晚蚕蛾,气温,微咸,略有小毒。其性最淫,强阳道,交接不倦,益精气,禁固难来。
敷诸
疮灭瘢,止尿血,暖肾。
蚕沙,即晚蚕之屎,其性亦温,治湿痹、瘾疹、瘫风,主肠鸣热中泄泻。按晚蚕蛾胜于
春蚕
者,以其性淫也。务须择雄者用之,雌则无效。盖雄则气温,勤于交合,敏于生育故耳。但
亦宜丸散,而不宜汤剂,嫌其过于动也。
晚蚕娥兴阳而又不动火,似可多用,然亦宜同人参、白术、归、 之类,用之为佳。盖
无阳
则气不能举,而气虚则阳亦不能久振也。
桑螵蛸,味咸、甘,气平,无毒。主女人血闭腰痛,治男子虚损肾衰,益精强阴,补中
除疝
,止精泄而愈白浊,通淋闭以利小便,又禁小便自遗。此物最佳,苦难得真者。
二、三月间,自于桑树间寻之,见有花斑纹子
在树条上者,采之,用微火焙干,存之。若非桑树上者,无效。或云加桑白皮佐之者,非。
桑螵蛸,三吴最多。土人不知采用,舍近求远,可胜三叹。
或问桑螵蛸,乃螳螂之子,何以异于他树耶?不知螳螂食桑叶而生子,其功自是不同。
此物
可种,采子入于桑树之间,每年其子必多,不数年即繁,又不坏桑树,而又可以采其子,至
便法也。(〔批〕此物虽益人,吾终怜其细小,用药必多害物命,可已则已之为妙,又何必
种植之多事耶。)
Bombyx Mori (Late Silkworm Moth), its nature is warm, flavor slightly salty, with slight toxicity. Its property is most aphrodisiac, strengthening the sexual function, preventing fatigue during intercourse, benefiting essence and qi, and securing the essence gate to prevent leakage.
Applied externally, it treats sores, eliminates scars, stops hematuria, and warms the Kidney.
Can Sha (Silkworm Feces), which is the feces of the late silkworm, also has a warm nature. It treats damp-bi syndrome, urticaria (skin itching with rash), and paralysis-wind. It primarily treats borborygmus, heat in the middle jiao, and diarrhea. Analysis shows that the late silkworm moth surpasses the spring silkworm moth because of its aphrodisiac nature. One must select males for use; females are ineffective. This is because males have a warm nature, are diligent in mating, and possess strong fertility. However, it is suitable for pills or powders, not decoctions, due to concerns about excessive fire-moving properties.
The late silkworm moth boosts yang without stirring fire, suggesting it could be used frequently, but it is best combined with herbs such as Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen, 人参), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu, 白术), and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui, 当归). Without yang, qi cannot rise; if qi is deficient, yang cannot remain vigorous for long.
Mantis Egg Case (Sangpiaoxiao), flavors salty and sweet, nature neutral, non-toxic. It treats amenorrhea and lower back pain in women, deficiency and kidney decline in men, benefits essence and strengthens yin, tonifies the middle and eliminates hernia, stops seminal emission and cures leukorrhea (white turbidity), unblocks strangury and urinary retention to facilitate urination, and prevents urinary incontinence. This substance is excellent but hard to find in authentic form.
Between the second and third lunar months, search among mulberry trees for egg cases with floral patterns on branches, collect them, dry them over mild fire, and store. Those not from mulberry trees are ineffective. Some suggest adding Cortex Morii (Sangbaipi, 桑白皮) as an assistant herb, which is incorrect.
Sangpiaoxiao is most abundant in the Sanwu region. Locals do not know how to harvest it, seeking distant sources while ignoring nearby ones, which is lamentable.
One may ask: Since Sangpiaoxiao is the egg case of the mantis, why is it different from those on other trees? The reason is that the mantis feeds on mulberry leaves when producing eggs, thus its efficacy is distinct.
This substance can be cultivated by placing egg cases among mulberry trees; their numbers will increase annually, multiplying within a few years without damaging the trees, providing a convenient method. ([Comment] Although this substance benefits humans, I pity its small size; using large quantities harms life. It is better to abstain if possible, rather than engaging in unnecessary cultivation.)