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Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis Egg-case)
Taste: Salty, Sweet. Nature: Neutral. Non-toxic. It is produced by the mantis and can be found wherever there are thorns and bushes. Only those collected from mulberry trees are used in medicine, aiming to utilize the essence of the mulberry to guide the qi into the meridians. (Mulberry bark excels at promoting water metabolism, thus it can guide [the substance] to the Kidney Meridian; if authentic Sangpiaoxiao cannot be obtained, add Baiqianpi [Bark of Mulberry Root] as an assistant.) It can be harvested in the second and third lunar months. After sun-drying, it should be roasted again (split open in the middle before roasting) to prevent loosening of the Large Intestine. It is incompatible with Xuanfuhua (Flower of Inula), but compatible with Bailonggu (Fossilized Bones). It primarily treats blood obstruction and lower back pain in women, and deficiency damage and kidney decline in men. It benefits essence, strengthens yin, tonifies the center, and eliminates hernia. It stops seminal emission and cures white turbidity, unblocks strangury and retention to facilitate urination. It also prevents involuntary urination; therefore, the *Shennong Bencao Jing* notes that it is indispensable in formulas for nocturnal emission. Commonly known as "Jiniaoke" (Nest for Stopping Urination), this term refers to this substance.

Wugong (Centipede)
Taste: Pungent. Nature: Warm. Toxic. It hides in walls and is found everywhere. Those collected on the Dragon Boat Festival are superior, and those with red heads and feet are good quality. For medicinal use, roast over slow fire until yellow, remove the head and feet completely, and grind into powder. It consumes the venomous toxins of snakes, vipers, insects, fish, etc., and expels ghosts, evil influences, gu poison, and malignant spirits. It removes blood stasis, induces abortion, drives out accumulations, and eliminates malaria. Chickens have a natural preference for eating it; if humans are poisoned by it, apply a paste made from black chicken manure mixed with water. It fears slugs and millipedes; contact causes death, so they can be applied topically to treat its toxicity.

Baijing Qiuyin (White-necked Earthworm)
Taste: Salty. Nature: Cold. Belongs to Earth and Water. Non-toxic. Some say it is very cold and slightly toxic. The white neck indicates age; it chirps according to seasons. It lives in burrows in the soil and is found everywhere. Wash the bristles with salt water; use raw or roasted as appropriate. It treats high fever and delirious speech in warm diseases, and latent heat with delirium in cold damage. Crush and squeeze the juice, mix well water, and take orally for immediate recovery. For difficulty in urination, crush and drink the juice. For acute poisoning by gu toxin, soak in wine and swallow. It treats snake masses, kills roundworms, regulates wind in the kidneys, and reduces gouty arthritis. It also treats jaundice and promotes dampness resolution miraculously. If bitten by it, soak the wound in salt water to resolve the toxicity. Its feces applied to wounds from fierce dog bites effectively extract dog hair and show special efficacy.