Tǔ Biē Chóng (土鳖虫) — ground beetle
Information only — not used or prescribed at this clinic. This page documents a traditional animal-derived substance for reference and education. I do not use or prescribe any animal products. Every formula I prescribe is built entirely from plant and mineral herbs.
Although it may be used by some practitioners, I do not prescribe any animal-derived substances.
Plant and mineral alternatives I use instead include Tao Ren, Hong Hua and Xu Duan.
On this page
1. Overview
Tǔ Biē Chóng (土鳖虫) — ground beetle (Eupolyphaga) — is a traditional animal-derived substance of the Chinese Materia Medica, historically placed in the category of herbs that invigorate Blood. It is described here for information and reference only. I do not use or prescribe Tǔ Biē Chóng or any other animal product; I prescribe plant and mineral herbs in their place, matched to each patient's TCM pattern.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Tǔ Biē Chóng |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 土鳖虫 |
| Source | ground beetle (Eupolyphaga) |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Salty |
| Channels entered | Liver |
| Traditional category | Invigorate Blood |
3. Traditional actions and indications
In classical Chinese herbal texts, Tǔ Biē Chóng was traditionally described as follows. This is historical and educational information, not a recommendation to use it.
Traditional actions
- Breaks up Blood stasis
- Promotes the knitting of fractured bones
Traditional indications
- Blood stasis with masses
- Traumatic injury and fractures
4. Plant and mineral alternatives
In my practice I use plant and mineral herbs in place of Tǔ Biē Chóng, chosen to achieve the same clinical aim within a balanced formula. Commonly used alternatives include Tao Ren, Hong Hua and Xu Duan. The right choice always depends on the individual TCM pattern identified in consultation. Read more about Chinese herbal medicine or book an online herbal consultation.
5. Why it is not prescribed
Although Tǔ Biē Chóng may be used by some practitioners, I do not prescribe any animal-derived substances; plant and mineral herbs are used instead. All Chinese herbs should be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist registered with the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM), which prohibits the use of endangered species. Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council and does not use animal products of any kind.
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