Zoological substancesWind-extinguishingScolopendra

Wu Gong (Centipede)

A practical guide to Wu Gong: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Scolopendra
Chinese Name & Pinyin	蜈蚣 · Wu Gong
Medicinal Part	Zoological substances
The item	Wu Gong is the dried body of a large centipede. Quan Xie (scorpion) and Jiang Can (stiff silkworm) are not this drug. Ma Lu (millipede) is a different animal — not interchangeable.
Nature and channels	Warm, acrid. Enters the Liver. Warm acrid settles wind, stops convulsions, unblocks the channels, and eases pain.
Pharmacopoeia line	Settles wind and stops convulsions; unblocks the channels and eases pain. Used for liver-wind convulsions and wind-damp blocked-channel pain.
Pattern cues	Childhood fright spasms. Tetanus-type muscle spasms. Twitching limbs. Stubborn joint pain. Stiffness and numbness. Worse with wind-damp and injury.
In this article	Wu Gong versus Quan Xie. Unblocking channels and easing pain versus settling wind and stopping convulsions. Why the dose stays small. Why it needs professional guidance. Why deficiency-dry bodies should skip it.

What Is Wu Gong?

Wu Gong (蜈蚣; Wú Gōng; Latin: Scolopendra; English: centipede) is the dried body of a large centipede of the centipede family, gathered in spring and summer, processed to lower its toxicity — the flat brown segmented bodies with a faint sharp smell that practitioners add to formulas when wind stirs the liver or blocked channels hold stubborn pain. It is warm, acrid, enters the Liver channel, and its core actions are to settle wind and stop convulsions, and to unblock the channels and ease pain. The usual amount is 1–3 g in a powder or decoction — small, because it is a strong-moving toxic medicinal material. It is not for home self-use; the processed piece only, and only under professional guidance.

It is not Quan Xie. Scorpion also settles wind and stops convulsions — it is neutral and acrid, with a gentler moving force, leaning to settling wind spasms; this centipede is warm and acrid, with a sharper channel-moving force, leaning to unblocking channels and easing stubborn pain. It is not a general spasm or pain herb; it acts within clear patterns. In yin-deficiency with blood dryness, or without wind, using it on your own is a poor match. Convulsions, tetanus-type spasms, or a markedly unwell child, needs a clinic first. Do not use it yourself for a long time.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Wind stirring convulsions — childhood fright spasms, tetanus-type muscle spasms, or limb twitching after stroke — seek care
Blocked-channel pain — stubborn joint pain, stiffness, numbness, worse with wind-damp and injury — seek care
Yin-deficiency with blood dryness, pregnancy, or nursing — skip it

Warm, acrid, and strongly moving, it is not a daily "channel-clearing tonic" to keep increasing. Moving when there is no wind or stasis, or in a deficient-dry body, consumes the qi-blood instead of helping.

When liver wind stirs — convulsions, twitching limbs — or when wind-damp blocks the channels with stubborn pain, the body needs a strong settle-and-unblock rather than a gentle hold. Wu Gong is warm, acrid, and strongly penetrating. It settles the liver wind, stops the convulsions, unblocks the channels, and eases the pain, which is why it appears in Zhi Jing San (Convulsion-Settling Powder)–type formulas. It moves more than it holds. In yin-deficiency with blood dryness, or without wind and stasis, more makes it worse.

Wu Gong is not a catch-all spasm or pain herb. In yin-deficiency with blood dryness, in pregnancy, or without wind and stasis, using it alone is a poor match. The dose, the processed form, and whether it belongs in a formula should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

Wu Gong: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Scolopendra

Botanical Origin

The dried body of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch. (Scolopendridae). Captured in spring and autumn, bamboo strips are inserted into the head and tail and the body is straightened, then dried.

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Hubei, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is dry, with intact body, red head and green body.

Macroscopic Features

Flat and long strip-like, 9~17cm long, 0.5~1cm wide. Whole body has 22 ring joints; last joint is slightly small and thin. Head has 2 dark red ring joints, with one pair of antenna and poison hooks; back is brownish-green or dark green, lustrous, with 2 longitudinal ridges; ventral side is pale yellow or brownish-yellow, wrinkled; each joint has one pair of legs from the second joint growing on the sides, yellow or reddish-brown, curved like hook. Brittle texture, fractured surface has cracks. Slightly fishy odor, distinctive odor and irritating to the nose, acrid and slightly salty taste.

