The efficacy and function of fireflies

Traditional Chinese medicine is a Chinese tradition. For many Chinese people, seeing a Chinese doctor and taking Chinese medicine when they are sick is their tradition and habit. Therefore, Chinese medicine is liked by many people. Firefly is a common Chinese medicinal material. Let’s learn about it together.

[Other names] Xiaoxing (The Book of Songs), Phosphorus (Mao Shi Zhuan), Danniao, Danliang (Xia Xiaozheng), Jizhao (Erya), Yeguang (Benjing), Yezhao, Jingtian, Firefighting, Holding Fire, Holding Fire (Wu Pu's Materia Medica), Shining at night, Xiaozhu (Cui Bao's Ancient and Modern Notes), Letting light shine (Bielu), Phosphorus, Zhaolin (Pinhui Jingyao).

[Source] The whole insect of the firefly, a member of the Lampyridae family . Caught in summer and autumn.

[Original morphology] The body is long and narrow, 1.5 to 2 cm long, and the male and female are equal. The body is dark brown, with two sections of the prothorax and tail being dark yellow or peach-colored. The head is hidden under the prothorax, the mouth is pointed and can chew; the antennae are whip-shaped and have gray hairs. There is a dark brown vertical stripe in the middle of the pronotum, and the posterior edge is prominent with many dots. Prismatic long triangle. There are two pairs of wings. The forewings are leathery elytra with four raised straight lines and many punctuated cells. The hindwings are slightly larger and membranous, folded under the elytra. There are three pairs of legs. The base of the front and middle limbs are cylindrical. There are cone-shaped protrusions on the inner side of the base of the hind limbs. The tibia has no spines, and the abdomen has 6 to 7 segments, which can twist freely. The yellow-white part of the tail segment can glow. The luminescence ability of male insects is stronger, while that of female insects is weaker.

【Nature and flavor】 ①《Ben Jing》: "Tastes spicy, slightly warm."

【Meridian】 "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Enters the Taiyin meridian of the hand."

【Functions and indications】 ①《Ben Jing》: "It is used to improve eyesight, treat burns in children, and heat."

[Additional prescription] Treats liver qi damage caused by fatigue and blurred vision: 27 fireflies, use two carp gallbladders, put the fireflies in the gallbladders, dry in the shade for 100 days, and grind into powder. Use a small amount each time. (Sheng Hui Fang)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Shennong's Herbal Classic"; "Compendium of Materia Medica": There are three kinds of fireflies: one is small and flies at night, with a bright belly. A kind of insect that looks like a maggot, has light behind its tail, has no wings and cannot fly. It is also called a "tang" and is commonly known as a firefly maggot. A kind of firefly that lives in water. Firefly is used as medicine.

This article introduces some basic knowledge about the medicinal herb firefly. Firefly is very effective in treating some related diseases of the human body. Moreover, fireflies have a certain regulating effect on the body and can be consumed in moderation.