Larvae of Scarab Beetle … Classic Formulas
Qi Cao · Larva Holotrichiae
Primary Actions
- Breaks up blood stasis and alleviates pain - Qi Cao is used for traumatic injury, fixed pain, amenorrhea, and painful obstructed menses with palpable stasis.
- Dissipates nodules and reduces swelling - traditional use extends to hard accumulations and swelling where a strong animal medicine is preferred.
- Promotes lactation in older folk use - some local traditions include postpartum breast obstruction or insufficient milk flow.
Classic Formulas
- Qi Cao with Tao Ren and Hong Hua - a blood-stasis pairing style for trauma or obstructed menses.
- Qi Cao with Wang Bu Liu Xing - traditional postpartum logic when blood stasis and poor milk flow coexist.
- Qi Cao with E Zhu or San Leng - stronger nodule- and mass-dispersing combinations in regional practice.
Classical Text References
- Traditional references describe Qi Cao as salty and slightly warm, entering the Liver to break blood stasis, promote lactation, and dissipate hard masses.
- Because it is an animal medicine with strong movement, it is generally used in smaller doses and for more specific indications than common plant-based blood movers.
- This record preserves the true scarab-larva identity instead of leaving it as an unspecified insect powder.