What are the medicinal values ​​of Cantharides?

I believe many people have never heard of the blister beetle. It is a kind of emerald green crustacean insect with a small body and is not easy to be found by people. This insect lives on some Caprifoliaceae food for a long time. At the same time, the body parts of this insect also emit a pungent smell, which makes people feel very uncomfortable. But it also has certain medicinal value, so what are the medicinal values ​​of blister beetles?

The body of the cantharidin contains up to 5% of cantharidin, which can stimulate the cell tissues of animals. The powder baked and pressed from it is shiny pink, and is light yellowish brown to brown olive in color. It tastes bitter and has an unpleasant odor. The larvae eat honey produced by ground-dwelling bees.

There is literature suggesting that blister flies occasionally stimulate mating in farm animals. [4] The secretions of lily blister flies in urine can irritate the urethra and cause inflammation of the genitals, leading to a persistent erection. Therefore, humans have long used cantharidin as an aphrodisiac. However, since the amount required is very small and it is easy to exceed the effective dose, there is a certain risk in using it. After taking blister beetles, people may experience fever, painful urination, and even blood in the urine. It may also cause permanent damage to the kidneys and genitals. This ingredient is extremely toxic and has caused many cases of poisoning and death.

Correct use of blister beetles can treat some diseases, but incorrect use can cause poisoning and seriously affect health. Therefore, in daily life, you must use it according to the doctor's instructions. If symptoms such as hematuria occur, it is likely caused by blister beetle poisoning and you need to go to the hospital for examination.