Xiāo is neutral and sweet and salty.
Which channels does Sāng Piāo Xiāo enter?
Sāng Piāo Xiāo enters the Liver and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Sāng Piāo Xiāo?
Secures essence, reduces urination; Tonifies Kidney, assists Yang.
What is Sāng Piāo Xiāo used for?
Spermatorrhoea; enuresis and frequent urination; turbid urine.
Which formulas contain Sāng Piāo Xiāo?
Tù Sī Wán.
Practise Sāng Piāo Xiāo 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.