Pharmaceutical Name : Tabanus

Zoological Name : Tabanus bivittatus Mats.

Common Name : Gadfly

Source of Earliest Record : Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations : The female gadfly is caught in May or June. It is boiled or steamed, and then dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, slightly cold and slightly toxic

Meridian : Liver

Functions : To invigorate blood and remove stagnation

Indications & Combinations:

1. Amenorrhea or abdominal and epigastric masses caused by blood stagnation. Gadfly (Mengchong) is used with Leech (Shuizhi), Cockroach (Chechong), Peach seed (Taoren) and Rhubarb (Dahuang) in the formula Dahuang Zhechong Wan.

2. Pain due to external injury. Gadfly (Mengchong) is used with Frankincense (Ruxiang), Myrrh (Moyao) and Peach seed (Taoren).

Dosage: 1-1.5 g; 0.3 g for baked powder

Cautions & Contraindications: This substance is contraindicated during pregnancy.