Mantis egg case (Sangpiaoxiao)

Pharmaceutical Name : Ootheca Mantidis

Zoological Name: 1. Tenodera sinensis Saussure; 2. Statilia maculata (Thunb.); 3. Hierodula patellifera (Serville)

Common Name: Mantis egg case

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Use & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The egg case is collected in late autumn or spring, and then boiled or steamed and dried in the sun.

Properties & Taste: Sweet, salty and neutral

Meridians : Liver and kidney

Functions:
1. To tonify the kidneys and strengthen yang;
2. To control essence and decrease urination

Indications & Combinations: Deficient yang of the kidneys manifested as seminal emissions, nocturnal enuresis or leukorrhea. Mantis egg case (Sangpiaoxiao) is used with Dragon's bone (Longgu), Oyster shell (Muli), Dadder seed (Tusizi) and Psoralea fruit (Buguzhi).

Dosage: 3-10 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This substance is contraindicated in cases with deficient yin with excessive fire, or heat in the urinary bladder with frequent urine.