The golden sand ox, also known as the ant lion, is the dried body of the ant lion larvae. It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat malaria, boils, and other conditions. However, due to the difficulty in artificially breeding golden sand ox, it is highly valued for its medicinal and economic value. Let's take a closer look at the medicinal properties of golden sand ox.
Image of golden sand ox
【Biological Characteristics of Golden Sand Ox】
The golden sand ox (ant lion) feeds on ants, flies, small spiders, and insects that pass by its burrow. It lives in alkali loam soil beneath dry, sheltered walls.
The larvae of the golden sand ox create small pits on loose yellow soil, which serve as traps to catch prey.
In some areas, there are many of these "small soil pits," and the golden sand ox hides in the soil within the pits. Once prey falls into the pit, it emerges to eat it.
Its adult form is called the "ant lion," which may seem familiar as it often flies into houses without reason during the night, circling around the ceiling light. It turns out that this annoying creature is the adult form of the "ant lion."
The adult form of the golden sand ox lives in grassy areas and mostly flies during dusk. The larvae reside in dry sandy soil, creating funnel-shaped burrows and hiding at the bottom, waiting for small insects to fall in for capture. It is found in South China, Taiwan, Sichuan, and other regions.
Image of golden sand ox
【Medicinal Characteristics of Golden Sand Ox】
The body of the golden sand ox resembles a spindle shape, with a small head and thorax, and a large abdomen. It has tufts of bristly hairs on its body.
The head is flat, with a pair of strong, curved jaws at the front, which are actually a pair of mandibles formed by the upper and lower jaws. It resembles a spider in appearance, with a small head and a pair of large jaws. It usually moves by walking backward.
The herb itself is granular, measuring 7-15 millimeters in length, and is overall yellow-brown with black-brown spots. The head is relatively large and flat, with well-developed mouthparts and a pair of long, flat mandibles.
The thorax is large, and the abdomen has 10 segments. The chest and abdomen are swollen or slightly swollen, with short hairs on the sides and spines at the end. It has three pairs of legs, with the middle pair being the longest, which often fall off during harvesting and processing.
The body is light and brittle. It has a slight fishy smell and a slightly salty taste. The preferred characteristics are large size, intact shape, yellow-brown color, light and swollen body, and absence of sand or mud.
Image of golden sand ox
【Medicinal Value of Golden Sand Ox】
1. Malaria: Take eleven golden sand ox and swallow them with alcohol, one dose half an hour before the onset of malaria. For chronic malaria, take for one week.
2. Malaria in children: Take seven golden sand ox, fry them until fragrant, and swallow with boiled water.
3. Boils: Take seven golden sand ox, grind them into powder, and apply to the top of the boil with six of them, leaving the remaining one intact on top of the boil, wrapped in cloth.
4. Ulcers and wounds: Mix golden sand ox with borax and a small amount of borneol, crush into a paste, and apply to the affected area, covering with adhesive plaster.
5. Bamboo or wooden splinters and iron sand stuck in the flesh: Apply a mixture of golden sand ox and pumpkin pulp to the affected area.
