气平，味咸。无毒。
《本草》云∶主恶疮，蚀五痔，咳逆胸痹，腰痛胁急，鼠 ，大孔出血，崩中漏下。能
利水。治急疳蚀口鼻，数日尽，欲死，烧灰，腊猪脂和涂之。坠痰软坚，止渴，收涩固济，
蛤粉也。咸能走肾，可以胜水。文蛤尖而有紫斑。
气微寒，味苦，平。有毒。
《本草》云∶主目中赤痛， 伤泪出，瘀血血闭，寒热酸 ，无子。炒，去翅、足。
气微寒，味咸、苦，平。有毒。
《本草》云∶主逐恶血，瘀血月闭，破血瘕积聚，无子，利水道，堕胎。炒用。畏盐。
苦走血，咸胜血，仲景抵当汤用虻虫、水蛭，咸苦以泄畜血。故《经》云∶有故无殒也。虽
可用之，亦不甚安。莫若四物汤加酒浸大黄各半，下之极妙。
味咸，寒。有毒。
《本草》云∶主心腹寒热洒洒，血积症瘕，破坚，下血闭，生子大良。仲景主治久瘕积
结，有大黄 虫丸。
《衍义》云∶乳汁不行，研一枚，水半合，滤清汁服。勿令服药人知之。
气温，微寒，味酸。无毒。
《本草》云∶主气癃不得小便，妇人月水闭，血瘕痫痉，寒热，利水道。仲景治久疟，
大鳖甲丸中使之。以其主寒热也。
《衍义》云∶鼠妇，湿生虫也。
微寒。
《本草》云∶主大人小儿 疝。七月七日取其网，疗喜忘。仲景治杂病。狐疝，偏有大
小，时时上下者，蜘蛛一十
四个，熬焦，桂半两。研细为散。八分匕，酒调服，日再。蜜丸
亦通。
[Wen Ge (Clam Shell)]
Qi is neutral, taste is salty. Non-toxic.
Bencao states: It treats malignant sores, erodes the five types of hemorrhoids, cough with reverse flow and chest bi syndrome, lower back pain with tightness in the flanks, scrofula (lymphatic tuberculosis), bleeding from the anus, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea. It can promote urination. It treats acute gan accumulation eroding the mouth and nose, causing rotting within a few days to the point of near death; burn it to ash, mix with lard from the twelfth lunar month, and apply externally. (This refers to) Ha Fen (Shell Powder), which descends phlegm and softens hardness, stops thirst, and has astringent and consolidating properties. Salty taste enters the Kidney and can overcome water pathologies. Wen Ge has purple spots on its tip.
[Qiang Lang (Dung Beetle)]
Qi is slightly cold, taste is bitter, nature is neutral. Toxic.
Bencao states: It treats redness and pain in the eyes, eye injury with tearing, blood stasis and amenorrhea, alternating chills and fever, soreness and pain, and infertility. Stir-fry, remove wings and legs.
[Tie Chong (Ground Beetle)]
Qi is slightly cold, taste is salty and bitter, nature is neutral. Toxic.
Bencao states: It expels evil blood, blood stasis, and amenorrhea; breaks up blood masses and accumulations; treats infertility; promotes urination; and induces abortion. Use after stir-frying. It fears salt.
Bitter taste enters the Blood aspect, salty taste overcomes Blood. Zhang Zhongjing uses Ting Chong (Blowfly) and Shui Zhi (Leech) in Di Dang Tang, utilizing their salty and bitter properties to drain accumulated blood. Thus, the Jing (Classic) states: "When there is pathology, there is no injury [to the healthy qi]." Although these can be used, they are not entirely safe. It is better to use Si Wu Tang combined with Da Huang (Rhubarb Root) soaked in wine, in equal halves, to purge downwards, which is extremely effective.
[Tu Bie Chong (Ground Beetle/Eupolyphaga)]
Taste is salty, nature is cold. Toxic.
Bencao states: It treats alternating chills and fever in the heart and abdomen, blood accumulation and zheng masses, breaks down hard accumulations, promotes menstruation, and is highly beneficial for conception. Zhang Zhongjing treats long-standing jia accumulations with Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan.
Yanyi states: For milk duct obstruction, grind one Tu Bie Chong, add half he of water, filter for clear juice, and drink. Do not let the patient know.
[Shu Fu (Woodlouse)]
Qi is warm, slightly cold, taste is sour. Non-toxic.
Bencao states: It treats qi stagnation leading to urinary retention, female menstrual amenorrhea, blood masses causing epilepsy and spasms, alternating chills and fever, and promotes urination. Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Da Bie Jia Wan for treating chronic malaria, because it treats alternating chills and fever.
Yanyi states: Shu Fu is an insect born from dampness.
[Zhi Zhu (Spider)]
Slightly cold.
Bencao states: It treats hernia in adults and children. Collect its web on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month to treat forgetfulness. Zhang Zhongjing uses it for miscellaneous diseases. For hu hernia (hernia where testicles vary in size and move up and down), use fourteen spiders, roasted until scorched, plus Ban Liang of Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig). Grind into a fine powder. Take eight fen bi doses, mixed with wine, twice daily. Honey pills are also acceptable.