Library

[Shangpin Category of the Classic of Materia Medica]
Those who have transcended the worldly realm are unwilling to use it in this manner, and ordinary people also lack the leisure to attend to it.
[Flavor and Nature] Salty, sweet, and neutral; non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats internal injury (damage to the middle jiao), hernia and abdominal masses (shanjia), impotence, tonifies essence and promotes fertility. Treats amenorrhea in women, lower back pain, unblocks the five types of strangury (wulin), and facilitates the water passages for urination.
[Analysis] It is stated: Sangpiaoxiao is the ootheca of the mantis. In late autumn, when mantises lay eggs and build chambers, those adhering to mulberry branches are used as medicine. The chamber is about one cun long and as thick as a thumb, with multiple internal partitions. Each partition contains offspring resembling maggot eggs. After the Mangzhong solar term, they hatch simultaneously. The *Liji · Yueling* states: "The mantis is born." The mantis raises its head and brandishes its arms, possessing a long neck and large abdomen, two pairs of forelegs totaling four legs, skilled in climbing and agile, using antennae instead of a nose, fond of eating human hair, and particularly adept at catching cicadas. The *Erya* states: "Beyond the mantis, its offspring is piaoxiao." When catching cicadas, it holds leaves for concealment; as the cicada prepares to fly but has not yet taken off, the mantis advances and retreats. The *Zhuangzi* states: "The mantis holds a leaf to pounce on the cicada, seeing the cicada but forgetting its own form," which refers to this phenomenon. [Subject omitted in original text, inferred as a materia medica author] states: Do not use those growing on miscellaneous tree branches, known as "Suluo." One must seek those growing on the eastern side of mulberry branches. After harvesting, remove the inner offspring, soak in boiling water seven times, and then dry by simmering in a pot. Other processing methods are ineffective.
My ancestors said: The ootheca stored for a long time contains hundreds of offspring per chamber, possessing the characteristic of renal retention (consolidation), having the form of a shell, waiting for yin qi, and serving the function of transporting essence.
[Processing] It is stated: Sangpiaoxiao refers to mantis eggs laid in late autumn, preferably those attached to the eastern side of mulberry branches. "Piao" derives from "piao" (swift/light), and "Xiao" derives from "xiao" (resemble/imitate), implying swift and light movement, resembling maternal nature. The *Yueling* records that mantises are born during the Mangzhong period, likely because in this month yang qi rises and yin qi begins to emerge, so the insecticide arises in response. If it does not grow, it is called yin cessation. Only when catching cicadas does it exhibit an advance-and-retreat dynamic; otherwise, it only knows how to advance. This herb should enter the Jueyin Liver meridian, embodying the structure and function of Jueyin. Therefore, it primarily treats conditions in the deep and hidden realms of the Jueyin meridian, focusing on retreat, for treating hernia, masses, impotence, essence depletion, blood obstruction, five types of strangury, and urinary retention. These conditions do not arise from the ascending of yin qi but rather stagnate due to the descending and consolidating of yin qi. Treating them with counteracting methods, if yin pathogenic factors are strong and self-consolidating, one should adopt a strategy of convergence and avoidance. If one fails to understand the need to retreat and attempts to block the wheels of a chariot with angry arms, it is feared that one will not be able to fulfill the task.