Ophisauri Caro
Aliases：Jīn Shé (Golden Snake), Dì Xiān (Earth Immortal), Xiē Shé (Scorpion Snake), Yín Shé (Silver Snake), Jīn Xīng Dì Shàn (Golden Star Earth Eel), Jīn Xīng Shàn (Golden Star Eel), Piàn Shé (Slice Snake), Shé Xī (Snake Lizard), Wú Jiǎo Xī (Legless Lizard), Suì Shé (Broken Snake), Shān Huáng Shàn (Mountain Yellow Eel), Xiǎo Ní Qiū (Small Loach), Xī Shé (Tin Snake).
Cuì Shé is a traditional Chinese medicinal material derived from the dried whole body of Ophisaurus harti Boulenger (also known as Dopasia harti) or Ophisaurus gracilis (Gray), animals belonging to the family Anguidae (genus Ophisaurus or Dopasia). Although it resembles a snake in appearance, it is actually a limb-reduced lizard, often mistaken for a snake. Its tail is extremely long, approximately twice the length of its body, and can be easily broken off in several pieces when threatened, with the ability to regenerate afterwards, hence the name “Cuì Shé” (Brittle Snake) or “Suì Shé” (Broken Snake). It commonly lives in mountain grasslands, under rocks, or in loose fertile soil at altitudes of 500–1500 meters.
Efficacy & Actions
Activates blood circulation and dispels wind; detoxifies and reduces swelling. It is also recorded as having the effects of dispersing stasis, dispelling wind, reducing swelling, detoxifying, relaxing the sinews and unblocking the collaterals, and promoting bone healing and sinew repair.
Indications
Indicated for traumatic injuries, bone fractures, leprosy, rheumatic pain, chronic dysentery, infantile malnutrition (Xiao Ji), and carbuncles and sores. In addition, it may also be used for joint swelling and pain, neuralgia, and dizziness and vertigo.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects: Its extract shows a 62.3% inhibition rate on swelling in collagen-induced arthritis model rats, validating the scientific basis of the traditional “dispelling wind and removing dampness” efficacy. Various alkaloids and enzymes contained in Cuì Shé have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Antibacterial effects: The aqueous distillate shows inhibitory effects against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Androgenic effects: The extract exhibits androgenic effects. Antithrombotic effects. Immunomodulatory effects: Contains proteins, amino acids, and other components that help repair damaged tissues and enhance immune function.
Ingredients
Cuì Shé mainly contains proteins, amino acids, fats, enzymes, and various alkaloids, among other components. In addition, it also contains total flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, polysaccharides, polyphenols, volatile oils, and other components.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: Decoct in water, 10–15 g. Grind into powder, 3–9 g. Or steep in wine for consumption. For external use: Apply an appropriate amount as an ointment or grind into powder and sprinkle on the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution in patients without wind-dampness and blood stasis stagnation.
Selected Formulas
For traumatic injury and fracture (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica) Take Cuishe (a limbless lizard), Ruxiang (Frankincense), Moyao (Myrrh), and Zirantong (Pyrite). Grind into powder and take orally. For rheumatic pain (Chinese Animal Medicines) Take 5 Cuishe and soak in 500ml of white liquor for 10 days. Drink 5–10ml each time, twice daily. For chronic dysentery (Shengji Zonglu, Jinxing Shan San) Take 0.5 liang each of Jinxing Shan (Cuishe, fried with butter), Baifan (Alum), and Qiandan (Lead oxide). Grind into powder. Take 3 qian each time with rice water before meals. For infantile malnutrition (gan) (Guangxi Medicinal Animals) Take 1 Suishe (Cuishe), remove the head, skin, and internal organs, steam with lean pork, and eat. Take 1 piece daily for 4 days. For malnutrition and dizziness (Chinese Animal Medicines) Take Cuishe, remove the head, dry-roast on a tile until charred, grind into fine powder. Take 10g each time with boiling water, twice daily. For traumatic bleeding (Guangxi Medicinal Animals) Take equal amounts of Suishe and Feilongzhangxue (Toddalia asiatica root bark), grind together into powder, and sprinkle over the wound.
Daily Consumption
Wine infusion for oral administration: Cuì Shé may be steeped in white wine to make a medicinal wine and consumed in moderation. Steaming for consumption (for infantile malnutrition/Xiao Ji): Take one piece of Suì Shé (Cuì Shé), remove the head, skin, and internal organs, and steam it together with lean pork for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole body.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place. Protect from moisture and insects.
