Fugu Eggs is the name of a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It consists of the eggs of the following species in the Tetraodontidae family: the bow-spotted pufferfish (Fugu ocellatus (Osbeck)), the worm-patterned pufferfish (F. vermicularis (Temminck & Schlegel)), the dark-patterned pufferfish (F. obscurus (Abe)), and various other species within the same genus. It has the effects of detoxifying, reducing swelling, and relieving pain.It is primarily used to treat breast cancer, boils, and scabies.
River Pufferfish
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Fugu Eggs is the name of a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It consists of the eggs of the following species in the Tetraodontidae family: the bow-spotted pufferfish (Fugu ocellatus (Osbeck)), the worm-patterned pufferfish (F. vermicularis (Temminck & Schlegel)), the dark-patterned pufferfish (F. obscurus (Abe)), and various other species within the same genus. It has the effects of detoxifying, reducing swelling, and relieving pain.It is primarily used to treat breast cancer, boils, and scabies.
Chinese Name : 河豚子
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Sweet in taste, warm in nature
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Detoxifies, reduces swelling, and relieves pain.
Indications
Breast cancer, boils, and scabies.
Usage and Dosage
External use: Apply an appropriate amount after pounding into a paste.
Precautions
This product is highly toxic. The internal organs and blood of the pufferfish are extremely toxic, and the ovaries are particularly toxic; therefore, it is for external use only, and internal use is strictly prohibited.
Pharmacological Actions
1. Effects on the neuromuscular system: The most prominent effect of tetrodotoxin on any animal is the rapid relaxation of voluntary muscles, resulting in marked weakness. 2. Effects on the cardiovascular system: At low doses, it acts directly on vascular smooth muscle; at high doses, it blocks the vasomotor center. 3. Effects on the respiratory system: Tetrodotoxin has an inhibitory effect on the respiratory system.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Treats scabies, tinea, and parasitic skin lesions.”
2. *Medicinal Marine Organisms of China*: “Detoxifies, reduces swelling, and relieves pain.”
Applications
Related Compatibility
1. Treatment of breast cancer: Crush pufferfish roe and apply externally; alternatively, decoct 90 g of dried pig’s-tail sea cucumber and take orally. (*Medicinal Marine Organisms of China*)
2. Treatment of scabies, tinea, and insect-induced sores: Roast pufferfish roe together with a centipede, grind into a powder, and mix with sesame oil to apply topically. (*Compendium of Materia Medica*)
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
After catching a pufferfish, slit open its abdomen to extract the roe and use it fresh.
Botanical Information
Morphological Characteristics
1. Arched-spotted Oriental Pufferfish: Body length is generally 10–15 cm. The head, dorsal, and ventral surfaces are covered with fine, weak spines; the dorsal spine region is distinct from the ventral spine region. The snout, both sides of the head and body, and the tail are smooth.The dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head and body are grayish-brown with a slight greenish tint. On each side of the body, just above and behind the pectoral fins, there is a large blackish-green spot with an orange border. There is also a large, blackish-green, saddle-shaped mark that arcs across the back, with an orange border. On either side of the base of the dorsal fin, there is a large, circular black spot. The ventral surface is white, and all fins are grayish-yellow.2. Worm-spotted Oriental Pufferfish: This species differs from the Bow-spotted Oriental Pufferfish in that it has numerous round and elongated, worm-like white spots.3. Dark-striped Oriental Pufferfish: This species differs from the Bow-spotted Oriental Pufferfish in that it is brownish-gray, with 4–6 indistinct dark brown transverse stripes on the dorsal and lateral sides, separated by 3–5 narrow white stripes. There is a large, round black spot on the side of the body, just above and behind the pectoral fin, with a white border.
Distribution Area
1. Bow-spotted Oriental Pufferfish: Found along the coasts of China. 2. Worm-patterned Oriental Pufferfish: Found along all coasts of China. 3. Dark-patterned Oriental Pufferfish: Found in the Yellow Sea, Bohai Sea, and East China Sea.
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Terminology Proofreading: [Cheng Bo] | July 31, 2026 Reviewed by: [Wang Zhongxiang, Associate Chief TCM Physician (China)] | July 31, 2026
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