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Shufu (Crab Lice)

Taste: Sour. Nature: Warm or slightly cold. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Actions: Treats Qi Long (obstruction of urination), inability to void urine, amenorrhea in women, Xue Jia (blood masses in the abdomen), epilepsy, alternating chills and fever, and promotes the flow of water passages. Also known as Fu Pan (pronounced "fan"), Yi Fang (pronounced "yi fang"), Wei (pronounced "wei"). Grows in Pinggu, Wei Commandery, and on the ground of households; collected on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

Tao Hongjing states: It is also called Shu Fu (Mouse Carrying), saying that mice are often found in depressions, carrying it on their backs. The current character "Fu" (Woman) seems inconsistent with reason. It is also named Shu Gu.

Chen Yuxi et al., according to the Shu Edition Annotation: The *Erya* states that Pan is Shu Fu. It is mostly found at the bottom of jars and earthen pits, often clinging to the backs of mice, hence the name. Common people also call it Shu Nian (Mouse Sticking), similar to earwax, named Yang Fu Lai (Sheep Carrying). Ri Huazi states: Shu Fu insect is toxic. It promotes urination and can induce abortion.

Tu Jing states: Shu Fu grows in Pinggu, Wei Commandery, and on household grounds; it is now available everywhere. It is mostly found at the bottom of jars in damp places and in earthen pits, often clinging to... Wei, Wei Shu. The *Book of Songs · Dong Shan* says: "Wei is in the room." Zheng Xuan's commentary states: This creature arises when a house is unoccupied. However, the *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* also has this name, indicating its use for treating alternating chills and fever.

Qianjin Fang: For treating difficult urination postpartum. Seven pieces of Shu Fu, used alone, roasted into powder, taken once mixed with wine.

Yanyi states: Shu Fu is a worm born from dampness, with many legs, colored like an earthworm, with raised transverse wrinkles on its back. The large ones are three to four fen long. They are found everywhere, more so in brick crevices and damp places, but are rarely used.

Yinghuo (Fireflies)

Taste: Pungent. Nature: Slightly warm. Toxicity: Non-toxic. Actions: Improves vision, treats infant fire sores, clears pathogenic heat, treats Gu Du (parasitic poisoning), Gui Zhu (infectious consumption disease), and nourishes the spirit. Also known as Ye Guang (Night Light), Fang Guang (Radiant Light), Yi (pronounced "ru zhe", "zhuo qie"), Ji (pronounced "zhao"). Grows in terraced lands and marshes. Collected on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, dried in the shade.

Tao Hongjing states: These are transformed from rotting grass and rotten bamboo roots. Initially, they do not look like insects, but there is already light under their bellies. After a few days, they transform and can fly. Alchemists capture them, place them in wine until dead, then dry them. Folk physicians rarely use them. Chen Yuxi et al., according to the Shu Edition Annotation: The *Erya* states that Ying Huo is... The annotation says: Flies at night, with firelight under the belly. According to this, the insect is transformed from rotten grass. The *Lüshi Chunqiu* states: Rotting grass transforms into fireflies. *Xing Ming Lun* states: Ying Huo can be used alone to treat Qing Mang (blindness).

Yanyi states: Fireflies often emerge around the Great Heat solar term, transformed by the Qi of the great fire, thus shining brightly. They are rarely used nowadays. Although the *Monthly Ordinances* state they are transformed from rotting grass, they ultimately do not arise without yin-damp places.