Cicada
Aliases：Diāo, Míng Tiáo (recorded in Shijing — The Book of Songs), Mián, Mǎ Tiáo (recorded in Erya — The Literary Expositor), Liáo (recorded in Fangyan — Dialects), Míng Chán (recorded in Xinxiu Bencao — Newly Revised Materia Medica), Qiū Chán (recorded in Shenghui Fang — Prescriptions of the Holy Benevolence), Zhī Liáo (recorded in Qixiu Leibian — Classified Compendium of the Seven Studies), Zhī Liǎo (recorded in Shuowen Tongxun Dingsheng — An Exegesis of the Shuowen Jiezi), and Liáo Liáo (recorded in Zhongyao Zhi — Chinese Medicinal Records). These are all alternative names for Zhà Chán, i.e., the black cicada (Cryptotympana pustulata / Cryptotympana atrata).
Zhà Chán (Cicada) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the whole body of the black cicada Cryptotympana pustulata Fabr. (also known as Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius), an insect belonging to the family Cicadidae. It was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, calms wind, and relieves convulsions.
Indications
Fever in children, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, night crying, and migraine. In addition, it is also used for difficult lactation and retained placenta in women.
Modern Pharmacology
Anticonvulsant effect: Inhibits abnormal discharges in the central nervous system, providing sedation for infantile convulsions, epilepsy, and other conditions. Sedative effect: Exhibits significant calming effects, useful for treating night crying and restlessness in children. Antipyretic effect: Lowers body temperature and helps reduce fever in children. Antiallergic effect: Useful for treating allergic conditions such as rubella with itching. Antitussive and antiasthmatic effects: Relieves cough and wheezing symptoms. Anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects: Exhibits certain anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
Ingredients
Chitin: Present in large amounts; the main component of the insect exoskeleton. Proteins and Amino Acids: Contains various amino acids, including aspartic acid, threonine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, valine, and leucine, etc. Pteridine Pigments: Contains alloxanthopterin, erythropterin, etc. Organic Acids: Contains various organic acids. Phenolic Compounds: Contains phenolic components. Others: Contains 7.86% nitrogen and 14.57% ash content.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 1–3 cicadas; or prepare as pills or powders.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with cold syndromes or deficiency syndromes: This herb is cold in nature and should not be used in those with cold or deficiency patterns. Use with caution during pregnancy: According to Mingyi Bielu (The Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians), it is recorded that this herb "can induce abortion"; therefore, pregnant women should use it with caution.
Selected Formulas
For infantile wind‑heat with palpitations and fright (Sheng Hui Fang, Zhachan San) Take 0.5 liang of cicada (wings and feet removed, lightly stir‑fried), 0.5 liang of Fushen (Poria with pine root), 3 fen of Longchi (dragon tooth, finely ground), 0.5 liang of Maimendong (Ophiopogon, core removed, dried), 3 fen of Renshen (Ginseng, rootlet removed), 3 fen of Gouteng (Uncaria stem), 2 qian of Niuhuang (Bovine bezoar, finely ground), 5 cun of Shetuipi (snake slough, burned to ash), and 2 fen of Xingren (Apricot seed, soaked in water, peeled, tip and double‑kernel removed, stir‑fried with bran until yellow). Grind into a powder. Take 0.5 qian each time with fresh water, adjusting the dose according to the child's age. For convulsions in newborns within the first 100 days (Puji Fang, Zhachan San) Take 3 fen each of calcined cicada and Chishao (red peony root), and 2 fen of Huangqin (Scutellaria). Grind into powder. Add one small cup of water, decoct to 50%, strain, and take. For various wind‑epilepsies with profuse phlegm in the chest (Puji Fang, Zhachan Tang) Take 7 dried cicadas (lightly roasted), 1 liang of Baixianpi (Dictamnus root bark), 1 fen each of Gouteng, Xixin (Asarum, soil removed), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum, chopped and lightly roasted), Tianma (Gastrodia), and Niuhuang (Bovine bezoar, separately ground), and about 5 cun of Shetui (snake slough, roasted until yellow). Grind into powder and mix with Niuhuang. For each dose, take 1 qian, add 8 fen of water, a little Renshen (Ginseng) and Bohe (Mint), decoct to 50%, strain, and take slightly warm. For convulsions within the first 100 days (Bencao Gangmu) Take 3 fen of cicada (wings and feet removed, roasted), 3 fen of Chishao (red peony root), and 2 fen of Huangqin (Scutellaria). Add 2 bowls of water, decoct to 1 bowl, and take warm. For tetanus with opisthotonos (Bencao Gangmu) Take one autumn cicada, 8 fen of Difuzi (Kochia fruit, stir‑fried), and a little Shexiang (Musk). Grind together into powder, and take 2 qian with wine.
Daily Consumption
The cicada (commonly known as "zhī liǎo") can be consumed as food. The larvae of the cicada (cicada nymphs) are rich in protein and amino acids and can be deep‑fried, providing nutritional supplementation and strengthening the body. Thorough cleaning and adequate heating are essential before consumption.
Medicinal Parts
It is the whole body of the black cicada Cryptotympana pustulata (also known as Cryptotympana atrata), an insect belonging to the family Cicadidae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place in airtight containers, protected from insects.
