Kuòyú Dried Slug (Limax/Limacus) — Traditional Chinese Herbal Material, Whole Dried Form

Kuòyú Dried Slug (蛞蝓), also known in folk Chinese herbal tradition as Bí Tì Chóng (鼻涕虫) or Yán Yóu (蜒蚰), is the dried whole body of a soft-bodied mollusk used as a traditional Chinese herbal material. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Kuòyú has been recorded as a cooling, phlegm-transforming, and wind-extinguishing herb, traditionally used in formulas addressing heat, swelling, and internal wind patterns. Its nature is cold and its flavor is salty, giving it a descending, clearing character in classical herbal practice.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional Chinese herbal material (中药材)
• Dried whole-body form, clean and uniform
• Known in folk practice as Bí Tì Chóng and Yán Yóu
• Available in bulk 500g and 250g pack sizes
• Can be custom-ground to powder upon request

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is carefully dried to preserve a uniform grayish-brown to pale tan color, with a firm, slightly leathery texture and a mild, faintly marine aroma characteristic of dried mollusk material. When decocted, it yields a light, subtly salty infusion with a clean, neutral taste, blending quietly into multi-herb formulas without dominating the brew.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional multi-herb decoction formulas
• Custom herbal powder blending
• Classical TCM formula preparation
• Herbal material for practitioner use
• Bulk herbal ingredient sourcing

Traditional Uses

In classical Chinese herbal practice, Kuòyú is decocted into multi-herb formulas, often paired with herbs that clear heat, transform phlegm, or calm internal wind. Folk records describe it being used in decoctions for swelling, heat-related patterns, and wind disturbances, and it appears in older regional formulas alongside herbs such as scorpion, centipede, and prunella. In daily folk practice, it is typically prepared as part of a larger decoction rather than used alone, and is sometimes ground into powder for inclusion in custom herbal blends.

FAQ Q&A