Main Regions and Quality Identification

Classic texts and trade experience favor centipedes from several eastern provinces, but quality still depends on the species, harvest time, processing, and storage. The good piece shows a flat long strip, a dark red head, a glossy brown trunk, brittle and easy to break, with a cracked cross-section, a faint fishy smell, and a special sharp odor. The processed piece is darker, more crisp, and less irritating in smell. The common look-alike is the millipede — rounder segments, shorter legs, and a sour smell — clearly different in form and odor.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Acrid; Warm; ToxicLiver

1. Records in Classic Materia Medica

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing: lists the centipede in the lower class — "for possession-type illness and toxin, snake and insect poisons, and warm-malaria; drives out the three worms."
Ming Yi Bie Lu: adds — "for heart-abdomen cold-heat accumulations, and for driving out stagnant blood."
Ben Cao Gang Mu: clarifies — "for childhood fright convulsions, lockjaw at the navel, erysipelas, bald sores, scrofula, and swelling-toxin" — all circling the settle-wind, unblock-channel, and resolve-toxin actions.

2. How Views of Its Nature Changed

Some doctors lean on the settle-wind and stop-convulsion side, for childhood fright convulsions and twitching spasms; others stress the unblock-channel and ease-pain side, for limb pain from blocked channels; still others emphasize the resolve-toxin side for skin sores. The range shows a targeted scope — not for every complaint — and the use always adjusts to the specific pattern.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Extinguishes wind and subdues spasms, unblocks collaterals and stops pain, attacks toxin and dissipates nodules.

1. Main Use 1: Settling Wind and Stopping Convulsions

(1) Traditional action: settling the liver wind and easing spasms — for twitching and convulsions from wind stirring the body. (2) Typical patterns: childhood fright spasms, tetanus-type muscle spasms, or limb twitching after stroke. (3) Usual pairings: Quan Xie and Jiang Can to strengthen the wind-settling. (4) Not for self-use: yin-deficiency with blood dryness, or without external or internal wind — the acrid-moving nature may add to the dryness-heat.

2. Main Use 2: Unblocking the Channels and Easing Pain

(1) Traditional action: unblocking the channels and easing pain — for limb and joint pain and stiffness from blocked channels. (2) Typical patterns: wind-damp bi pain, pain after injury with blocked channels, or long-standing numbness and stiff joints. (3) Usual pairings: Du Huo and Niu Xi to strengthen the channel-unblocking and pain-easing. (4) Not for self-use: pregnancy and qi-blood-deficiency numbness — the moving nature may consume the qi-blood.

3. A Classic Pairing

Wu Gong pairs classically with Quan Xie: both settle wind, stop convulsions, unblock channels, and ease pain — the pair reinforces each other for childhood fright spasms and long-standing wind-damp bi pain. The pairing needs a practitioner's pattern diagnosis — never self-combine; the dose must stay controlled.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Constituents

Detected in the centipede are proteins, peptide-type substances, fatty acids, amino acids, and several trace minerals. In vitro, some constituents show anti-inflammatory-type activity; in animals, the extract shows some effect on improving limb circulation and easing spasms. No sufficient human clinical study yet defines the specific efficacy values.

2. Current Research Directions

Current work centers on the nervous-system and circulatory effects, plus the potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity — the peptide-type substances modulate the excitability of nerve cells in vitro, and the extract lengthens the seizure latency in animal models. Most of the work is on isolating and screening the active constituents and still needs human verification.

3. Limitations of Current Research

Lab results are not clinical efficacy — the human environment differs greatly from animals and cell cultures.
Extracts are not decoction pieces — the concentration and ratio of the constituents differ from the daily piece.
Doses and preparations vary between studies — results cannot be compared directly.
One component does not define the whole herb — the whole herb acts as a team of constituents.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. What They Share

Both settle wind, stop convulsions, unblock channels, and ease pain.
Both are used for childhood fright spasms and wind-damp bi pain.
Both need constitution and dose care — overuse may bring discomfort.

