Slough of the Snake Skin (She' Tui)
Exuviae Sepentis
Pharmaceutical name: Exuviae Sepentis
Zoological name: Elaphe taeniurus, Cope E. carinata (Gunther),
Zaocys dhumnades (Cantor)
Family: colubridae
Found: throughout central and eastern China
The slough of the snake skin is made up of collagen. A good quality is thin, long, large, intact, and white. For a decoction you use 1.5-3g. but if taken directly as a powder only 0.3-0.6g are used.
This herb is also used for conditions caused by pathogenic Wind. It dispels wind and stops spasms. It is therefore useful in treating skin diseases and childhood convulsions and seizures. It also treats superficial visual obstruction such as pterygium or disorders of the cornea. It is also used as an application to treat hordeolum. The slough is soaked in vinegar and applied to the eye Within three days the inflammation of the sebaceous gland of the eyelid is cured.
The slough of the snake skin has been used in China for treating cysticercosis of the brain. This is a condition caused by tapeworm infestation. Within a few months the symptoms of headache, tremors, aphasia are improved. This herb must be taken long term to treat this condition.
It is also reported that mixing the slough with egg and applying the mixture to the swollen glands caused by mumps will alleviate symptoms within two days.
Chinese and Western Herbs are not to be taken without the personal advice of an Herbologist able to diagnose your condition. The information on these pages is only for knowledge not for self medication purposes.
