Both the scops owl and the long-eared owl are birds of the owl family. Although they are similar in name and shape, they have different characteristics in terms of their medicinal uses. Let's take a look at the historical records of scops owls and long-eared owls and their respective characteristics in medicinal applications.
Scops Owl
The scops owl is a type of owl, also known as the sparrow hawk, kite, shrike, falcon, and also known as the owl horn scops and strange scops.
Explanation: The "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: It has a similar body shape to an eagle but smaller, with a tail that resembles a boat's latch. It is especially skilled at flying in the air and mainly preys on chickens and sparrows. There are three types of scops owls: scops owl, cage escape, and wind display.
The "Book of Rites" states: In February, eagles turn into doves, and in July, doves turn into eagles. Although the falcon is fierce, it values loyalty. Therefore, eagles do not attack the lying and falcons do not attack the pregnant. The falcon grasps the dove to keep it warm and releases it at dawn.
Medicinal uses:
1. Scops owl head: Taste: salty, neutral, non-toxic. Mainly used for treating dizziness, vertigo, and dysentery.
"Qian Jin Fang" states: Take three pieces of scops owl head, one jin of cinnabar, grind into powder, make it into pills the size of wu zi (a type of seed), and take three pills with wine three times a day.
"Sheng Hui" states: Make a pill called "Rotation Wind and Dizziness Scops Owl Pill" with one piece of scops owl head, mi huang, bai zhu (white atractylodes), and chuan jiao (Sichuan pepper), fry and remove the sweat, make it into pills the size of wu zi with honey, and take twenty-nine pills with wine.
2. Scops owl meat:
"Meng Shen" states: Eating it can treat epilepsy.
"Compendium of Materia Medica" states: Eating it can dispel chicken meat and turn quails into lumps.
3. Scops owl bone:
"Compendium of Materia Medica" states: It can stop nosebleeds. Take the large bone from the wing joint of an old scops owl, slightly roast and grind it into powder, and blow it.
Long-eared Owl
The long-eared owl, commonly known as the owl, is also known as the horned owl, old rabbit, wheel owl, and night eating owl. It inhabits mountains, hides during the day, and hunts insects as its main food.
Explanation: The "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica" states that the long-eared owl is a strange bird. It has a body shape like a scops owl and horns on its head. It comes out to forage at night and hides in a hole during the day. When it stays in one place, it is harmless to humans. If you hear its cry resembling laughter, you must immediately leave. According to Li Shizhen, the long-eared owl is black and yellow with spots, the head resembles a cat with two ears. The sound it makes is like an old person talking, at first it sounds like it is calling someone, and later it sounds like laughter. Wherever it goes, it brings bad luck.
"Treasure of the Repository" states: The long-eared owl is a strange bird, with a body shape like a scops owl. It has horns on its head and comes out to forage at night. It hides in a hole during the day. It has destructive power. When it enters a city, the city becomes empty. When it enters a house, the house becomes empty. When it stays in one place, it is harmless to humans. If you hear its cry resembling laughter, you must immediately leave. There is a similar bird in the north called "Xun Hu", which makes sounds like calling its own name. Its eyes are the same as a cat's, and its body is larger than a magpie. When it makes a laughing sound, someone will die.
Medicinal uses:
Meat:
"Compendium of Materia Medica" (Assistant Prescription for Yin Deficiency): Used for treating malaria. Take one long-eared owl, remove the fur and intestines, fry it in oil, and eat it.
"Using Food Therapy to Benefit the People" states: For deficiency wind vertigo, take the head of a large owl, remove the fur, and cook it. Burn the bones to ashes and take them with wine.
Liver:
"Compendium of Materia Medica" states: Used by practitioners of magic arts.