2. Key Differences

Nature and flavor: Wu Gong is warm and acrid, entering the Liver — with a stronger moving force; Quan Xie is neutral and acrid, entering the Liver — with a gentler moving force. Focus: Wu Gong leans to unblocking channels and easing pain — more marked for stubborn pain from blocked channels; Quan Xie leans to settling wind and stopping convulsions — more prominent for twitching spasms. Tendency: Wu Gong moves sharply — a draining-type channel-unblocking that can quickly ease the blockage; Quan Xie moves gently — a calming-type wind-settling with a milder effect. Best fit: Wu Gong for long-standing pain with severe channel blockage; Quan Xie for frequent twitching with strong wind. Who should avoid: Wu Gong — yin-deficiency with blood dryness, because the moving force is sharper; Quan Xie — relatively gentler and may fit slightly weaker constitutions with a genuine need, but still with care. Where you meet them: Wu Gong in stubborn bi pain and post-injury pain formulas; Quan Xie in childhood fright and post-stroke spasm formulas.

3. One-Line Takeaway

In short, Wu Gong leans to unblocking channels and easing pain; Quan Xie leans to settling wind and stopping convulsions. Both serve wind-settling channel patterns — but they are not stand-ins for each other.

Classical Formulas Containing Wu Gong

Classic Formula 1: Zhi Jing San

Role of this herb: in Zhi Jing San (Convulsion-Settling Powder), Wu Gong is a supporting herb, paired with Quan Xie and Jiang Can — the centipede's moving force strengthens the wind-settling of the pair for liver-wind twitching and spasms. Alone, the single herb cannot reach the formula's synergy. Traditional focus: childhood fright spasms, tetanus-type spasms, or post-stroke limb twitching. Modern note: professional diagnosis first — never self-apply the formula just because its name sounds related to a complaint.

Classic Formula 2: Wu Gong San

Role of this herb: in Wu Gong San (Centipede Powder), Wu Gong is the monarch — unblocking the channels — with Bai Zhi and Du Huo as supporting herbs strengthening the pain-easing for long-standing wind-damp bi pain. Alone, the single herb cannot reach the formula's synergy. Traditional focus: wind-damp bi pain and post-injury limb pain and stiffness from blocked channels. Modern note: professional diagnosis first — never self-apply blindly.

Formula vs. Single Herb

A formula is a coordinated whole — the pairings adjust the nature, strengthen the effect, and lower the toxicity; a single herb cannot reproduce the full effect. The dose and pairings have an overall design — splitting or swapping on your own may break the balance. The common misunderstanding is that a herb that works in a formula will work the same way alone — the single herb's action is limited and the dose is hard to control. Do not self-formulate from web articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Liniment (External Use Only)

Example — centipede wine (external use only): 1 processed centipede piece, 500 ml of high-proof liquor — soak the centipede in the liquor 15 days, filter, and apply the liquor externally to the painful joint area. Fit: local joint pain from wind-damp bi. Not for: pregnancy and broken skin. Frequency: a small amount rubbed on when pain flares; not frequent. Note: this uses the processed medicinal piece — not ordinary food, and never taken internally.

2. Decoction and Processing Differences

The raw piece has a stronger toxicity and irritation; the wine-processed or baked piece has a lower toxicity and less irritation, and is easier to use. The centipede needs no first-boiling step — at home, put it in with the other herbs; for external use, the processed piece can be soaked or ground into powder. Different forms (pieces, liquor) cannot be dose-converted directly — adjust by the way of use.

3. Dosage and How Long to Use

The classic range is 1–3 g; the external-use dose is far lower than an internal dose — never confuse the two. No long continuous use; for external use, keep each application small, and stop at once if the skin reddens or itches. Special groups should consult a practitioner or pharmacist first.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Yin-deficiency with blood dryness — the acrid-warm moving nature may worsen the dryness-heat, avoid; pregnancy and nursing — the moving force may affect the fetus or infant; children and the elderly — weaker tolerance, prone to discomfort; liver or kidney impairment — metabolism may add burden; allergy to arthropods — may react; people on anticoagulant or blood-pressure therapy — consult a doctor first.

2. Interactions and Diet Notes

Wu Gong may interact with anticoagulants and sedatives, affecting absorption or metabolism — those on such medicines should consult a doctor or pharmacist first. No blanket "food clash" between ordinary foods is established, but certain herbs may interact with specific medicines — daily food pairing needs no special worry; focus on medicine-herb interactions.

