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Silkworm Cocoon

Abresham (Unani)
Za og bsregs thal (Burnt Silk, Tibetan)

Above: Silkworm Cocoon,
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Right: Raw Silkworm Cocoon with
insect removed (Adam, 2016)

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Entomological name:
Bombyx mori and related species

Parts used:
1. Raw Silkworm cocoon that hasn't been boiled, with the Silkworm removed
2. Burnt Silkworm cocoon

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Sweet

Uses:
1. Calms the Mind and Spirit, Benefits the Heart:
-calms the Heart, used for Palpitation, nervous Heart and arrhythmia
-used for Melancholy and Sadness.
-benefits Memory

2. Strengthens the Spirits (natural, vital and animal):
-regarded as a tonic, added to tonic formula.
-debility of the Heart, Liver or Brain
-nourishes Qi and Yin, benefits Essence
-improves stamina, enhances reproduction, increases Sperm, used as an aphrodisiac.

3. Calms Wind, Stops Spasms:
-Headaches, Vertigo, Fits, Convulsions. (West, Unani; similar to the TCM use of Dried Silkworm)

4. Stops Leakage and Bleeding:
-the ashes stop bleeding; they clear blood in the stool, stop Metrorrhagia and Hematuria.
-Leukorrhea and chronic Diarrhea.

5. Astringes the Kidneys:
-the decoction is used for Polyuria and quenches Thirst.
-decoction of the Cocoons has been used in the treatment of Diabetes (TCM)

6. Clears Heat and Poison:
-Plague, Fevers and ‘Spotted Fevers’ including Measles and Smallpox
-Infections and Consumption.
-for Elephantiasis and Leprosy
-various Stings and Bites.

7. Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough and Asthma with excess Phlegm. It is good to make thick, sticky phlegm thinner and lighter.
-In modern Unani, it is used for seasonal Catarrh and Flu due to cold.

8. Externally:
-ashes are applied to swollen Abscesses, septic Boils, and Wounds.
-ashes also strengthens the Teeth and prevents their putrefaction when used in Tooth powders.
-ash is applied to the eye for Epiphora and eye irritations. (Unani)
-powder can be used as a dust for Eczema

DOSE
3–5 grams in Decoction or Infusion; Of the Ash: 200–600mg

CORRECTIVES:
Valerian; Indian Spikenard

SUBSTITUTES:
Bombyx mylitta

PREPARATION:
1. They can be cut very finely and added to powders
2. They can be gently stir-fried until crisp and able to be powdered. Burnt Silk was often added to tonic formulas and is easier to powder.
3. When ashed, they are stronger to stop Bleeding. The ashes were also used externally.
4. As a tonic, sometimes the Cocoons were dyed with cochineal

Main Combinations:
1. Cardiac debility, with Aloeswood, Cardamon, Sandalwood, Indian Spikenard, Saffron, Mastic, Pearl Amber (as in Khamira Abresham of Unani)
2. As a tonic to increase energy, for cardiac debility, Palpitations and Melancholy, with Apple juice, Rose water, Aloeswood, Cinnamon, Lapis Lazuli, Musk (as in Royal Confection of Kermes)
3. Bronchial Asthma, with Licorice, Borage, Hyssop (Unani)
4. Melancholy, burnt Silk with Coral, Burnt Harts Horn, Pearl, Cardamon, Hyssop, Licorice, Nutmegs, Cloves, Indian Spikenard, Cinnamon, Saffron
5. To enhance Memory, with Chebulic Myrobalan, Indian Spikenard, Red and White Behen, Peony, Calamus, Cyperus rotundus, Frankincense, Raisins, Mastic, Saffron (Unani)
6. Diabetes insipidus, it has been prepared as an infusion with Tea

Major Formulas:
Royal Confection of Kermes (Mesue)
Electuary of Aloeswood (Diaxyloaloes) (Mesue)
Powder for Evil Complexion of the Heart (Isaac)

Cautions:
Regarded as harmful for the Kidneys if taken in large doses, or excessively used (Unani)

Main Preparations used:
Confectio Alkermes