With the deepening research on traditional Chinese medicine, more and more people are using Chinese herbal medicine. "Di Gu Niu" is the dried body of the larvae of the antlion, an insect of the family Myrmeleontidae. It is usually collected in the summer and autumn by sifting through the sand where the antlion inhabits, and then lightly stir-fried until the larvae expand. Now let's introduce the method of using Di Gu Niu in traditional Chinese medicine to treat malaria in children.
Image of Di Gu Niu
【Treatment of Malaria in Children with Di Gu Niu】
Take seven Di Gu Niu. Stir-fry until fragrant, then swallow with boiling water.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Di Gu Niu is believed to have the effects of promoting urination, quenching malaria, softening hardness, removing toxins, and eliminating decay. It is often used for conditions such as urinary tract infections, malaria, abdominal masses, scrofula tuberculosis, and chronic non-healing ulcerations. In modern times, it is also used for treating kidney stones.
1. "Sheng Cao Yao Xing Bei Yao": "Treat scrofula, promote dissipation, break down decay, and remove toxins."
2. "Ben Cao Qiu Yuan": "Open the meridians and promote diuresis. Treat urinary tract infections by stir-frying and grinding with white sugar water."
3. "Compilation of Folk Commonly Used Herbal Medicines": "Heal ulcers and abscesses."
4. "Lu Chuan Ben Cao": "Treat wind-phlegm in children, spasms, urinary tract infections, and apply to carbuncles."
5. "Sichuan Materia Medica": "Treat malaria, abdominal masses, constipation, and remove thorns and iron particles from the flesh."
【Introduction to Di Gu Niu】
Alias: Dao Tuiche, Dao Tui Niu, Di Gu Niu, Shan Lao Niu, Ant Lion, Ant Hell, Digong, Sha Shi, Sha Zhangzi, Yao Yao Guo, Sha Niu, Dao Hou Chong, Tui Tui Wo Wo, A Lou Lou
Source: The live or dried body of the antlion larva, a member of the Myrmeleontidae family of the Odonata order. It is dug out from sandy soil in spring and autumn, and then dried or used fresh.
Image of Di Gu Niu
Characteristics: The body of the insect is yellowish and dirty brown, mostly transparent shell with very little internal organs, and there are dark brown patterns on the body.
Taste: Spicy; salty; neutral; toxic
Meridian tropism: Bladder meridian
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place
【Morphology of the Original Animal of Di Gu Niu】
Di Gu Niu: Myrmeleon formicarius, with a body length of 32mm and a wingspan of 73mm. 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, and black club-shaped antennae with a yellow scape.
The prothorax is yellow, with two wide brown longitudinal stripes on the back, and long yellow hairs on the prothorax. The mesothorax and metathorax are black and significantly larger than the prothorax. The legs are yellow and have long yellow hairs. The wings are transparent with a faint iridescence and have delicate wing membranes.
The shape and size of the forewings and hindwings are similar, with yellow wing veins. The abdomen is dark brown. The larvae resemble spiders, with a body length of 6-18mm, ranging from yellowish to dirty white in color, with black and brown patterns.
There are scattered and clustered black and brown stiff hairs on the body, and a pair of pincer-like mandibles on the head. They have no wings and three pairs of thoracic legs, with a relatively large abdomen.
