一名地蚕。其状如蚕而大。身短节促。足长有毛。生树根及粪土。中者。外黄内黑。生
旧茅屋上者。外白内黯。宋齐邱谓燥湿相育。不母而生。久则羽化去。按蛴螬或误以为蝤蛴
。又误以为蝎为蠹。不知此三种。皆出朽木中。而蛴螬则粪土中所生也。王充论衡。蛴螬化
腹。腹 拆背出而为蝉。然则腹 即蝉蜕也。
味咸。气微温。微寒。有毒。主恶血血瘀。破折血在胁下坚满痛。虚劳干血。血结筋挛。
血
取
还知
〔论〕 蛴螬生于粪土中。本阴气而味咸。故入血分。其展转相化无母而生。（湿气所
蕴。
相育
黄丸
未得例
〔修治〕 诸方有干研。及生取汁之不同。临用酌之。
本出土中。自蛴螬腹 转相变化。夏则登木而蜕。身与声俱大。其鸣以胁。吸风饮露。
溺而不粪。性畏日。至三十日死。其类甚多。如仲夏始鸣。方首广额。大而色黑者蚱蝉。又
曰。曰蚂蜩。头上有花冠者曰螗蜩。曰 。曰胡蝉。具五色者曰螂蜩。入药用此数种。若
秋月始鸣诸种。用之无益。
味咸甘。气寒。入肝经祛散风热。主小儿惊痫夜啼。痫绝不能言。去壮热。癫病寒热。
惊悸
其体轻
蚕天竺黄
各半分。
蜕
味咸甘。气寒。治头风眩晕螈 。目痛目赤。及肿胀昏花。内外障翳。小儿噤风天吊
。疮疹出不快。痘疮作痒。妇人生子不下。补风虚。（好古）蝉性蜕而退翳。蛇性窜而祛风。
因其性而为用也。（又）蝉古人用身。后人用蜕。大抵治脏腑经络。当用蝉身。治皮肤疮疡
风
同羚羊角密蒙花白蒺藜草决明木贼谷精甘菊夜明砂生地黄连
女
木
毒十
候
〔论〕蝉身本浊阴而化清阳。（从阴化阳。乃阴中之少阳。非阳中之太阳也。日为太阳。
所
味
阴
痘
亦
补剂中。世医漫谓能疗风热。是未审于转达清阳之气以治化源之义耳。
〔修治〕 去翅足。水洗去土。蒸过用。
Background Information:
Book: *Bencao Shu Gou Yuan* (Essentials of Materia Medica Description)
Author: Yang Shitai
Dynasty: Qing
Chapter: Ququ (Grub) / Cicada
Category: Materia Medica
[Original Text Processing]
Ququ, also known as Di Can (Earth Silkworm). Its shape resembles a silkworm but is larger. The body is short with tight segments. The legs are long and hairy. It lives in tree roots and soil mixed with manure. Those of medium quality have a yellow exterior and black interior. Those growing on old thatched roofs have a white exterior and dark interior. Qi Qiu of the Song Dynasty stated that it is nurtured by dryness and moisture, born without parents. After a long time, it undergoes metamorphosis and flies away. Note: Ququ is sometimes mistaken for You Tui (Scolytinae larvae). It is also sometimes mistaken for Xie (Scorpion) or Du (Woodworm). These three all emerge from rotting wood, whereas Ququ is born in manure-soil. Wang Chong in *Lunheng* records that Ququ transforms into Fu (Abdomen), splitting its back to emerge as a Cicada. Therefore, "Fu" refers to the exuviae (shed skin) of the cicada.
Taste: Salty.
Nature: Slightly warm, also described as slightly cold.
Toxicity: Toxic.
Indications: Treats evil blood and blood stasis. Breaks down fixed blood causing hardness, fullness, and pain in the hypochondrium. Treats dry blood resulting from deficiency consumption. Treats tendon spasms caused by blood binding.
[Discussion]
Ququ is born in manure-soil, inheriting Yin Qi and having a salty taste, thus entering the Blood aspect. Its transformation occurs through rolling changes, born without a mother. (This is due to the accumulation of dampness, nurturing each other.)
[Preparation]
Various prescriptions use either dried powder or fresh juice. Use according to circumstances.
Cicada originates from the soil, transforming from the abdomen of Ququ. In summer, it climbs trees to shed its skin. Its body and voice become larger. It calls by vibrating its hypochondrium. It absorbs wind and drinks dew. It urinates but does not defecate. Its nature fears the sun; it dies after thirty days. There are many species. For example, those calling in mid-summer, with square heads, broad foreheads, large bodies, and black color are Zha Chan (Cicada oratoria). Also called Ma Tiao. Those with floral crests on their heads are Tang Tiao. Others include Hu Chan. Those with five colors are Lang Tiao. These several types are used in medicine. Those calling in autumn months are of no benefit when used.
Taste: Salty, Sweet.
Nature: Cold.
Meridian Tropism: Liver Meridian.
Actions: Disperses Wind-Heat.
Indications: Treats infantile convulsions, epilepsy, and night crying. For epilepsy where the patient cannot speak. Removes high fever. Treats manic-depressive disorders with alternating chills and fever. Palpitations.
Its body is light... [Text fragment] ...Can Tian Zhu Huang (Bamboo Sponge) half fen each. Tui (Exuviae)...
Taste: Salty, Sweet.
Nature: Cold.
Indications: Treats Head Wind, vertigo, and twitching. Eye pain and redness. Swelling and blurred vision. Internal and external nebula (cataracts/opacities). Infantile lockjaw and opisthotonos (Tian Diao). Slow eruption of sores and rashes. Itching of smallpox. Difficult labor. Tonifies Wind-Deficiency. (Haogu's note: Cicada sheds its skin to remove nebula; Snake moves swiftly to dispel Wind. Its efficacy is derived from its nature.) (Another note: Ancients used the Cicada body; later generations used the exuviae. Generally, for treating Zang-Fu organs and meridians, use the Cicada body; for treating skin sores and Wind pathogens...) Combine with Ling Yang Jiao (Antelope Horn), Mi Meng Hua (Buddleja Flower), Bai Ji Li (Tribulus Fruit), Cao Jue Ming (Cassia Seed), Mu Zei (Equisetum), Gu Jing Cao (Globe Flower), Gan Ju (Chrysanthemum), Ye Ming Sha (Typhlod Faeces), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome)... Nv Zhen Zi (Ligustrum Fruit)... Mu Tong (Akebia Stem)... Du... Hou...
[Discussion]
The Cicada body transforms from turbid Yin to clear Yang. (Transforming from Yin to Yang, it is the Lesser Yang within Yin, not the Greater Yang within Yang. The Sun is the Greater Yang.) ... Flavor ... Yin ... Smallpox ... Also ... In tonifying formulas, physicians casually claim it treats Wind-Heat. This fails to examine the principle of transmitting clear Yang Qi to govern the source of transformation.
[Preparation]
Remove wings and feet. Wash with water to remove dirt. Steam before use.