Zoological substancesExterior-releasingCicadae Periostracum
Chan Tui (Cicada Moulting)
蟬蛻 · Chan Tui
Exterior-releasing herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional functions: Scatters wind and eliminates heat, benefits the throat, vents rashes, relieves eye screens, resolves tetany.
Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Cicadae Periostracum |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 蟬蛻 · Chan Tui |
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| Medicinal Part | Zoological substances |
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| Efficacy Category | Exterior-releasing |
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| Botanical Origin | The sloughed exoskeleton left behind after of Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius underfoes metamorphosis (Cicadidae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet; Cold |
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| Channels Entered | Lung, Liver |
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What Is Chan Tui?
Chan Tui (Cicada Moulting) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shandong.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet; Cold
Channels Entered: Lung, Liver
Chan Tui: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Cicadae Periostracum
Botanical Origin
The sloughed exoskeleton left behind after of Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius underfoes metamorphosis (Cicadidae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shandong.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is intact, yellow and shiny.
Macroscopic Features
Shaped like a hollow cicada, slightly curved. About 4cm long, 2cm wide. Externally yellowish-brown, translucent and lustrous. Head has one pair of antennae which have mostly broken and fallen; projected compound eyes and apex of neck; snout is advanced, upper lip is wide and short, lower lip is lengthened to pipe-shape. Back surface of thorax has a cross-shaped fissure, the fissure opening is curled inward; on the two sides of the back there are 2 sets of small wings; abdomen has 3 pairs of legs with yellowish-brown thin hair. Abdomen is blunt and round, 9 segments. Light and membranous, hollow, easily crushed texture; faint odor; taste bland.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet; ColdLungLiver
Traditional Functions
Scatters wind and eliminates heat, benefits the throat, vents rashes, relieves eye screens, resolves tetany. Apply to win-hot cold, throat pain, hoarse voice, rashes, rubella, red eyes and eye screen, convulsion, tetanus.
How Chan Tui Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Chan Tui is classified among the Exterior-releasing herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Classical Formulas Containing Chan Tui
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chan Tui? Are Jiang Can and Bo He the same?
Official Chan Tui (蝉蜕) is the slough shed by the nymph of Cryptotympana pustulata when it emerges. The pharmacopoeial name is Cicadae Periostracum. It is also called cicada shell. Jiang Can is the silkworm killed by Beauveria: salty-acrid and neutral, extinguishes wind, stops spasm, dispels wind, stops pain, transforms phlegm and disperses nodules. Bo He is acrid-cool: disperses wind-heat, clears the head and eyes, benefits the throat and vents rash. Write Chan Tui. Use caution when the exterior is deficient and there is no wind-heat.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Chan Tui?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Chan Tui is sweet and cold, enters the Lung and Liver channels, and acts to disperse wind-heat, benefit the throat, vent rash, brighten the eyes, remove nebula and relieve spasm. It is used for wind-heat cold, sore throat and hoarseness, measles failing to erupt, wind-rash itch, red eyes with nebula, fright wind with convulsions, and tetanus. Sweet, cold and light, it suits wind-heat and itchy rash—not exterior vacuity without a pathogen, or Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
How do you choose Chan Tui versus Jiang Can? Can Bo He replace it?
Cicada slough is light, vents rash, benefits the throat and removes nebula. Stiff silkworm extinguishes wind, stops spasm, transforms phlegm and disperses nodules more strongly. Mint disperses wind-heat; it cannot replace relieving spasm and removing nebula by equal weight. Commercial cicada tea is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Chan Tui
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Chan Tui.
Read the Chan Tui Guide →
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.
