Ma Lu (Millipede) Dried Herb — Traditional Chinese Medicinal Material, 500g

Ma Lu (马陆), also known as Qian Zu Chong (千足虫, "thousand-legged worm") or Bai Jie Chong (百节虫, "hundred-jointed worm"), is the dried body of a millipede used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a lesser-known medicinal material. In TCM it is classified as a wind-extinguishing, collateral-unblocking, and mass-resolving herb, traditionally used in the context of internal wind, spasms, and stubborn accumulations. Its nature is warm and its flavor is pungent, giving it a dispersing, moving character suited to traditional formula work.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional TCM medicinal material (中药材)
• Known as Ma Lu, Qian Zu Chong, Bai Jie Chong
• Dried whole millipede, 500g pack
• Custom grinding service available (代打粉)
• Sourced from broad domestic origins

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is dried to preserve a dark brown to greyish-brown body color, a segmented, slightly brittle texture, and a faint earthy, insect-like aroma. When decocted, it yields a dark, mildly pungent infusion with a subtle earthy taste, typically combined with other herbs in traditional formulas rather than used alone.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoction formulas
• Custom grinding into powder (代打粉)
• Herbal pairing in TCM formula work
• External traditional applications under professional guidance

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Ma Lu is decocted into formulas alongside other wind-extinguishing and collateral-unblocking herbs, or ground into powder for traditional preparations. It is a cold-back (冷背) medicinal material, meaning it is a lesser-used herb kept in stock by traditional pharmacies and practitioners rather than a daily household ingredient. It is not a food herb and is not used in soups, teas, or congee.

FAQ Q&A