Huechys
Aliases：Chū Jī, Hóng Niáng Chóng, Me Gū Chóng, Hóng Nǚ, Hóng Gū Niáng, Hóng Chán, Huī Huā É.
Hóng Niáng Zǐ is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the whole body of Huechys sanguinea De Geer, Huechys thoracica Distant, and Huechys philaemata Fabricius, insects belonging to the genus Huechys of the family Cicadidae.
Efficacy & Actions
Breaks stasis, disperses nodules, and attacks toxins.
Indications
Indicated for blood stasis with amenorrhea, lower back pain, infertility, scrofula, tinea, and rabies bites. It may also be used for scrofulous tuberculosis, scabies, and malignant sores.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Hóng Niáng Zǐ contains cantharidin and other components. Its active anticancer component is cantharidin, which has been shown to significantly inhibit various transplanted tumors and prolong the survival time of experimental animals. The protein components of both raw and processed Hóng Niáng Zǐ have shown good inhibitory effects on the migration and proliferation of Bel-7402 liver cancer cells. In modern clinical practice, it is used in the treatment of various malignant tumors including esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, malignant lymphoma, and penile cancer.
Ingredients
Hóng Niáng Zǐ contains cantharidin, as well as wax, fatty oils, and red and black pigments. The raw product contains 16.04% total sugars, 568.789 μg/g of hypoxanthine, 367.077 μg/g of xanthine, and 116.504 μg/g of adenine.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: grind into powder and make into pills or powders, 0.15–0.3 g. Generally not used in decoctions; it is usually stir-fried with rice, ground into powder, and taken in pills or powders. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, ground into powder and applied topically to the affected area.
Contraindications
This product is highly toxic and should be used internally with extreme caution—it must be used under the guidance of a physician. Contraindicated during pregnancy—may cause severe harm to the fetus. Contraindicated in patients with debility, Qi-blood deficiency, or without blood stasis. Contraindicated in children. Wear gloves and a mask during capture—this insect secretes a toxic fluid that can irritate the skin and cause blistering. Literature reports indicate that it may cause kidney damage.
Selected Formulas
For scrofulous nodules (Weisheng Yijian Fang) Take 14 pieces of Hongniangzi (Lytta caraganae), 1 qian each of Ruxiang (Frankincense) and Pishuang (Arsenic), 1.5 qian of Naosha (Sal ammoniac), and 5 fen of Huangdan (Lead oxide). Grind into powder, mix with glutinous rice paste to make a cake, and apply as a plaster. For inguinal bubo and venereal sores (Jidetang Jingyan Fang) Make a hole in one egg, insert 6 Hongniangzi, wrap in paper and bake until cooked. Remove the insects, eat the egg, and follow with wine. For rabies bite (Tan Yeweng Shiyan Fang) Take 2 Hongniangzi, 5 Banmao (Mylabris, with wings and legs removed; for age 40 add 1 of each, for age 50 add 2 of each), 3 Qingniangzi (a similar insect, with wings and legs removed; for age 40 add 1, for age 50–60 add 3), half a Haima (seahorse), 1 fen of Xusuizi (Euphorbia lathyris), 0.5 fen each of Ruxiang, Chenxiang (Agarwood), and Jiegeng (Platycodon), and a little Suyou (butter). Grind into powder. For age 10, divide into 4 doses; age 15 into 3 doses; age 20 into 2 doses; age 30 into 1 dose. For low back pain due to injury (Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 1 Hongniangzi, grind into powder, and take with yellow wine.
Daily Consumption
Hóng Niáng Zǐ is a highly toxic medicinal material and should not be used as a daily food ingredient. All medicinal use must be conducted under the guidance of a qualified physician. Self-collection, preparation, or consumption is strictly prohibited. Even for external use, caution is required—it should be ground into powder and applied topically to the affected area only.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole body (whole insect).
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.
