Limax flavus（Linnaeus）（黄蛞蝓）/Agriolimax agrestis（Linnaeus）（野蛞蝓）
Aliases：Ling Li, Tu Wo, Fu Wo, Yan You, Tuo Tai Chong, Kuo Wo, Bi Ti Chong, and Yan You Luo. (These are all alternative names for Kuò Yú, i.e., the slug Limax flavus or Agriolimax agrestis.)
Kuò Yú (Slug) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the whole body of Limax flavus (Linnaeus) or Agriolimax agrestis (Linnaeus), animals belonging to the family Limacidae. Commonly known as "鼻涕虫" (literally "nose mucus worm"), it is a mollusk belonging to the same pulmonate order as snails. It is hermaphroditic, with a moist, slimy body surface. It was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and calms convulsions, clears heat and removes toxicity, reduces swelling and alleviates pain.
Indications
Facial paralysis (deviation of the mouth and eyes), muscular spasms, infantile convulsions, wheezing, sore throat, acute pharyngitis, carbuncles and swellings, erysipelas, phlegm nodules, hemorrhoidal swelling and pain, and rectal prolapse.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effects: Slug suspension administered intragastrically to tumor‑bearing mice at a dose of 800 mg/kg showed significant inhibition against ARS sarcoma (ascites type) after 24 hours, with an inhibition rate of 47.4%; at a dose of 120 mg/kg, the 48‑hour inhibition rate reached 51.6%. The inhibition rate against Lewis lung carcinoma exceeded 30% at the 800 mg/kg dose. Slug suspension administered intragastrically to mice at doses of 600–1200 mg/kg for 7 days exhibited significant inhibitory effects on P388 lymphocytic leukemia, with the best effect observed at 900 mg/kg. In vitro experiments demonstrated that 0.6% slug extract significantly inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells (A549). Anti‑inflammatory effects: Slugs exhibit anti‑inflammatory effects, which are consistent with their traditional uses of clearing heat, removing toxicity, reducing swelling, and alleviating pain. Antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic effects: Slugs possess antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic pharmacological activities, and are clinically used for bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other conditions. Antioxidant and antiviral effects: Studies have shown that slugs exhibit antioxidant and antiviral activities.
Ingredients
Proteins and polysaccharides: Contains proteins, slug polysaccharides, etc. Sterols: Contains sterol compounds. Monoamines: Contains monoamine components. Volatile oils: Contains volatile oil components. Lectins: The whole body contains a specific lectin: sialic acid.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: bake until dry and grind into powder, or mash into pills; use 2–3 slugs. For topical application: grind into powder or mash for application; use 5–10 slugs.
Contraindications
According to Bencao Jingshu (Commentary on the Materia Medica Classic): "It should not be used by those without true wind‑heat; it should not be used in weak children prone to diarrhea." According to Depei Bencao (Materia Medica for Matching and Pairing): "It is incompatible with salt." It should be used with caution in those without true heat syndrome and in those with Spleen‑Stomach deficiency‑cold. Slugs may carry parasites (such as Angiostrongylus cantonensis). Internal use should be conducted under the guidance of a physician and should not be taken arbitrarily.
Selected Formulas
For infantile convulsion (empirical formula) Take 1 slug (Tingyou), add a little white sugar, crush and apply to the fontanelle of the child. Also use a needle to prick the Sifeng points. For asthma (empirical formula) Take 100 slugs, wash them, add an appropriate amount of Beimu (Fritillaria), grind together into a paste, and form into pills. Take 1.5g each time, twice daily. For bronchial asthma (empirical formula) Take 10 fresh slugs and 9g of Beimu (Fritillaria), grind together. Take 1.5g each time, twice daily. For tonsillitis (empirical formula) Take 2 slugs (washed) and 3 Wumei (smoked plum). Decoct in water and drink. For erysipelas and carbuncles (empirical formula) Take several live slugs, soak in vinegar, crush, add a little Bingpian (Borneol), and apply to the affected area. For hemorrhoids with heat, swelling, and pain (empirical formula) Take one large slug, grind into a paste, add a little Longnao (Borneol) and 0.5 qian of Yanzhi Pizi (a cosmetic pigment), and apply to the affected area. For chronic ulcers on the lower legs (empirical formula) Take 10 slugs, dry-roast on a tile, grind into powder, mix with oil, and apply. For burns and scalds (empirical formula) Take 10 slugs and an appropriate amount of sesame oil, place together in a glass bottle and soak. After the slugs dissolve, dip a duck feather in the liquid and apply to the affected area. Reapply after it dries. For amenorrhea with blood stasis and pain (empirical formula) Take slugs (vinegar-fried), grind into powder, soak in wine, and take 3g each time.
Medicinal Parts
It is the whole body of Limax flavus (Linnaeus) or Agriolimax agrestis (Linnaeus), animals belonging to the family Limacidae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
