桑螵蛸
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.
Natural Properties & Taste: Sweet, salty and neutral
Meridians: Liver and kidney
Therapeutic Effects:
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.
