Silkworm cocoons possess extensive uses and benefits, primarily including hemostatic and detoxifying properties. They can also treat rectal bleeding and nausea, and are suitable for preparing soups. Below is a detailed introduction to the functions and effects of silkworm cocoons for your reference.
Functions of Silkworm Cocoons:
Typically refers to mulberry silkworm cocoons.The protective sac-like covering formed during the mulberry silkworm's pupal stage, containing the pupa. This protective layer consists of the cocoon skin, cocoon layer, and pupal lining. The cocoon layer can be reeled for silk, while the cocoon skin and waste silk from reeling serve as raw materials for silk cotton and silk yarn spinning.
Morphological Characteristics: >Presents various shapes including elongated oval, oval-waisted, spherical, or spindle-shaped, sometimes with a slight constriction at the middle. Colors range from white, yellow, pale green, to flesh-pink. Length typically 3–4 cm, diameter 1.7–2.1 cm. Surface is white with irregular wrinkles and attached sericultural silk fibers forming a downy texture.The silk patterns on the inner wall are highly regular. Lightweight yet resilient, they resist tearing. Unhatched cocoons contain one yellowish-brown pupa and the pale brown, shrunken pupal skin shed before pupation.
Distribution: Produced in all sericulture regions nationwide.The premier production area is Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, renowned since ancient times for producing the finest silk in the Jiangnan region.
Silkworm cocoons primarily consist of fibrous protein "sericin" bound by another protein "sericin," along with trace amounts of lipids, pigments, inorganic substances, etc. They are sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic, and enter the Spleen Meridian.It possesses hemostatic, thirst-quenching, and detoxifying properties.
Dietary Therapy Effects of Silkworm Cocoon
Silkworm cocoon is sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic, and enters the Spleen Meridian. It has hemostatic, thirst-quenching, and detoxifying effects. It is primarily used to treat bloody stools, hematuria, uterine hemorrhage, diabetes, nausea, abscesses, and scrofula.
Medicinal Value of Silkworm Cocoons
1. For intestinal bleeding, bloody stools/urine, and painful urination: Equal parts of cocoon yellow, silkworm molting paper (burned to retain properties), late silkworm sand, and white stiff silkworm (all stir-fried). Grind into powder, add a small amount of musk. Take two qian per dose with rice drink, three times daily.
2. For diabetes: Boil silkworm cocoons in water. Drink one cup per dose.
3. For children with residual smallpox toxins causing gangrenous sores on limbs and joints with persistent pus discharge:Take silkworm cocoons (quantity not specified), crush raw alum into powder, pack it inside the cocoons, and burn over charcoal until the alum juice dries. Grind into powder. Apply dry to the ulcerated mouth. If swelling or pain occurs, additionally take Huoming Decoction.Boil to extract juice. Cook three chicken eggs with it. Consume with ash-free wine. Take twice daily.>
5. Treating mouth ulcers: Burn silkworm cocoons to ash. Mix with honey. Apply inside the mouth.
6. Beauty and spot removal: Use after washing face or during bathing. Rinse with warm water beforehand. Soak in water around 40°C (104°F) for about 5 minutes.Once the natural silk cocoon ball feels fully hydrated and soft, it is ready for use. Slip your index finger into the softened cocoon ball and gently massage the areas of concern on your skin. It will naturally harden again as it cools. If you are sensitive to hardness, soak two balls in water at once and alternate their use. Afterwards, moisturize with a low-irritation toner.