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**Zha Chan (Cicada)**

Taste: Salty, sweet. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic.
Indications: Mainly treats pediatric convulsions and epilepsy (seizures induced by fright), nocturnal crying, manic-depressive disorders (dian disease), alternating chills and fever, palpitations and anxiety, difficult labor in women, retention of the placenta, and also has the effect of inducing abortion. It grows on willow trees. Collected in the fifth lunar month, steamed and dried for use; care must be taken to prevent rotting.

Tao Hongjing states: The character "Zha" is pronounced as "Ze", referring to the mute cicada (Wu-xia-qie pronunciation). The mute cicada is the female cicada, which cannot sing. There are many species of cicadas. *Zhuangzi* mentions: "The Hui-gu does not know spring or autumn," referring to the small purple-green cicada seen in the fourth and fifth months. However, *Li Sao* says: "The Hui-gu chirps jiu-jiu, lamenting at year's end," which refers to the cold cicada that sings bitterly in the ninth and tenth months. Those singing in the second month are called "Ning-mu" (pronunciation Ning), smaller than the cold cicada. Those singing in the seventh and eighth months are called "Diao-Liao" (pronunciation Diao, Liao), with a green color. The statement that this cicada grows on willow trees is correct. *Shi Jing* (Book of Songs) mentions: "Singing Tiao," describing a large, black cicada resembling a hunchbacked old man, which was eaten by ancients. Thus, *Li Ji* (Book of Rites) lists sparrow, Yan (pronunciation Yan), Tiao, and Fan. Fan has a crest, and the cicada has wings, also referred to as this Tiao. This Tiao begins singing in the fifth month. Folklore holds that if it does not sing in the fifth month, infants will suffer disasters; its medicinal efficacy is now specifically used for pediatric conditions. The *Tang Ben Zhu* notes: *Bie Lu* records that the shell is named "Ku Chan" (Withered Cicada), also known as "Fu Yu" (pronunciation Yu). It treats pediatric epilepsy and retained placenta in women. When calcined into ash and ingested, it treats chronic dysentery. It further states that "Zha" refers to the singing male cicada, treating pediatric epilepsy where the child cannot speak. The current description of the "mute cicada" as the female cicada contradicts practical usage; examining various insects and beasts, the male is considered superior.

Chen Yuxi et al., according to the *Shu Ben Tu Jing*, state: This is the singing cicada, collected in the sixth and seventh months, steamed and dried. Tao Hongjing claimed it was the mute female cicada. These two statements contradict each other. According to *Yu Pian*, "Zha" means the sound of the cicada. Thus, it is clearly not the mute cicada. Furthermore, there are many cicada species, including Hui-gu and Han-chuan. *Erya* states: Ma-tiao (Horse Tiao) and Han-tiao (Cold Tiao) are both cicadas. According to *Li Ji*, in the mid-summer month, cicadas begin to sing. *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* states collection in the fifth month, which aligns with this timing; other varieties are not used medicinally. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Zha Chan, used as an auxiliary herb, tastes sour. It mainly treats incessant crying from fright in children, kills gut parasites, clears intense heat, and treats rumbling sounds in the intestines. It also states: Chan Tui (Cicada Slough), used as an auxiliary herb, treats intense whole-body heat in children, convulsions and epilepsy, and can also relieve thirst.

