Chong Bai La, also known as White Wax, Insect Wax, Wood Wax, and Tree Wax, is recorded in the "Bencao Huibian". It is the male insect of the wax scale insect in the family Coccidae that resides in the branches of Fraxinus chinensis Roxb., Ligustrum lucidum Ait., and other plants of the Ligustrum genus, secreting white wax. After the male wax insects settle, they begin to excrete wax. When the wax flowers start to appear white silk on the surface, it is time to harvest the wax flowers, preferably in the morning when the dew is dry, or after rain when the wax flowers are moist and easy to peel and collect. On sunny days, the wax flowers should be moistened with water before harvesting. It is advisable to process the wax on the same day to prevent deterioration. There are two methods for processing white wax in China. One is the traditional method of boiling and pressing; the other is the steam wax production method, which is considered better in terms of labor intensity, procedures, efficiency, safety, and wax quality.
[Processing Method] Take the original medicinal material, remove impurities, and break it into pieces.
[Appearance of the Traditional Chinese Medicine] Whole ones are mostly round and thick blocks, while others have been broken into irregular pieces of different sizes. They are white or slightly yellow, opaque or slightly transparent, with a smooth or slightly wrinkled surface and a greasy feeling, with a wax-like luster. The body is light and can float on the water surface. It is hard and slightly brittle. It crumbles when rubbed with hands. The cross-section is uneven, appearing as strips or small granules, with a glass-like luster. It has a slight odor and tastes like fine sand when chewed. It is insoluble in water, ether, and chloroform, but soluble in benzene and petroleum ether.
[Quality Requirements] The melting point of Chong Bai La is 81-85°C; acid value is not more than 1; saponification value is 70-92; iodine value is not more than 9.
[Processing Function] Chong Bai La has a sweet and mild taste and a warm nature. It enters the Liver meridian. It has the functions of stopping bleeding, promoting tissue regeneration, and relieving pain. After processing, impurities are removed, making the medicine pure and easy to prepare. It is mostly used externally for conditions such as non-healing of wounds, bleeding from incisions, etc. It can be combined with Teng Huang (Resina Sinapis) to relieve pain and stop bleeding, used for treating injuries and burns (Huishengji); it can be used to treat cane sores with Bai La Qing (Dongtian Aozhi); it can be used as a protective film powder for treating deep abscesses (Yizong Jinjian); it can be used for treating external hemorrhoids with San Bai Qing (Wanshi Micuan Waike Xinfa). The main purpose of processing is to improve the cleanliness of the medicine.
