The efficacy and function of water strider

As a traditional Chinese medicine, water strider provides us with a variety of nutrients. It can also solve some diseases encountered by the body, so it is deeply loved by people. Let’s take a look at the nutrients and benefits of water striders.

[Alias] Water horse (Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica), water reptile (Compendium of Materia Medica), old woman (Treasure Mirror of Eastern Medicine), water monk, water bean oil (Insect Taxonomy by Cai Banghua).

[Source] The whole insect of the water strider family.

[Original form] The body is slender, dark brown, and about 1 cm long. The head is triangular and slightly long. There is a pair of compound eyes located on both sides; the simple eyes are degenerate; the snout is slightly long, divided into 3 sections, the second section is the longest; the antennae are filamentous, with 4 sections, protruding from the front of the head. The prothorax is elongated, the back is dark brown, the forewings are leathery and have no membranous part; there are three pairs of legs, the forelegs are shorter, the middle and hind legs are very long, and there are two tarsal segments. The belly is gray, and the underside of the body is covered with silky fine hairs.

【Properties and flavors】 "Compendium of Materia Medica": "toxic."

【Function and indication】 "Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica": "Treats hemorrhoids."

[Additional prescription] To treat all types of hemorrhoids: Take 30 pieces of basil, wrap them in three papers, 10 pieces in each package, and hang them in a shady place to dry. Take one dose from each packet, grind it into a paste, and drink it with warm wine on an empty stomach. Wait for a long time before eating. Take three doses for three consecutive days. For long-term hemorrhoids with pus and blood, take the medicine 20 to 30 times. (Shui Ma San from Dong Yi Bao Jian)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From 1. "Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica": Water striders are poisonous and can kill chickens and dogs. They are about an inch long, have four legs, swim in groups on the water, and fly away when the water dries up. It is also called water horse, but it is not the water horse in the sea that causes childbirth difficulties.

This article introduces to us what water striders are. We know that water striders have very high medicinal effects, but we must remind everyone that water striders generally cannot be eaten indiscriminately, otherwise it will cause serious consequences. I hope everyone will treat it with caution.