Cicada Cordyceps, Chan Hua Chong Cao, 蝉花虫草

Chan Hua Chong Cao, Jin Chan Chong Cao (TCM)

Cicada Cordyceps for sale at the Chengdu Market (Adam, 2018)

Cicada Cordyceps (Adam, 2025)

Entomological name:

Cryptotympana pustulata infected with Cordyceps
Various other species have been used including Cicada flammata

Parts used:

Whole dried Cicada infected with Cordyceps

Temperature & Taste:

Cold, dry.

Constituents:

Polysaccharides (21%), 16 Amino acids (19%), adenosine (0.05%), (Cordycepin (0.005%)

Uses:

1. Clears Wind and Heat, Stops Spasms, Calms the Mind:

-childhood convulsions, Epilepsy from Fright
-Nightcrying, Insomnia and Restlessnes in children
-Palpitations
-Shock

2. Clears the Sight:

-good for superficial visual obstruction

3. Similar to Cordyceps:

-Modern research has shown similar constituents and benefits to Cordyceps Dong Chong Xia Cao.
-Anti-fatigue

Dose:

Decoction: 2–3 pieces for Children, 5–8 for adults
Powder: 500mg–1 gram
They can be filled in a bottle, covered with alcohol to make a tincture. A small cupful is taken as a dose.
Added to health-tonic soups in China, often cooked with Chicken or Duck

Substitute:

1. Traditionally used similarly to Cicada Slough.
2. More recently, they have been regarded as similar to Cordyceps Dong Chong Xia Cao, having similar composition including cordycepin.

Main Combinations:

1. Nightcrying in Children, Cicada Cordyceps, White Dead Silkworm, Licorice

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used:

Cicada Cordyceps is said to have been known as a medicine in China 800 years before Cordyceps Dong Chong Xia Cao.

1. Anti-pyretic: significantly reduced Fever 2 hours after administration
2. Analgesic: significant effect in animal experiments
3. Improves immunity
4. Anti-fatigue
5. Renoprotective
6. Hepatoprotective
7. Improves sleep, Sedative and Hypnotic effects; significantly prolonged sleep time
8. Anti-tumor
9. Anti-radiation
10. Improves eyesight.

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