The Cang'er insect, also known as Cang'er borer or Ma'chong, is a type of insect larva that parasitizes the stem of the Xanthium sibiricum Patr.ex Widd., a plant in the Asteraceae family. According to the "Sheng Ji Zong Lu", during the summer and autumn, if there are holes in the stem of the Cang'er grass, there will be borer larvae inside. The larvae can be dissected with a small knife, then either stored in a sealed container after being dried or soaked in oil for later use.
[Processing Method] According to the "Sheng Ji Zong Lu": "Fry until yellow and grind into powder." According to the "Ben Cao Gang Mu": "Pound and crush, then add a small amount to a person's speech and form it into a block." Currently, the original medicinal material is either dried using low heat or soaked in oil.
[Appearance of medicinal slices] The dried Cang'er insect appears wrinkled on the surface, resembling a small silkworm. It has a brittle texture and a burnt fragrance.
[Processing effect] The Cang'er insect has a slight toxicity, but after being fried, its toxicity and fishy smell are reduced, making it easier to grind into powder. It is used for treating boils and hemorrhoids. For example, when combined with Bai Jiangcan and Jiang Cha, it can treat all types of boils and unknown swollen ulcers (according to the "Sheng Ji Zong Lu"). It can also be soaked in oil and applied externally to treat hemorrhoids (according to the "Compilation of Folk Commonly Used Herbal Medicines").
[Processing research] During the Song Dynasty, the Cang'er insect was fried until yellow (according to the "Sheng Ji Zong Lu"), and in modern times, it was soaked in oil (according to the "Compilation of Frequently Used Herbal Medicines by the People"). Currently, there are processing methods such as frying and soaking in oil.
