Library

[Trichoscyphus in Peach] Pungent, warm, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records that it can eliminate evil spirits and inauspicious influences.
Invention: The worm inside the peach fruit, when consumed, beautifies the complexion, similar to the effect of *Taodu Chong* (Peach Borer). Its feces can ward off epidemics and prevent transmission; powdered and taken with water in a dose of one *cunshi* (approx. 5g), it is effective.

[Cicada] Salty, sweet, cold, non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records its indication for pediatric convulsions (*Jingxian*), night crying, and manic epilepsy with alternating chills and fever.
Invention: Cicadas are used in difficult labor to facilitate the expulsion of the placenta, leveraging their symbolism of molting/shedding. *Taiping Shenghui Fang* contains formulas such as *Zachan Tang*, *San*, and *Wan* for treating pediatric mania/epilepsy. Nowadays, people only know to use the exuviae (*Chantui*) but do not utilize the cicada itself.

[Cicada Slough / Exuviae] Salty, sweet, cold, non-toxic. Remove wings and feet before use.
Invention: *Chantui* removes ocular membranes, utilizing the principle of shedding; for skin sores, wind-heat induced tetanus (*Poshangfeng*), stir-fry and powder it, take 1 qian (approx. 3.7g) with wine for miraculous effects. For ocular membranes after smallpox, take 3 qian with *Yanggan Tang* (Sheep Liver Decoction) to gradually resolve the membrane. It also treats itching from smallpox lesions. However, if itching is due to Qi deficiency, it is contraindicated. For pediatric night crying, take 49 pieces of *Chantui*, discard the anterior segment (head), powder the posterior segment (abdomen), divide into four doses, and administer with *Gouteng Tang* (Uncaria Decoction) to stop crying. If accompanied by startled crying, add *Zhusha* (Cinnabar); using the anterior segment will cause crying to resume. For pediatric convulsions, night crying, and epileptic chills/fever, use the abdomen of the cicada, leveraging its ability to unblock orifices, clear voice, dispel wind, and resolve phlegm, which is more rapid than using the slough alone.

[Dung Beetle / Scarabaeus] Salty, cold, toxic. Remove feet and roast over fire before use. Do not place in water, as it induces vomiting.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* records indications for pediatric convulsions, spasms, abdominal distension, chills/fever, and adult manic epilepsy, delirium, and sores.
Invention: *Qianglang* acts on the Hand-Yangming, Foot-Yangming, and Foot-Jueyin meridians. Treatments in *Shennong Bencao Jing* generally address pathologies of these three meridians. To treat acute dysphagia and vomiting, roast two beetles inside ginger, then stir-fry with 2 qian of dried tangerine peel (*Chenpi*) and *Baidu* (Bean, *Crotonis Fructus*). Discard the bean, powder the beetle and peel, take 2 fen (approx. 0.7g) insufflated into the throat; vomiting phlegm two to three times leads to cure. For arrowheads embedded in bone, mix lightly roasted *Baidu* with powdered beetle for topical application; once pain subsides, itching occurs—endure until unbearable itching allows for removal by shaking. Burn to ash, add a small amount of *Bingpian* (Borneol), apply to rectal prolapse of the large intestine, or form pills for insertion to expel hemorrhoid worms for permanent cure. The heart of the beetle applied to carbuncles draws out toxins; after half a day, when blood is exhausted and roots emerge, it heals. However, beetles fear mutton; consumption triggers disease recurrence.