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Mu Meng (Musca Domestica / Horsefly Larva)

Bitter, neutral in nature, toxic. Primarily treats redness and pain of the eyes, lachrymation due to wind exposure, blood stasis, amenorrhea, alternating chills and fever, limb soreness, and infertility. Also known as Hun Chang. Grows in the rivers and marshes of Hanzhong; harvested in the fifth month.

Tao Hongjing stated: This type of fly does not suck blood. It resembles a horsefly but is smaller. It is rarely seen in grass near roads, and few are sold in markets. The prescriptions use only small, large-green flies named Lu Meng, which are as large as houseflies and bite cattle and horses fiercely. These three types of flies take treating blood disorders as their fundamental function. Although other therapeutic effects have slight differences... [Text fragment]: Initially emerging like white maggots, they gradually grow larger, undergo metamorphosis, break out of the shell, and fly, becoming capable of biting objects. They exist in the north of the Great Wall and are extremely abundant in Lingnan, resembling ants formed from ancient flower buds.

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* lists both Mu Meng and Fei Meng, clearly indicating that Mu Meng refers to the fly before flight (within leaves), while Fei Meng refers to the flying insect. "Fei" implies metamorphosis, similar to a silkworm in the pupal stage.

The *Bencao Tujing* states: Mu Meng grows in the rivers and marshes of Hanzhong. Fei Meng grows in the river valleys of Jiangxia. Currently, they are found everywhere, especially in abundance around Xiangyang and Han water. There are several types of flies used by physicians through inheritance... [Text fragment].

Ge Hong's *Zhouhou Beiji Fang* states: For the prescription treating snake bites causing bleeding from all nine orifices, take 21-30 flies whose bellies are full after feeding on cattle or horse blood, burn them, and administer orally. Yang Shi's Obstetrics section: For the prescription to expel the fetus when the mother is critically ill and prognosis is poor, take 10 flies, grind into powder, and administer with wine to induce expulsion.

Yanyi states: Mu Meng has three sizes. Fei Meng is widely used today; it is as large as a bee, with a concave and flat abdomen, slightly yellowish-green in color, male... [Text fragment].

Fei Meng (Musca Domestica / Horsefly Adult)

Salty, slightly cold in nature, toxic. Primarily drives out blood stasis, breaks down lower jiao blood accumulations, hard masses and zheng-jia (abdominal masses), alternating chills and fever, unblocks blood vessels and the nine orifices, treats amenorrhea in women, accumulations, removes dead blood in the chest, abdomen, and five zang organs, and treats throat bi obstruction. Grows in the river valleys of Jiangxia. Harvested in the fifth month; those with blood in the belly are superior.

Tao Hongjing stated: This is the fly that currently sucks cattle and horse blood. Capture it when its belly is full and dry it. Prescriptions all call it Bichong (Horsefly). The *Tang Bencao Zhu* states: All three types of flies feed on cattle and horses, not just this one. As long as obtained, they are usable; why must one wait for them to be full? However, capture is still required. If reasoning logically, it should be like raising hawks: useful when hungry. If waiting until they are full, how can they cure disease? Minister Yuxi et al. noted according to *Yaoxing Lun*: Bichong, Shi, also known as Fei Meng, is incompatible with Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba). Rihua Zi stated: Breaks up pathological masses, eliminates accumulated pus, induces abortion. For pills and powders, remove wings and feet, stir-fry before use.

The content of *Bencao Tujing* is detailed under the entry for Mu Meng.
The content of *Yanyi* is detailed under the entry for Mu Meng.