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Photo of Grub

Grub

蛴螬 · Qí Cáo

Practitioner-only herb for severe trauma stasis

Properties

NeutralNeutral botanicalSalty

What it does

Grub breaks up stagnant blood and tissue after severe trauma, helping fracture-related stasis, post-injury swelling, and stubborn amenorrhea from blood blockage. In TCM, it activates blood and supports healing. It's also used for tetanus and erysipelas. Extremely toxic, reserved for serious cases under practitioner control.

How to take it

Capsule

Used only by practitioners in tiny doses (1.5–3g) of processed grub powder, typically in formulas with other blood-movers. Single-use for acute trauma, not chronic.

Avoid self-use entirely. Modern alternatives are far safer

Safety

  • Extremely toxic. Strictly practitioner-only
  • Animal-derived. Skip if you have insect allergies
  • Strictly avoid during pregnancy. Strong abortifacient
  • Strong blood-mover. Skip with anticoagulants or bleeding disorders
  • Talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you take medication

Where it comes from

Grub refers to the dried larva of various beetle species (Holotrichia diomphalia and others) that develop in soil. In TCM, it's been documented for over 2,000 years as a blood-moving remedy alongside leech, gadfly, and cockroach. The grub larvae are typically harvested in the warm months, dried, and processed before use. Modern TCM uses it sparingly, given its extreme toxicity rating and the availability of safer blood-movers.