3. Side Effects and Overuse

Misuse may bring nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or skin itching. If marked discomfort, an allergic reaction, persistent vomiting, breathing difficulty, confusion, or a rapid worsening of symptoms occurs, stop at once and seek care — never delay.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wu Gong

What is Wugong? Is it the same as Quanxie or Dilong?

Wugong is the dried body of Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans, Latin name Scolopendra. It is a common Chinese medicine centered on extinguishing wind and settling spasms, unblocking collaterals and relieving pain, and attacking toxicity and dissipating binds. Quanxie extinguishes wind and settles spasms while unblocking collaterals. Dilong clears heat and settles fright while unblocking collaterals. They cannot be used interchangeably in equal amounts. Prescribe as Wugong. Use with caution in pregnancy.

What are the composition and effects of Wugong?

Pharmacopoeial name Wugong, Latin Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans L. Koch. Pungent in taste, warm in nature, toxic, enters the Liver meridian. Functions to extinguish wind and settle spasms, unblock collaterals and relieve pain, and attack toxicity and dissipate binds. Used for internal stirring of liver wind, spasms and convulsions, pediatric fright wind, wind-stroke with deviation of the mouth, hemiplegia, tetanus, wind-damp stubborn bi, sores and ulcers, scrofula, and venomous snake bites. Extinguishes wind and attacks toxicity.

How to choose between raw and processed? Can Quanxie replace it?

Dried body is used raw. Quanxie emphasizes unblocking collaterals rather than strongly attacking toxicity, and cannot replace it in equal amounts. Commercial products are standardized; do not adjust arbitrarily.

What is the dosage of Wugong? Can it be used daily as a toxicity-attacking tea?

Decoction, 3-5g. Modern use requires physician-determined dosage. It is not a year-round "Wugong tea." Toxic. Pregnancy will be further injured by prolonged use. Fright wind requires short-term, physician-determined dosage and cannot replace evaluation.

What are the contraindications of Wugong? Can pregnant women use it?

Toxic. Use with caution in pregnancy. Not suitable without wind-spasm. Stop if dry mouth or fatigue occur. Seek immediate medical care for severe fright wind or high fever.

Can Wugong extinguish wind, settle spasms, and attack toxicity?

It can assist internal stirring of liver wind, spasms and convulsions, pediatric fright wind, wind-stroke with deviation of the mouth, hemiplegia, tetanus, wind-damp stubborn bi, sores and ulcers, scrofula, and venomous snake bites. It extinguishes wind and settles spasms, unblocks collaterals and relieves pain, and attacks toxicity and dissipates binds, but is not a specific remedy for all fright wind or all sores and ulcers.

Can Wugong be taken daily as a toxicity-attacking or spasm-settling tea?

Internal stirring of liver wind can be used short-term in formulas; pregnancy will be further injured. The idea that "Wugong must attack toxicity" cannot replace evaluation. Extinguishing wind and settling spasms requires physician-determined formulation and dosage.

How to choose between Wugong, Quanxie, Dilong, Jiangcan, and Tianma?

Wugong extinguishes wind and attacks toxicity, suited to sores and ulcers. Quanxie extinguishes wind and unblocks collaterals. Dilong clears heat and unblocks collaterals. Jiangcan dispels wind and settles fright while transforming phlegm. Tianma calms the liver and extinguishes wind while stopping spasms. Choose Wugong for attacking toxicity; Quanxie for settling spasms; Dilong for unblocking collaterals; Jiangcan for transforming phlegm; Tianma for extinguishing wind. Pattern differentiation applies, but use with caution in large doses during pregnancy.

How is Wugong commonly modified? What is a representative usage?

Modifications depend on the pattern. Add Quanxie for sores and ulcers; add Tianma for fright wind. Specify Wugong; do not substitute Quanxie in equal amounts for attacking toxicity.

How to select and store Wugong?

Choose regular Chinese medicinal materials with intact dried bodies. Discard if moldy, damp, or abnormal in odor. Store in a dry place. Purchase "Wugong"; do not substitute Quanxie or Dilong in equal amounts for extinguishing wind, settling spasms, and attacking toxicity.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.