The article is about the translation of a traditional Chinese medicine called "Ge Shang Ting Zhang". This medicine is made from the whole insect of Epicauta gorhami Marseul, a member of the family Meloidae. It is commonly known as "Ge Shang Ting Zhang", "Dou Hao", "Dou Ban Miao", "Hong Niang", or "Ji Guan Chong". The insect is captured in summer and autumn, boiled in water to kill it, and then dried.
【Processing Method】
1. According to "Yan Ke Jin Nang" by Ge Shang Ting Zhang: "Grind Ge Shang Ting Zhang into powder and mix it evenly with strong vinegar." In modern practice, the original medicinal material is used, and impurities are removed.
2. According to "Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun" by Mi Chao Ge Shang Ting Zhang: "When preparing Ge Shang Ting Zhang, it should be stir-fried with glutinous rice and small hemp seeds until the rice turns yellow and black. Remove the hemp seeds, wings, and legs, wrap the remaining with blood, hang it on the east corner of the wall overnight, and use it in the morning." In "Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang", it is mentioned to "remove the head, legs, and wings, stir-fry with glutinous rice until it turns yellow." "Sheng Ji Zong Lu" suggests to "remove the wings and legs, stir-fry with glutinous rice until the rice is cooked, without using rice." In modern practice, clean Ge Shang Ting Zhang is stir-fried with glutinous rice or brown rice until the rice turns dark yellow. Then, the rice is removed, and the head, legs, and wings are also removed.
【Characteristics of the Medicinal Material】
Ge Shang Ting Zhang is long and oval-shaped, with a red head and a black body and legs. The prothorax is narrow and neck-shaped, with a white longitudinal stripe on the back. The elytra are black with gray-white longitudinal stripes on the inner and outer edges and in the middle. It has three pairs of legs and a pungent odor. When Ge Shang Ting Zhang is stir-fried with rice, it retains the shape of Ge Shang Ting Zhang, but without the head, legs, and wings. It becomes darker in color and has a slight rice fragrance.
【Processing Effects】
Ge Shang Ting Zhang has a spicy taste and a warm nature. It is toxic. It has the functions of promoting blood circulation, dispersing accumulation, and eliminating toxins. In clinical practice, it is often not used in its raw form. Stir-frying with rice reduces the toxicity of the medicine, moderates its properties, and corrects the unpleasant smell. It is commonly used for blood stasis and amenorrhea.