Tu Jing states: *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* does not record the origin province/region for Zha Chan, only stating it grows on willows, but it is found everywhere today. Tao Hongjing identified it as the mute cicada. Su Gong identified it as the singing cicada. The views differ. Lexical dictionaries define "Zha" as the sound of the cicada. *Yue Ling* (Monthly Ordinances) states: In the mid-summer month, cicadas begin to sing, indicating they start singing in the fifth month. *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* also states collection in the fifth month, coinciding exactly with the time noted in *Yue Ling* when they begin singing. Thus, Su Gong's view is correct. Although there are many cicada species, *Erya* mentions Ma-tiao. Guo Pu's commentary notes: The largest among tiao is the Ma-chan. The ones singing in summer are larger than others. Tao cited *Shi Jing*'s "Ming Tiao," describing them as large and black, eaten by ancients. The cicada ornaments on ritual caps are also large and black, belonging to this category. Therefore, the Ma-tiao of *Erya*, the Ming-tiao of poets, the cicada of *Yue Ling* and ritualists, and the Zha-chan of materia medica are essentially the same species. Among the numerous cicada types, only this one is commonly used. Medical formulas often use cicada slough, which is the shed skin of this cicada, also named Ku Chan. Originally born in the soil, folklore says it forms from dung beetles' pellets over time, transforming into this insect, which climbs trees to molt upon reaching maturity. After collection, it should be steamed to prevent insect damage. In Shu region, there is a variety where the shed shell has a horn-like protrusion resembling a flower crown, called "Chan Hua" (Cicada Flower). Some bring it from the west to the capital; physicians claim it is highly effective medicinally.

Chen Cangqi: Hui-gu, Han-chuan, Ning-mu, Tiao, Fan, and Chan are listed. Commentary: Tao Hongjing said Hui-gu sings in April and May, small and purple. *Li Sao* says: "Hui-gu chirps jiu-jiu," referring to the cold cicada. Those singing in February are called Ning-mu, similar to cold cicada but smaller. Those singing in July are called [Name], green in color. *Shi Jing* says: "Ming Tiao," large and black, eaten by ancients. *Ancient Rites* say: Sparrow, [Name], Tiao, Fan. Fan has a crest, Cicada has wings. The five insects above Tiao belong to the Cicada family. *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* says: Lou-gu, also named Hui-gu. Besides its original function, its brain juice boiled and drunk treats retained placenta postpartum. There is a standard transmission, yet Hui-gu is not Lou-gu; the names are confused. *Zi Lin* says: Chan is Hui-gu; [Name] is Cicada genus. *Cao Mu Shu* says: Chan is also named [Name]. In Qing and Xu regions, it is called [Name]; Chu people call it Hui-gu; Qin and Yan call it [Name]. Guo Pu comments: Commonly called Chan; Song and Wei call it Tiao-tang; Chu calls it Hui-gu; Guandong calls it [Name]. Tao also commented on Sang Piao Xiao saying: Locals call mantis [Name]; Mantis is not a cicada type; Tao was mistaken. Tiao slough ground to powder, one qian bi, taken well water, treats jaw-lock disease. Han-chuan, Tiao, Fan, referred to as [Name] in *Yue Ling*. Ning-mu is also a small cicada. *Li Ji* commentary says: Tiao is Cicada; Fan is Bee. Since *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing*, Tiao and above have no other specific functions. *Sheng Hui Fang*: Treats vertigo/head wind. Use 1 liang Cicada Slough, lightly stir-fried to powder. Take 1 qian bi with warm wine at any time. *Ji Yan Fang*: Treats wind-pathogen in skin causing persistent itching. Equal parts Cicada Slough and Mint Leaves, ground to powder. Mix with wine, take 1 qian bi, three times daily. Imperial Pharmacy: Treats head wind and dizziness. Cicada Slough powder, taken with cooked water.

*Yan Yi* states: Zha Chan refers to those whose bodies and voices are large in summer. Their voice remains consistent throughout life. They emerge at dusk/night: coming out of the soil, climbing to high places, splitting their backs to exit the shell. They emerge at night for two reasons: fear of humans and fear of sun drying the shell before molting. When cold comes, they fall to the ground. Children keep them, requiring no food for days. Ancients believed they drink wind and dew, which is true, as they urinate without defecating, proving this. In Western Sichuan, there is "Chan Hua," where the cicada fails to exit the shell and transforms into a flower emerging from the top. The shell also treats cloudy vision. Boiling the shell in water and drinking the juice effectively treats delayed eruption of childhood rashes.