Tuyuan, commonly known as earthworm or red worm, is a dried species of the earthworm family and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been recorded in the "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing," a classic text from the Eastern Han Dynasty. Tuyuan has a salty, cold nature and is considered toxic. It is known for its ability to break up blood stasis, reduce phlegm, and promote circulation. It is primarily used to treat conditions such as menstrual pain, bruises, and internal blood stasis. Modern research suggests that Tuyuan may have some therapeutic effects on leukemia and has also shown potential in treating certain types of tumors.
Tuyuan is widely distributed across China, with the highest quality found in regions like Jiangsu and Zhejiang. These specimens are thick, light, and free of soil inside the body, with a fine texture, and are referred to as "Su Tu Yuan." In contrast, earthworms from Fujian, Guangdong, and Guizhou tend to be larger, often contain soil in their abdomen, and are considered lower in quality, known as "Big Earth Yuan" or "Hantu Yuan." Other varieties include Hebei Tuyuan, Yunnan Tuyuan, Tibetan Tuyuan, and Qomolangma Tuyuan. Another related species, Phalaenopsis pygmaea, is a dried female from the Acipenseridae family, mainly found in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hunan. It is flat and oval, measuring about 3 cm long and 2 cm wide, with a dark brown back, reddish-brown belly, and yellow trim along the front edge of the prosthodontic plate. It has a light body, an unpleasant odor, and similar medicinal properties to Tuyuan.
Tuyuan prefers moist, cool environments and is sensitive to light and vibration. They typically hide under tree roots, decaying grass, or in damp soil near walls, woodpiles, or debris. They are most active at night and feed on leaves, non-toxic weeds, tea leaves, melon peels, and wolfberry, as well as humus and starch-rich materials like rice bran and wheat bran. The ideal temperature range for growth is between 12°C and 35°C. In general, they are active for about seven months a year, while in southern areas with warm climates, they remain active all year round and hibernate when temperatures drop below 10°C. After the Qingming Festival, their activity increases gradually when the temperature rises above 11°C.
The best time to collect Tuyuan is from late spring to early autumn, with the peak season being from Qingming to early summer. At night, you can find them in areas where they are active and remove natural coverings to catch them. Alternatively, you can use fragrant wheat bran to attract them by sprinkling it on the ground, then use lights to capture them. You can also dig holes in places where they frequently appear. The hole should be small, with the opening level with the ground. Place food like earth cakes inside, add straw or other shelters over the entrance, and lure the worms into the container. Collect them in the morning.
Once captured, Tuyuan can be processed in two main ways. One method involves placing the raw worms in a container, pouring boiling water over them to kill them, washing them, and drying them under the sun. Another method is to cook and wash them, then dry them in an oven or over low heat (around 50°C) until the tip of the toe spatula is visible. Finally, place the body on a wire mesh and let it dry using the residual heat from the stove.
Quality standards for Tuyuan require that the product be dry, flat, and oval-shaped, with a plump body, narrow width, and a purple-brown back. The wings should be dull, the head well-developed, and the 9th abdominal segment covered in a tile-like pattern with a reddish-brown color. It should have three pairs of legs with fine hairs and spines, distinct abdominal rings, a crunchy texture, and easily breakable. It should have no odor, a slightly salty taste, and be free from impurities, insects, and mold. The worm body should be intact, uniform in size, and of consistent quality.
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