Jinsha Niu, also known as Digging Cow, Backward Pushing Cart, Earth Leg Cow, Mountain Old Cow, etc., refers to the live or dried body of the larva of the antlion Euroleon sinicus (Navas), a dragonfly species in the order Neuroptera. It is dug out from sandy soil in spring and autumn, and can be dried or used fresh. What are the specific functions and effects of Jinsha Niu? What diseases does it treat?
Jinsha Niu
Jinsha Niu
[Aliases] Jinsha Niu, Backward Pushing Cart, Backward Retreating Cow, Earth Leg Cow, Mountain Old Cow, Ant Lion, Ant Hell, Earth Arch, Sand Louse, Sand Grinder, Rocking Pot, Sand Cow, Backward Worm, Pus that does not heal for a long time, Ah Lou Lou, Sand Grinder, Backward Dog, Sleeping Bug, Sand Valley Cow, Sand Cow, Sand Beetle, Sand Cat.
[Source] The live or dried body of the larva of the antlion Euroleon sinicus (Navas), a dragonfly species in the order Neuroptera. It is dug out from sandy soil in spring and autumn, and can be dried or used fresh.
[Meridian] Bladder meridian.
[Nature and Flavor] Cool, salty.
[Toxicity] Toxic.
[Excerpted from] "National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicines".
Functions and Effects of Jinsha Niu
Functions and effects of Jinsha Niu
It is used to promote urination, treat malaria, soften hardness, and detoxify. It is mainly used for sand urinary problems, malaria, abdominal masses, scrofula tuberculosis, persistent non-healing ulcers, etc.
Animal Morphology of Jinsha Niu
Yellow-legged antlion, 32mm long and 73mm wingspan. The body is slender, resembling a dragonfly. The head is wider than the prothorax, with two compound eyes brown in color, black head, yellow mouthparts, black antennae, and yellow scape.
The prothorax is yellow, with two wide brown longitudinal bands on the dorsal side, and long yellow hairs on the prothorax. The mesothorax and metathorax are black, significantly larger than the prothorax. The legs are yellow and have long yellow hairs. The wings are transparent, with a light-colored reflection, and the wing membrane is soft and fragile. The shape and size of the forewings and hindwings are similar, and the wing veins are yellow. The abdomen is dark brown.
The larvae resemble spiders, 6-18mm long, pale yellow to dirty white in color, with black-brown patterns, scattered and clustered black-brown stiff hairs on the body, a pair of pincer-like mandibles on the head, no wings, three pairs of thoracic legs, and a larger abdomen.
Functions and Indications of Jinsha Niu
Jinsha Niu
It calms the liver, relieves wind, reduces fever, and detoxifies and reduces swelling. It is used for hypertension, stroke, high fever in children, convulsions, malaria, urinary tract infections, foreign bodies stuck in the skin, bone fractures; externally used for otitis media, boils, unidentified swellings, clearing heat and dampness, promoting urination, and expelling stones.
1. Treatment of edema, urinary retention, and urinary stones
Orally: decoct 3-4.5g; or grind and dry into powder, take 2g each time, three times a day.
2. Infantile navel wind with discharge
Apply a mixture of Jinsha Niu and licorice powder; for splinters of bamboo or wood embedded in the flesh, apply a poultice of Jinsha Niu and red sugar to the wound.
Usage and Dosage of Jinsha Niu
Orally: grind into powder, 1.5-5g (or 3-10 insects). Externally: apply an appropriate amount, make a poultice or sprinkle the powder.
