Tu Bie Chong, also known as Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga or Wingless Cockroach, is a salty, cold, and strongly blood-activating insect used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to break up blood stasis, reduce masses, and promote the healing of sinews and bones. It is especially effective for treating trauma, abdominal masses, amenorrhea, and conditions involving severe stasis or tissue damage. Tu Bie Chong is considered one of the most powerful herbs for breaking stasis and promoting tissue regeneration.
Functions & Benefits
Breaks Blood Stasis & Reduces Masses
Tu Bie Chong strongly breaks up congealed blood and is used for fixed abdominal masses, amenorrhea, and chronic pain due to long-standing blood stasis. It is effective in gynecological disorders, post-traumatic injury, and surgical adhesions.
Promotes Healing of Sinews & Bones
This herb is used to promote the regeneration of tissue in bone fractures, torn ligaments, or chronic wounds that are slow to heal. It enhances recovery by moving blood and encouraging the repair of damaged tissues.
Treats Trauma & Stops Pain
Tu Bie Chong is commonly used in trauma formulas to reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and restore mobility in injuries involving broken bones, bruises, and tendon damage. It is especially valuable in cases where blood stasis has hardened into masses or fixed pain.
Reduces Swelling & Resolves Abscesses
It may also be used to help reduce swelling or abscesses associated with stasis and heat. Though not its primary action, its strong blood-activating effect can aid in dispersing localized inflammatory masses.
Indications
Fixed abdominal masses or tumors with blood stasis
Amenorrhea or menstrual pain due to obstruction from blood stagnation
Bone fractures, tendon injuries, or chronic wounds that are slow to heal
Severe trauma with bruising, swelling, and immobility
Chronic joint pain with stasis and fibrosis
Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis in TCM
Tongue: Dark or purplish with stasis spots or sublingual vein distention
Pulse: Choppy, wiry, or firm, often indicating deep blood stasis or tissue obstruction
Common TCM Patterns Treated by Tu Bie Chong
Tu Bie Chong treats Blood Stasis with Masses, Traumatic Injury with Bone and Sinew Damage, and Chronic Fixed Pain due to obstruction. These patterns involve deep tissue stasis, immobility, masses, or severe menstrual blockage.
Precautions & Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy due to its strong stasis-breaking action
Avoid in cases of bleeding disorders or those with weak constitution
Use with caution in patients with Qi or Blood Deficiency without obstruction
Not suitable for long-term use unless under professional supervision
Conclusion
Tu Bie Chong is on
