Cockroach
蟑螂 · Zhāng Láng
Helps the body break down stubborn masses
Properties
CoolingCooling botanicalSalty
Concerns
What it does
Cockroach extract breaks down hard tissue masses, helps with childhood malnutrition that causes belly distention, and resolves toxic infections like throat abscesses. In TCM, the salty taste softens hard accumulations while the cold nature clears heat-toxin. Modern Chinese hospitals use Periplaneta extract (sold as Kang Fu Xin) for ulcers, burns, and tissue regeneration.
How to take it
Hospital-grade extracts (Kang Fu Xin Ye) are typically applied topically to wounds, ulcers, or burns. Internal forms (capsules, syrup) used at practitioner direction.
Look for hospital-grade Kang Fu Xin formulations, not raw preparations
Safety
- Animal-derived. Skip if you have insect or shellfish allergies
- Modern pharmaceutical extracts are generally safer than raw preparations
- Skip during pregnancy
- Topical hospital products are well-studied. Internal use less so
- Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
American cockroach extract (Periplaneta americana) is one of the few insect-derived TCM remedies that has crossed into mainstream Chinese hospital use. Sold as Kang Fu Xin Ye, it's an FDA-equivalent approved product in China for treating burns, ulcers, and surgical wounds. Six clinical trials have explored its tissue-regenerative effects. The cockroach is farmed at industrial scale, with one farm in Sichuan reportedly housing six billion insects.