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Scarabaeus (Kuanglang)

Taste: Salty. Nature: Cold. Toxicity: Toxic. Indications: Primarily treats pediatric convulsions and epilepsy, abdominal distension, alternating chills and fever, and adult manic psychosis (pronunciation: yang). Coldness in the extremities of hands and feet, limb fullness, and Ben Tun Qi (fleeing gas). Also known as (pronunciation: jie) Kuang (pronunciation: qiang). Fire-roasting is effective. Grows in ponds and marshes of Changsha. Collected on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, steamed, and stored for use when needed.

Tao Hongjing states: The "Zhuangzi" records, "The wisdom of the scarab lies in rolling balls." It prefers to enter human feces, taking out fecal pellets and pushing them backward, commonly called "pushing pills." One should select large specimens; there are three or four varieties, with those having flat snouts considered authentic. Tang Ben Zhu notes: "Mingyi Bielu" records that crushing it into pills and inserting them into the lower anus can draw out hemorrhoid worms completely, leading to permanent cure. Ministers Yuxi et al., according to the Shu Ben Tu Jing, state: There are many types of this insect; those with high snouts and deep eyes are named Hu Kuanglang (Wild Scarab), which are now found everywhere. Yao Xing Lun states: Kuanglang serves as a guiding drug, primarily treating pediatric malnutrition caused by parasitic erosion. Ri Hua Zi states: It can induce abortion, treat Zh Wu disease (infectious wasting syndrome), and when mixed with dried ginger, applied to malignant sores, it can extract arrowheads; its feces inserted into hemorrhoids can expel worms. For medicinal use, remove legs and stir-fry.

Tu Jing states: Kuanglang grows in Changsha's ponds and marshes but is now ubiquitous. Varieties are numerous; select the large ones. Those with high snouts and deep eyes, named Hu Kuanglang, are best for use. Collected on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, steamed and stored. When used, it must be roasted, not placed in water, otherwise it causes vomiting. Pediatric Malnutrition Parasite Formula: Uses this drug frequently. Kuanglang Xin (Heart of Scarab) treats Ding Chuang (carbuncle), though it is not listed in the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing". Liu Yuxi of the Tang Dynasty compiled in "Liuzhou Jiu San Si Fang": In the 11th year of Yuanhe, he suffered from a carbuncle for fourteen days, worsening daily; various good medicines failed. Jia Fangbo of Changle taught using Kuanglang Xin, after one night all pains ceased. In January of the following year, eating mutton caused a severe recurrence; using it again proved miraculous. Method: Apply the single ingredient to the sore, replace every half day. Once blood is exhausted and the root emerges, it heals. Extract the heart from the ventral side; the flesh is slightly white. The reason eating mutton causes severe recurrence is that scarabs fear mutton. Mutton must be avoided during treatment. This method originates from Ge Hong's "Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang". It also treats arrowheads embedded in bone that cannot be extracted. Lightly roast Ba Dou (Croton Seed) and Kuanglang, grind together evenly, apply to the injury. After a moment, pain stops and slight itching occurs; endure it. When itching becomes unbearable, shake the arrowhead to extract it immediately. This formula was passed down from Xiahou Yun. When Yun first served as Registrar of Langzhou, a man had an arrow scar on his forehead. He explained he was shot while serving Marshal Ma in the campaign against Tian Yue. Marshal Ma gave him this medicine, allowing immediate extraction. Later, applying Sheng Ji Gao (Regenerating Ointment) cured him without pain, thus obtaining the formula. The source said: It can also treat various sores. After Yun obtained the formula, at an inn in Hongzhou, the owner's wife suffered from sores with extreme groaning. Testing this medicine cured her immediately. It also treats sand or dust entering the eye that cannot be removed. Take one live Kuanglang.

Chen Cangqi states: Treats bee stings. Burn dead Kuanglang to powder, mix with vinegar, and apply. Sheng Hui Fang: Treats all malignant sores, Sha Shi Shui Nu (sand fly bites/water弩), and malignant abscesses. Use ten Kuanglang; those collected on Dragon Boat Festival and dried are best. Pound into powder, mix with oil, and apply. Wai Tai Mi Yao: Treats You Chuang Feng (verrucous wind). Take dead Kuanglang found on roads, pound until paste-like. If there are malignant sores around that are unidentified. Pound Kuanglang, squeeze out juice, and apply. Liu Juanzi: Treats Shu Lou (scrofula/rat fistula). Powder dead Kuanglang, mix with sour wine (vinegar), and apply. Repeat several times.

Yan Yi states: There are two sizes of Kuanglang: One large type is Hu Kuanglang, black and shiny body, with small yellow spots under the abdominal wings. Larvae attach to the mother and fly away completely.