☯ TCM Properties
Disperses stagnant Blood, regulates menstruation and removes toxin
Traditional Chinese Uses
Hong Niang Zi is the dried body of the red cicada Huechys sanguinea. Bitter and neutral (and toxic), it disperses stagnant Blood, regulates menstruation, breaks accumulations, and resolves toxin. It is a harsh insect medicinal used both externally and internally: applied topically to scrofula, ringworm (tinea) and stubborn sores, and taken internally (in very small amounts) for amenorrhea and masses from Blood stasis. It also has a folk reputation for treating rabid-dog bites.
Because it is toxic, it is prepared as pills or powder in tiny doses and used only briefly; it is contraindicated in pregnancy and in weak or deficient patients, and inappropriate for casual use. Handling and internal administration require caution, and topical use is generally preferred. Modern practice uses it rarely and only under expert supervision.
Botanical Description
Hong Niang Zi is the dried whole body of the cicada-beetle Huechys sanguinea De Geer (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), a brightly coloured Asian cicada widespread in southern China, Indochina, and the Malay archipelago. Adults are 15-25 mm long with shining black wings and a vivid red to orange-red abdomen and thorax. In classical TCM the insect is collected in summer, threaded on bamboo strips, and dried. It is considered acrid, bitter, and toxic, and was used externally to disperse blood stasis, transform masses, and treat indurations, scrofula, and skin conditions; internally it has been used in very small doses as an emmenagogue and to dispel parasites. Because of its toxicity and the availability of safer substitutes, its modern clinical use is rare and tightly restricted in mainland Chinese practice.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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