Formicae Corpus
Aliases：Ant, also known as Xuanju (dark colt), Kunfu (many ants), Mayi (horse ant), and Pifu (large ant).
Ant (Formicae Corpus) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried whole body of various non‑toxic ant species, such as Formica fusca Linnaeus and Polyrhachis vicina Roger, belonging to the family Formicidae. The medicinal use of ants has a long history; as early as the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), there are records of "ant larva paste" being served as imperial court food. During the Ming Dynasty, the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) referred to ants as "Xuanju" (dark colts) and provided detailed accounts of their dietary and therapeutic values. This medicinal material was first recorded in the Supplements to the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Shiyi).
Efficacy & Actions
onifies the Kidney, supplements essence, unblocks the meridians, activates the collaterals, removes toxicity, and reduces swelling.
Indications
It is used for dizziness, tinnitus, and diminished hearing due to Kidney deficiency; insomnia with excessive dreaming; impotence and spermatorrhea; rheumatic arthralgia; hemiplegia due to stroke; numbness of the hands and feet; systemic lupus erythematosus; scleroderma; dermatomyositis; carbuncles, boils and sores; and snake bites.
Modern Pharmacology
Bidirectional immunomodulatory effect: Ants act as a broad-spectrum immune enhancer, capable of regulating immune function. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects: Relieves both acute and chronic experimental inflammation, reduces capillary permeability, and inhibits the formation of chronic granulomas. Sedative effect: Exhibits sedative effects. Hepatoprotective effect: Has protective effects on the liver. Antiasthmatic and antispasmodic effects. Endocrine-promoting effects. Enhancing endurance and delaying aging: Exhibits anti-aging effects. Activating blood circulation and resolving stasis. Anti-stress effects. Improving sexual function.
Ingredients
Amino acids: Contains various free amino acids, mainly proline, alanine, glutamic acid, and serine. Fatty acids: Contains oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, etc. Inorganic elements: Contains trace elements such as selenium and germanium. Vitamins: Contains vitamins B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂, E, etc. Others: Contains crude protein, fats, formic acid, etc. Formica fusca also contains various saturated and unsaturated alkanes, farnesol, etc.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: grind into powder, 2–5 g; or prepare as pills; or steep in wine for oral use. For topical application: apply an appropriate amount, mashed, to the affected area.
Contraindications
Patients with severe stomach disorders or gastric ulcers are not suitable for use. Patients with allergic asthma are not suitable for use. This product is toxic (in its raw form) and should be used under the guidance of a physician. Some ancient materia medica record that ants are slightly toxic, but select quality strains become non‑toxic after proper processing.
Selected Formulas
For strengthening qi, improving complexion, and promoting lactation (for post-illness debility and postpartum insufficient milk) (empirical formula) Take 9-15g of non-toxic ants (of a good species), stir-fry until yellow, grind into powder, and take with water. For male infertility (empirical formula) Take dried ant powder, 15g daily, taken once or in divided doses. One course lasts 30 days. For impotence (empirical formula, Xuanju Xingyang San) Take 300 large ants, 30g of Sangpiaoxiao (Mantis egg-case), 20g of Jiuxiangchong (Aspongopus), 10g of Renshen (Ginseng), 20g of Yinyanghuo (Epimedium), 30g of Jiucaizi (Chinese chive seed), 30g of Gouqizi (Goji berry), 5g of Guizhi (Cinnamon twig), and 15g of Baishao (White peony root). Grind into fine powder. Take 7-10g each time, 3 times daily, on an empty stomach with a little yellow wine. For rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (empirical formula) Take good species of ants, dry and grind into powder, mix with honey to make pills. Adults take 5g each time, 3 times daily. For numbness of hands and feet and migrating pain throughout the body (peripheral neuritis) (empirical formula) Soak 60g of large ants in 0.5kg of white liquor for 15 days. Adults take 15-30ml orally each time, morning and evening. For hepatitis B surface antigen positivity (empirical formula, Mayi Yigan Ning) Take 50g of wild ants (good species), 10g each of Yinchen (Artemisia capillaris), raw Huangqi (Astragalus), and Sanqi (Notoginseng), and 5g each of Wuweizi (Schisandra), Xianlingpi (Epimedium), Biejia (Turtle shell), and Huzhang (Polygonum cuspidatum). Grind into fine powder. Take 5g each time, 3 times daily, mixed with honey after meals. Children take half the dose. One course lasts 3 months; generally 2 courses are used. For infantile malnutrition (gan) (empirical formula) Crack 1 egg into a bowl, add an equal amount of water, then add 3g of ant powder, mix well, and steam-cook in a double boiler. Take orally. For furuncle toxin swelling and snake bites (empirical formula) Take black ants, pound them into a pulp, and apply to the affected area.
Daily Consumption
Ant powder for oral use: Grind the dried ants into powder, and take it with boiled water. Ant wine: Soak the ants in white liquor for half a month, then drink. Ant steamed egg: Steam the ant powder together with eggs.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried whole body of various non‑toxic ants, such as Formica fusca Linnaeus and Polyrhachis vicina Roger, belonging to the family Formicidae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects. Keep in a sealed container.
