Snake Slough (She Tui) (Cylindrical, semi-transparent membrane, flattened and wrinkled, dorsal side silver-greyish brown, glossy rhomboid semi-transparent scales, ventral side milky white-yellow, light, pliable and elastic)
【Naming】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica, Lower Grade
【Frequency of Use】
D
【Botanical Origin】
The dried slough of Elaphe taeniurus Cope., Elaphe carinata Guenther, or Zaocys dhumnades Contor, and other species of the same genus.
【Characteristics】
It is a cylindrical, semi-transparent membrane, often flattened or slightly wrinkled, or broken into pieces. Complete ones can be over 1m long. The dorsal side is silver-grey with glossy rhomboid or oval semi-transparent scales. The ventral side is milky white or slightly yellowish, with rectangular scales arranged in an overlapping pattern. It is light and soft, easily broken, and feels smooth to the touch. It has a slightly fishy odor and a bland or slightly salty taste.
【Identification】
Yi Fang Lei Ju: “The ones containing broad Photinia serratifolia are good.” Compendium of Materia Medica: “It is best to take the complete ones on the stone.” Ben Cao Qiu Zhen: “The ones that are as white as silver are good.” Yan Fang Xin Bian: “The skin of the snake slough (She Tui) on the high wall, with the head facing down, is good.” Qi Fang Lei Bian: “Snake slough (She Tui), the complete one is good.” Difficult Labor and Childbirth Promotion Formulas: “Take a strip of snake slough (She Tui) from a high wall, with the head facing down, is good.” The best ones are long, complete, free of mud, dry, white, shiny, and have not been exposed to rain.
【Category】
Vertebrates