Guang Earthworm

Chinese
广地龙
Pinyin
Guang Di Long
Latin
Pheretima aspergillum
Scientific specimen plate of Guang Earthworm, Pheretima aspergillum, showing premium dried body, annulations, clitellum, and diagnostic earthworm details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Guang Di Long (广地龙), this salty, cold herb enters the Bladder, Liver, Lung, and Spleen. Traditionally, it opens channels and collaterals - Guang Di Long is the premium-grade earthworm source long favored when post-stroke numbness, hemiplegia, painful obstruction, or channel blockage need a strong penetrating animal medicine, most often applied for stroke, wheezing, and joint pain. Modern research has identified Lumbrokinase among its active constituents.

Also Known As

Pheretima

Latin: Pheretima aspergillum | Pinyin: Guang Di Long | Chinese: 广地龙

TCM Properties

Taste
salty
Temperature
cold
Channels
Bladder, Liver, Lung, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Opens channels and collaterals - Guang Di Long is the premium-grade earthworm source long favored when post-stroke numbness, hemiplegia, painful obstruction, or channel blockage need a strong penetrating animal medicine.
  • Clears Lung heat and calms wheezing - like Di Long generally, it is used for dyspnea, stubborn cough, and wheeze when heat and obstruction bind the Lung.
  • Clears heat, extinguishes internal wind, and promotes urination - it can be chosen for spasms, red swollen painful joints, edema, or difficult urination when heat is part of the pattern.

Secondary Actions

  • Guang Di Long specifically refers to the Guangdong-grade Pheretima aspergillum source, traditionally regarded as superior in authenticity and clinical strength.
  • Modern quality control work focuses heavily on authentication because Guang Di Long is frequently adulterated with lower-value earthworm materials.

Classic Formulas

  • Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang - a standard post-stroke formula in which Guang Di Long may be selected as the highest-quality channel-opening earthworm source.
  • Guang Di Long with Ma Huang and Xing Ren - a traditional approach for Lung-heat wheezing and difficult breathing.
  • Guang Di Long with heat-clearing and blood-invigorating herbs - used historically for red, swollen, painful obstruction and channel heat.

Classical References

  • Chinese pharmacopoeial tradition distinguishes Guang-type and other Pheretima sources but preserves the same core functions of clearing heat, stopping spasms, and opening the channels.
  • The designation Guang Di Long historically reflects daodi sourcing and quality preference rather than a totally different therapeutic category from Di Long.
  • Its premium status is one reason authentication remains a major modern issue in the market.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Lumbrokinase and related fibrinolytic enzymes - major protein fractions associated with antithrombotic research
  • Nucleosides such as hypoxanthine and inosine - important chemical markers in Guang Di Long quality-control studies
  • Peptide and protein fractions - broader bioactive material investigated in antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory work
  • Trace minerals and other matrix constituents - relevant to safety and quality assessment

Studied Effects

  • Pheretima aspergillum improved neurologic recovery in a rat middle-cerebral-artery occlusion model, supporting the continued association of Guang Di Long with stroke and collateral-opening research (PMID 24082328).
  • Recent clinical-interest literature on lumbrokinase supports ongoing stroke and thrombosis research, but standardized product quality remains a limiting issue for translation into routine care (PMID 40933244).
  • Authentication and contamination studies show that modern Guang Di Long research is as much about confirming identity and market safety as about pharmacology alone.

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Cold deficiency patterns without heat or obstruction
  • Known allergy to animal-derived medicines
  • Active bleeding disorders without close supervision

Cautions

  • Guang Di Long quality varies widely in commerce, and authentication matters because adulteration is common.
  • Coagulation effects and contamination concerns, including heavy metals in some market samples, warrant more caution than its common-label simplicity suggests.
  • MSK page not found - drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Drug Interactions

  • Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs - theoretical additive bleeding risk
  • Fibrinolytic or thrombolytic medications - theoretical additive clot-dissolving effect

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Guang Earthworm used for?

Guang Earthworm is traditionally used to Opens channels and collaterals - Guang Di Long is the premium-grade earthworm source long favored when post-stroke numbness, hemiplegia, painful obstruction, or channel blockage need a strong penetrating animal medicine., Clears Lung heat and calms wheezing - like Di Long generally, it is used for dyspnea, stubborn cough, and wheeze when heat and obstruction bind the Lung., Clears heat, extinguishes internal wind, and promotes urination - it can be chosen for spasms, red swollen painful joints, edema, or difficult urination when heat is part of the pattern.. Research has investigated its effects on: Pheretima aspergillum improved neurologic recovery in a rat middle-cerebral-artery occlusion model, supporting the continued association of Guang Di Long with stroke and collateral-opening research (PMID 24082328).; Recent clinical-interest literature on lumbrokinase supports ongoing stroke and thrombosis research, but standardized product quality remains a limiting issue for translation into routine care (PMID 40933244)..

What are other names for Guang Earthworm?

Guang Earthworm is also known as Pheretima. In TCM: 广地龙 (Guang Di Long); Pheretima aspergillum.

Is Guang Earthworm safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Guang Earthworm during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.

What are the contraindications for Guang Earthworm?

Guang Earthworm should not be used in: Cold deficiency patterns without heat or obstruction; Known allergy to animal-derived medicines; Active bleeding disorders without close supervision. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Does Guang Earthworm interact with any medications?

Guang Earthworm may interact with: Anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs - theoretical additive bleeding risk; Fibrinolytic or thrombolytic medications - theoretical additive clot-dissolving effect. Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.