Frog Oviduct, Ha Ma You 蛤蟆油
Forest Frog Oviduct
Ha Ma You (TCM)
Rana dybowskii
(Photo by Pierre Fidenci) (Wikimedia)
Packaged Frog Oviduct and Guangzhou Medicine Market.
(Adam, 2024)
Botanical name:
Rana dybowskii (Official)
Other species are also used including R. chinensis and R. temporaria
Parts used:
Dried Oviduct, harvested in Autumn
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Sweet, Salty
Constituents:
Rich in trace elements, vitamins (A, B1, B2, C, D, E, K, carotene), amino acids; contains steroids, hormones and fatty acids
Uses:
1. Strengthen Kidneys, Nourishes Essence:
-debilitation, night sweat
–neurasthenia, insomnia, listlessness
-Dizziness, Tinnitus, Amnesia from essence deficiency
-Postpartum weakness, Postpartum sweating
–Palpitation
–Menopause
2. Moistens Lung, Nourishes Yin:
-Chronic Cough
-Hemoptysis, Phthisis
Dose:
Powder: 500mg–2 grams
Infusion in water: 5–15 grams
Comment:
Frog Oviduct, while used medicinally, is mostly regarded as a health food. The official species is farmed on a large scale in China to supply the market so there is little risk of endangering wild stock.
Preparation:
The fresh Oviducts are washed well, then dried in the shade or in a low oven. Sometimes they are freeze dried. They can be dipped in brandy to facilitate drying
Main Combinations:
1. Chronic Cough, Phthisis, Frog Oviduct, cooked with Tremella
2. Night Sweats, Frog Oviduct, Astragalus Huang Qi, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Donkey Hide Glue (E Jiao)
3. Menopause, Frog Oviduct, Zedoary (E Zhu)
4. Tonic, anti-ageing, Frog Oviduct, Ginseng, Turtle shell, Lycium Gou Qi Zi
5. Fatigue, Frog Oviduct, Ginseng, Astragalus Huang Qi, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
None noted
Main Preparations used:
Prepared Oviduct, Tincture
1. IMMUNOMODULATORY
–Immunostimulatory Activity of Protein Hydrolysate from Oviductus Ranae on Macrophage In Vitro
2. ANTIOXIDANT
–Acute Toxicity, Antioxidant, and Antifatigue Activities of Protein-Rich Extract from Oviductus ranae
–Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Oviductus Ranae Protein Hydrolyzed by Different Proteases
3. ANTI-AGEING
–Traditional Uses, Bioactive Constituents, Biological Functions, and Safety Properties of Oviductus ranae as Functional Foods in China
4. ANTI-FATIGUE
–Acute Toxicity, Antioxidant, and Antifatigue Activities of Protein-Rich Extract from Oviductus ranae
5. ESTROGENIC
–Traditional Uses, Bioactive Constituents, Biological Functions, and Safety Properties of Oviductus ranae as Functional Foods in China
6. HEPATO-PROTECTIVE
7. ANTI-DEPRESSANT
8. ANTI-TUSSIVE, EXPECTORANT, ANTI-ASTHMATIC
–Traditional Uses, Bioactive Constituents, Biological Functions, and Safety Properties of Oviductus ranae as Functional Foods in China
9. ANTI-CANCER
–Glioma
