Holotrichia, Qi Cao 蛴螬

Northeast Giant Black Chafer, Korean Black Beetle
Qi Cao (TCM)

Holotrichia parallela

Mimela lucidula

(Beetles Russia and Western Europe, Jacobson, 1905-1915)

Entomological name:

Holotrichia spp.

H. diomphalia (Official)
H. morosa
H. sauteri
H. titanus

The Pharmacopoeia of Chinese Medicine lists H. diomphalia but says other members of the same genus can be used as the source. Other species used in different parts of China and Korea include:

Anomala corpulenta, A. cupripes, A. exoleta (Leaf Chafer)
Mimela lucidula.
Oxycetonia jucunda (Mulberry Chafer)
Pentodon quadridens (Rhinoceros Bettle)
Protaetia brevitarsis, P. orientalis (Flower Chafer)
Alissonotum impressicolle (Scarab Beetle)
Trematodes tenebrioides (Scarab)

Parts used:

Dried Larva

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Salty. Slightly Toxic (Some say Cold)

Uses:

1. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis, Eases Swelling, Relieves Pain

-Blood stasis in the abdomen, abdominal masses
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-Gynecological disorders with Blood stasis
-Postpartum pain
-Gout, Arthritis
-Cirrhosis of the Liver
-Bruising, Trauma, Fractures
-“They break open blocked qi associated with Wounds and Fractures”. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

2. Promotes Milk:

-insufficient Lactation

3. Resists Poison:

-Herpes Zoster
-Hepatitis B
-Tetanus
-also to stop drinking alcohol (a little is taken in wine)

4. Externally:

-Eye inflammation, obstacles in the eyes, Nebula
-Toxic Sores, Rashes
-Mouth Ulcers
-pediatric Umbilical Sores
-Erysipelas
-Hemorrhoids

Dose:

Powder: 500mg–2 grams

Substitute:

Tabanus Meng Chong

Preparation:

1. Dried Holotrichia
They are generally washed in scalding hot water, then sun-dried, or dried in an oven.
2. Stir-fried Holotrichia
The dried grubs are stir-fried with rice until the rice is scorched. The rice is then disgarded and the grubs are kept for use.

Main Combinations:

1. Blood Stasis
i. Holotrichia Qi Cao, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Bitter Almond kernel (Ku Xing Ren), Paeonia Bai Shao, Toxicodendron Gan Qi, Tabanus Meng Chong, Leech (Shui Zhi) (as in Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan)
2. Promote Menstruation:
i. Holotrichia Qi Cao, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Tabanus Meng Chong, Leech (Shui Zhi), Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi) (as in Meng Chong Wan)
ii. Holotrichia Qi Cao, Rhubarb (Da Huang), Dang Gui, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Paeonia Mu Dan Pi, Paeonia rubra Chi Shao Yao, Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Costus (Mu Xiang), Tabanus Meng Chong, Leech (Shui Zhi),
3. Promote Milk: “When eaten prepared together with pig trotters to a thick soup, they cause a profuse flow of a mother’s milk”. (Hong Jing)
4. Arthritic pain, Holotrichia Qi Cao (7 in number), Licorice baked (15 grams), Myrrh, Frankincense (3 grams each)
5. Alcoholism: “To end alcohol addiction, and end drinking it. Grind Holotichia larva to powder, and take with wine. You will never drink again”. (Ben Cao Gang Mu)

Major Formulas:

Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Use carefully in the Weak

ANTIMICROBIAL
–Antimicrobial Peptides Derived From Insects Offer a Novel Therapeutic Option to Combat Biofilm: A Review
–[Antimicrobial proteins of insect and their clinical application].
–Insect Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Applications
ANTI-FUNGAL
–Purification and cDNA cloning of an antifungal protein from the hemolymph of Holotrichia diomphalia larvae
ANTIOXIDANT
–Grub polypeptide extracts protect against oxidative stress through the NRF2-ARE signaling pathway
–Anti-Thrombotic, Anti-Oxidant and Haemolysis Activities of Six Edible Insect Species
ANTI-THROMBOTIC /INHIBITS COAGULATION:
–Hematological studies on naturally occurring substances. II. Effects of animal crude drugs on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis systems.
–Anti-Thrombotic, Anti-Oxidant and Haemolysis Activities of Six Edible Insect Species
ASTHMA
–The Ethanol Extract of Holotrichia diomphalia Larvae, Containing Fatty acids and Amino acids, Exerts Anti-Asthmatic Effects through Inhibition of the GATA-3/Th2 Signaling Pathway in Asthmatic Mice