Dilong (Earthworm) (White-necked) (Long, thin, curved strips, earthy brown, with many obvious segments, white neck is shiny, tough and leathery, not easily broken)

Dilong (Earthworm) Grade 1 (Top) General Goods (Bottom)

【Naming】

Dilong (Earthworm)

 【Source】

Lower Grade in Classic of Herbal Medicine

 【Commonly Used Level】

C

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried whole body of Pheretima asiatica Michaelsen or Allolbophora caliginosa Trapezozoides, belonging to Megascolecidae.

 【Characteristics】

Cylindrical in shape, with a greyish-brown or earthy-grey outer skin. Often twisted, the body has numerous obvious segments. When broken, the body may contain soil. The flesh is thin and has a fishy smell, with a slightly salty and earthy taste. Mature animals have a light-colored band, which is their reproductive band, called the white-necked earthworm.

 【Identification】

“Elbow Reserve Emergency Formulas”: “Large earthworms are called Huanglong Tang, the older the better.” “Materia Medica Supplement and Elucidation”: “When using earthworms, the white-necked ones that die naturally are good.” “Prescriptions for Universal Relief”: “Fresh Dilong (Earthworm) is good.” “Prescriptions for Universal Relief”: “Dilong (Earthworm) with white color and little mud is good.” “Prescriptions for Universal Relief”: “Large earthworms…the older the better.” “Collection of Medical Formulas”: “When using Dilong (Earthworm), those that are like coins are good.” “Jiang Xue Yuan Ancient Formula Selections”: “Dilong (Earthworm) from chive fields are good.” “Discernment of Good and Bad”: “After drying in the shade, those that are long and unbroken, without earthy smell, and tall in shape are the best.”
Those that are large, dry, shiny, plump, and have thick flesh, with mud and internal organs removed, are good.

 【Identification Terminology】

1. White Neck: Refers to the 14th to 16th segments of the earthworm’s head, which are yellowish-white in color and are the reproductive clitellum, commonly known as “white neck.”
Guang Dilong (Earthworm) has been dissected and processed into flat, curved strips; Tu Dilong (Earthworm) has not been dissected and is thin and cylindrical. The shape difference is large, making it easy to distinguish. The three types of Dilong (Earthworm) produced in Shanghai are similar in shape to Guang Dilong (Earthworm) and are newly developed varieties.

 【Category】

Invertebrates