此虫生茄稞内,梗上有蛀眼,内即有虫。其虫带绿色黑嘴者是。
治男女童痨 刘羽仪经验方云∶男女童痨,其症不必如大人咳嗽吐血泄精,只是身体瘦
弱,
皮毛焦枯,肌肤微热,急宜早治。用野茄稞内虫,取数十条,私和在食物之内,与病者吃,
数次即愈。
滇南各甸土司记∶棕虫产腾越州外各土司中,穴居棕榈木中,食其根脂汁,状如海参,
粗如
臂,色黑。土人以为珍馔,土司饷贵客,必向各峒丁索取此虫作供,连棕木数尺解送,剖木
取之,作羹味绝鲜美,肉亦坚韧而腴,绝似辽东海参。云食之增髓益血,尤治带下。彼土妇
人无患带者,以食此虫也。
治赤白带,肠红血痢。其行血而又能补血,功同当归。
漳泉种蔗田中,出一种虫如蚕,食蔗根,名蔗蛄。土人食之,味甚甘美。
发痘行浆,托痈清毒,化痰醒酒,和中利小便。
救生苦海云∶此树大如钱,粗者方得有虫;但取之有法,以利刀速砍其树,迟则虫即下
行入
根,不可得。其虫子时下行,过午则上行,须午后伐取。
治一切肿毒初起。其虫有大小,大者用一条,小者用二条;证轻者用一条,证重者用二
条或
脓者不治。
须秋时先收取,以葱管藏之。 百草镜∶麻虫生麻梗近根上一节中,二月化为飞虫,穿
穴去
。山左人每于刈麻时,将虫连麻梗寸断,布袋装盛,带至南方,货与养禽鸟家,饲画眉、百
翎之用。云其虫性暖,去风行血,鸟食之可以御寒。虫形如小蚕,细长明净。入药须连麻梗
蒸焙用;如用生者,须以葱藏。
治疔 程林即得方∶用黄麻梗内虫,以葱叶包贮,挂风头令干,将疔疮挑破,以麻虫少
许,
入于所挑之处,疮即化为水而愈。 陶节庵治疔蜣螂膏∶用蜣螂三个(肚白者佳),黄麻虫
十
个,二味捣匀,拨破患处贴之;如患在手足,有红丝上臂,丝尽处,将针挑断出血,仍用前
药。毒重者更服败毒药。 叶氏方∶用黄麻梗中虫一条,焙干为末,酒调服下,疔化为水。
This insect lives inside the stalk of the eggplant, where there are borings on the stem. The one with a greenish body and black mouth is (medicinal).
Treatment for pediatric consumptive disease (Xu Lao) in both males and females: According to the empirical prescription of Liu Huyi, the symptoms of pediatric consumptive disease do not necessarily include coughing, hemoptysis, or seminal emission as seen in adults; rather, it manifests merely as emaciation, dry and brittle hair and skin, and slight fever of the skin. It is urgent to treat it early. Take dozens of insects from the eggplant stalks, secretly mix them into food, and feed them to the patient. Recovery occurs after several doses.
Records from local chieftains in southern Yunnan: The palm insect is produced in various chieftain domains outside Tengyueh Prefecture. It dwells in burrows within palm wood, feeding on the root sap of the palm tree. It resembles sea cucumber (Hai Shen), is as thick as an arm, and is black in color. Locals regard it as a delicacy. When chieftains entertain distinguished guests, they must request these insects from the Dong people as tribute, delivering several feet of palm wood along with them. The wood is split open to extract the insects, which are made into soup with an exquisite flavor. The meat is tough yet rich, resembling sea cucumber from Liaodong. It is said that consuming it increases marrow and benefits blood, particularly treating leukorrhea. Local women who consume this insect do not suffer from leukorrhea.
It treats red and white leukorrhea, intestinal bleeding, and bloody dysentery. It promotes blood circulation while also nourishing blood, with effects similar to Danggui (Angelica sinensis).
In sugarcane fields in Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, an insect resembling a silkworm emerges, feeding on sugarcane roots, named Zhegu. Locals eat it, finding its taste very sweet and delicious.
It has the functions of promoting the eruption and suppuration of smallpox, expelling toxins, clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving phlegm, awakening from intoxication, harmonizing the middle jiao, and promoting urination.
This is the bamboo louse growing on Tao Si Zhu (a type of bamboo). Li's *Caomi* records: Applying it externally to treat Ding Chuang (carbuncles/furuncles) and Dou Ding (smallpox-related sores) is most effective.
*Jiusheng Kuhai* records: This tree is about the size of a coin in diameter; only thicker trunks harbor these insects. However, there is a specific method for harvesting them: use a sharp knife to chop down the tree quickly. If delayed, the insects will move downward into the roots and cannot be retrieved. These insects move downward at Zi hour (11 PM–1 AM) and upward after Wu hour (11 AM–1 PM); therefore, harvesting must occur in the afternoon.
It treats all types of swelling and toxicity in their initial stages. The insects vary in size: use one large insect or two small ones; for mild conditions, use one; for severe conditions, use two. If suppuration has already occurred, it is untreatable.
They must be collected in autumn and stored in scallion tubes. *Baicao Jing* records: The hemp insect lives in the section of the hemp stalk near the root. In the second lunar month, it transforms into a flying insect and leaves through a hole. People in Shandong break the stalk into inch-long pieces containing the insects during harvest, pack them in cloth bags, and take them south to sell to poultry keepers for feeding to thrushes and mynas. It is said that this insect is warm in nature, dispels wind, and invigorates blood; birds eating it can resist cold. The insect resembles a small silkworm, slender, long, bright, and clean. For medicinal use, it must be steamed and dried together with the hemp stalk; if used raw, it must be stored wrapped in scallion leaves.
Treatment for Ding Chuang (hard, deep-rooted sores): Cheng Lin's *Jide Fang* records: Use the insect from the yellow hemp stalk, wrap it in scallion leaves, hang it in a ventilated place to dry. Puncture the Ding Chuang, place a small amount of the hemp insect into the puncture, and the sore will liquefy and heal. Tao Jian'an's Qianglang Gao (Dung Beetle Ointment) for treating Ding Chuang: Use three Qianglang (Dung Beetles, preferably those with white abdomens) and ten Huangma Chong (Yellow Hemp Insects). Pound them evenly, apply the paste to the punctured lesion. If the lesion is on the hands or feet and red threads extend up the arm, prick the end of the thread with a needle to bleed, then still apply the aforementioned medicine. For severe toxicity, additionally administer anti-toxic medicines. Ye's Prescription: Use one insect from the yellow hemp stalk, dry it by roasting, grind it into powder, and take it with wine. The Ding Chuang will liquefy and heal.