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

**[Names]** Shufu (Tao Hongjing), Fupan (pronounced "fan", from *Erya*), Yifangwei (from *Bencao Jing*), Shishengchong (from *Tujing*), Di ji (from *Bencao Gangmu*).

Tao Hongjing stated: In *Erya*, Shufu is written as "Shufu" (Mouse Carrying). It means that mice often live in low, damp places (kan), and this insect sticks to their backs, hence the name "Shufu". Writing it with the character "Fu" (Woman) now is quite contrary to reason.

Han Baosheng said: This insect is mostly found at the bottom of jars and in soil trenches, often attaching to the backs of mice, thus named. The common people also call it "Shunian" (Mouse Sticky), similar to how earwax is called "Yangting" (Sheep Earwax).

Li Shizhen said: According to Lu Dian's *Piya*: "Shufu," eating it makes one prone to lust, hence the name "Fu" (Woman). It is also named "Shugu," just like "Shufu." "Shunian" is equivalent to "Shufu." Thus, both meanings of "Fu" (Woman) and "Fu" (Carrying/Sticking) are valid. Because it is generated by dampness, it is commonly called "Shishengchong" (Damp-Generated Insect). It is called "Di ji" (Earth Chicken) or "Di shi" (Earth Louse) due to its shape resembling a chicken or louse.

**[Collection and Explanation]** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Shufu grows in Pinggu, Wei Commandery, and on the ground in human dwellings. It is collected on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

Su Song said: It is now found everywhere, mostly in damp places, at the bottom of jars, and in soil trenches. The *Classic of Poetry* says: "Humans generate from old things" (implying it arises from stale, damp environments).

Kou Zongshi said: Shishengchong has many legs; the larger ones are three to four fen long, colored like earthworms, with raised transverse wrinkles on their backs. Its medicinal use is extremely rare.

Li Shizhen said: It resembles the silverfish but slightly larger, gray in color.

**[Flavor and Properties]** Sour, warm, non-toxic. Tang Shenwei (Da Ming) said: Toxic.

**[Indications]** Qi long (difficulty in urination), amenorrhea with blood masses (Furen yuebi xuejia), epilepsy with alternating chills and fever, promoting water passage (*Bencao Jing*). Abortion (*Rihua Zi Bencao*). Treatment of chronic malaria with chills and fever, wind-worm toothache, infant lockjaw and convulsions, thrush, inverted smallpox lesions, resolving Shegong toxin, spider venom, and removing centipedes from the ear (Li Shizhen).

**[Elucidation]** Su Song said: Zhang Zhongjing used it in Da Biejia Wan for treating chronic malaria because it primarily addresses chills and fever.

Li Shizhen said: Ancient formulas for treating convulsions, malaria, and blood disorders frequently used this herb, as it belongs to the Jueyin meridian. *Taiping Yulan* records Ge Hong's formula for malaria: Use four Shufu insects, wrap them in sugar to make pills, and swallow with water to stop the attack. Take two pills with decoction the day before the expected onset, and another two pills just before the attack starts to cease symptoms. Furthermore, for sores caused by spider bites, applying this insect which eats spider silk leads to healing. See the entry for Spider for details.

**[Attached Formulas]** One old formula, eight new formulas.

Postpartum urinary retention: Roast seven Shufu insects, grind into powder, and take with wine (*Qianjin Yifang*).

Infant lockjaw and umbilical wind: *Shenghui Fang*: Crush Shufu insects, squeeze out a small amount of juice, and administer orally. *Chen Shi Formula*: Freshly crush Shufu and Queweng juice and ingest.

Thrush white patches: Grind Di ji (Shufu) with water and apply to the affected area for immediate cure (*Shouyu Shenfang*).

Wind-worm toothache: Wrap one Shishengchong in cotton and bite on it. Do not let others know (*Shenghui Fang*).

Wind toothache: Mix one each of Shishengchong, Semen Crotonis (Badou ren), and Piper nigrum (Hujiao), grind evenly, and form pills the size of mung beans using rice paste. Wrap one pill in cotton and bite on it; after a while, saliva will flow out and should be spat out, yielding remarkable efficacy (*Jingxiao Jishi Fang*).

Inverted smallpox: Grind Shishengchong into powder, take one "zi" dose with wine, and the lesions will immediately rise (*Douzhen Lun*).

Centipede entering the ear: Grind Shishengchong thoroughly, apply around the ear edge, and the centipede will crawl out. Alternatively, spread it on paper to make a roll and insert it into the ear to extract the centipede (*Weisheng Baojian*).

Shegong stream toxin: Mix seven he of Shufu, seven he of Fermented Soybean (Douchi), and three kernels of Semen Crotonis (Badou, heart removed) with animal fat, and apply topically (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).

**[Appendix]** Dan Jian (*Mingyi Bielu*, Named but Unused) stated: Pungent, toxic. Treats accumulation of blood in the heart and abdomen. Grows in Shu Commandery. Resembles Shufu, with green legs and a red head. July...