Meet the Herbs: Wu Shao She

Chinese: 乌 蛸 蛇
Pin Yin: Wu Shao She
Pharmaceutical: Zaocys dhumnades
English: Black snake
Vietnamese: Rắn Cạp

Snakes are generally used to dispel wind-damp and open the channels and collaterals. Soaked in liquor, the herb can be taken as shots everyday to help with aches and pains of the muscles and joints. A study noted in Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology cites that an alcohol extract at 40mg/kg proved to have an analgesic effect on rats.

It can also be used for wind-damp in the skin by grinding it into a fine powder and eating it with a bit of honey to cut the stink.

Nature and Science: Huge Snake

From the Nature + Science files, we bring you the story of this huge snake: 43 feet from stem to stern, 2500 pounds of no-legged crocodile-eating power.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, snakes and snake skin are often used to treat rheumatism, aching joints, and skin problems.