Library

(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

**[Names]** Huigu (Cicada, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*); Tianlou (Sky Mole Cricket, from *Shennong Bencao Jing*); Xiangu (Immortal Maiden, from *Gujin Zhu*); Shishu (Stone Rat, from *Gujin Zhu*); Wushu (Flying Squirrel, from *Gujin Zhu*).

Li Shizhen states: The commentary on *Zhou Li* records: "Lou means stench." This insect has a foul odor, hence the name "Lou." The terms "Gu" and "Po" are generic names for insects. "Huigu" shares a name with the cicada; "Louguo" shares a name with the frog; "Shishu" shares a name with the large rat; "Wushu" shares a name with the flying squirrel. These are cases where names are identical but the species differ.

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Mingyi Bielu* records: Mole crickets (*Gryllotalpa orientalis*) grow in the flat marshes of Dongcheng. Those active at night are of superior quality. Collect them at the Summer Solstice and dry them in the sun.

Tao Hongjing states: This creature seems to be associated with spirits and ghosts. In the past, some people relied on its power while imprisoned; nowadays, people often kill it when seen at night, claiming it is manipulated by ghosts.

Su Song states: It is found everywhere today. It lives in burrows within soil and manure, coming out at night to forage. What Xunzi referred to as "the wushu having five skills yet coming to a dead end," and what Cai Yong referred to as "the shoshu having five abilities but mastering none," both refer to this insect. The "shoshu" in the *Wei Shi* is a large rat; although it shares the name, its skills are not exhausted, so it is indeed different. The so-called "five skills" refer to...

Chen Zong states: This insect begins calling at night after the Start of Summer, with a sound like an earthworm. This corresponds to the "Louguo crying" mentioned in the *Yueling*.

Li Shizhen states: Mole crickets live in burrows in the soil, possessing short wings and four legs. Males are good at calling and flying; females have large abdomens and small wings, and are not good at flying. They absorb wind and eat soil, and are attracted to light. For medicinal use, males are employed. Some say that if you heat the ground until red-hot with fire and place the mole cricket on it, allowing it to jump to death, those lying on their backs are male, and those lying on their bellies are female.

**[Flavor and Properties]** Salty, cold, non-toxic.

*Ri Hua Bencao* states: Cool, toxic. Remove wings and feet, stir-fry before use.

**[Indications]** Dystocia (difficult labor), removing splinters from flesh, ulcerating carbuncles and swellings, relieving dysphagia (choking sensation), detoxification, treating malignant ulcers (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). Promoting urination and defecation, treating lithiasis (stone strangury), treating... (from *Ri Hua Bencao*).

**[Elucidation]** Tao Hongjing states: The anterior part of the waist acts astringently, stopping urination and defecation; the posterior part acts lubricatingly, promoting...

Zhu Zhenheng states: Mole crickets are very effective for treating edema (water diseases), but their nature is urgent/rapid; they should be avoided by patients with deficiency.

Su Song states: Currently, practitioners treat lithiasis and promote diuresis using seven mole crickets and two liang of salt, spread on a new tile, baked dry, and ground into powder. Each time, take one qianbi with warm wine, and recovery will occur immediately.

**[Attached Prescriptions]** Four old prescriptions, twenty new prescriptions.

Ten types of water diseases: Swelling, fullness, panting, and inability to lie down. *Shenghui Fang*: Use five mole crickets, bake dry, and grind into powder. Take one qian with plain boiled water before meals; effectiveness is indicated by increased urination. Yang's prescription: Add licorice...

*Shenghui Fang*: Use the lower segment of the mole cricket, bake and grind; take with water... Expose to dew overnight, dry in the sun, grind into powder, and take with wine. *Qiankun Mi Yun*: Use the last seven segments of the head to treat upper body edema; the last seven segments of the abdomen to treat lower body edema; the last seven segments of the tail...

Abdominal ascites: *Zhouhou Beiji Fang*: Use mole crickets, roast thoroughly, and eat ten daily. *Pujifang* Banbian San treats water disease. Use 3 qian each of Radix Saposhnikoviae (Daji), Radix Genkwa (Yuanhua), Radix Kansui (Gansui), and Radix Rhei (Dahuang), grind into powder. Take seven mole crickets (those capable of flying in May), crush with scallions, spread on a new tile, and bake until dry. Remove wings and feet. Cut each into two halves, marking left and right for storage. To reduce edema on the left, take seven left halves, bake, grind, and mix with decoction of Radix Ophiopogonis (Mendong) for administration at the fifth watch. After the left side recedes for three days, administer the right side in the same manner.

Nasal edema reduction, severe facial swelling: Use mole crickets...

Urinary retention: Ge Hong's prescription: Use two large mole crickets, take the lower body, soak in one sheng of water, drink, and passage will occur shortly. *Shouyu Fang*: Use the lower segment of the mole cricket, bake and grind, mix and take... Raw grinding is also acceptable. Tan Yeweng's prescription: Add Herba Plantaginis (Cheqiancao), crush together, and take the juice. *Tangshi Jingyan Fang*: Use the posterior segment of the mole cricket, mix with Moschus (Shexiang), crush, insert into the umbilicus, and bind firmly; passage will occur immediately. *Yifang Jiangyao*: Use one mole cricket, roast and grind, add a small amount of Borneolum Syntheticum (Bingpian) and Moschus (Shexiang), and blow into the urethra using a feather tube.

Obstruction of both urine and feces, nearly dying after a month: *Pujifang*: Use seven mole crickets and seven Tucheke (a plant or specific part, context implies association with mole cricket treatment), using the head for men and the body for women. Decoct the bark of Southern Chuk (Xiangpi) and drink the juice; one dose yields miraculous effects. Instill, and it exits upon swallowing. (*Yannian Fang*)

Umbilical wind with discharge: Equal parts mole cricket and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gancao), roast and grind into powder. Apply externally. (*Zonglu*)

Toothache: One mole cricket, wrap in old lees, cover with wet paper, roast until charred, remove lees, grind into powder, and apply; pain stops immediately. (*Ben Shi Fang*)

Tight lip fissures and pain: Burn mole crickets to ash, apply externally. (*Qianjin Fang*)

Ear blockage treating deafness: 5 qian of mole crickets, 5 qian of Squama Manis (Chuanshanjia, prepared), and a small amount of Moschus (Shexiang). Grind into powder, form pills with scallion juice, and insert into the ear. Use nasal medicine externally for immediate patency. (*Pujifang*)

Neck lymphadenopathy (Luoli): Use seven mole crickets with shells. Extract meat raw. Place seven grains of Cardamomi Fructus (Dingxiang) inside the shell, burn, then grind together with the meat. Apply with paper flowers. (*Jiuji Fang*)

Arrowhead embedded in flesh: Crush mole crickets to extract juice, drip onto the wound. After three to five applications, the arrowhead will emerge spontaneously. (*Qianjin Fang*) Needle stuck and cannot be removed: Same method.

Accidental swallowing of hooks or thread: Mole crickets, remove the body, swallow several heads. Do not let the patient know. (*Shenghui Fang*)