Identification & Quality Standard
Zaocys
Botanical Origin
The dried body of Zaocys dhumnades (Cantor).(Colubridae). Generally captured in summer and autumn, the abdomen is cut open or skinned while retaining the head and tail, discarded the internal organs, wound into a round coil and then dried.
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Shandong, Jiangxi, Zhejiang.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is dry, with black-brown skin, yellowish-white flesh, ridges on the back spine, firm texture.
Macroscopic Features
Round coiled shape, diameter of coil is 16cm. Externally black-brown or greenish-black, densely covered in rhombus-shaped scales; even number of rows of back scales, 2~4 rows of center back scales are strongly ridged, forming 2 rows of longitudinal black lines through the whole body. Head is wound in the center, flat spherical, big and indented eyes, lustrous. Upper lip has 8 scales, 4th and 5th scale are inside the orbital cavity, one cheek scale, one scale below the eye, which is relatively small, 2 scales behind the eye. Spine is bulging to roof-like in shape, also called "sword spine." Abdomen is cut open and the edge is rolled inward, thick spiny flesh, yellowish-white or pale brown, can see fine ribs. Tail is gradually thin and long. 2 rows of scales below the tail. Skinned snake only has scales on head and tail, middle portion is relatively smooth. Fishy odor, bland taste.
