Medicinals
sāng piāo xiāo / 桑螵蛸 / 桑螵蛸 / mantis egg case;
Latin pharmacognostic name: Mantidis Oötheca
Alternate English names: praying mantis egg case
Alternate Chinese names: 桑蛸 sāng xiāo; 螵蛸 piāo xiāo; 螳螂子 táng láng zǐ; 桑上螳螂窠 sāng shàng táng láng kē; 螳螂蛋 táng láng dàn; 螳螂壳 táng láng ké
Origin: Animal
Use: medicinal
Category: Astringent agents / Intestine-astringing diarrhea-checking agents
Properties: Salty, sweet; balanced.
Channel entry: liver and kidney channels.
Indications:
- Secures essence and reduces urination: Seminal emission; enuresis.
- Supplements the kidney and assists yáng: Impotence due to kidney yáng vacuity.
Dosage & Method:
Oral: 6–10g in decoctions. Also frequently used in medicinal liquors, powders, and pills.
Warning:
This medicinal should not be used in the presence of yīn vacuity with internal fire or for frequent urination with heat in the bladder.
Quality:
Unbroken, supple, dry, yellow egg cases that contain larvae and are free of attached vegetable matter are the best.
Product Area:
Most parts of China.