Wasp larvae (100-150 larvae) should be stripped of their wings, thoroughly cleaned of dirt, and soaked in 1 liter of 40-50 degree alcohol, allowing it to steep for as long as possible. Consume 2-3 times a day, each time a small cup, to help treat joint pain and bone aches; or use it for massage to treat bruises and hematomas. Those with kidney, lung, or heart diseases should avoid using this remedy.
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Wasp (Photo: VNE) |
In the animal kingdom, insects represent a significant portion. Apart from those that have become familiar remedies in traditional medicine, such as scorpions, honey bees, and cicada shells, many lesser-known species also play a practical role in disease prevention and treatment according to folk wisdom.
Wasp
Also known as ground wasps, hornets, or giant wasps, this predatory insect is quite aggressive. It has a yellow head, light brown thorax, and black abdomen, and is larger than honey bees. Wasps can live in colonies or alone and do not produce honey; they build nests underground or in shrubbery and on rooftops.
The larvae of wasps (3-5 g) can be brewed into a tea or pan-fried, ground into powder, and taken to treat chest and abdominal pain and dry heaving. An extract from wasp larvae is prepared as a drink called VAAM (Vespa amino acid mixture) which is highly effective in enhancing and sustaining physical strength. This remedy is used by long-distance runners (marathoners).
In some mountainous provinces such as Cao Bang, Lang Son, and Yen Bai, people seek out wasp nests to collect larvae and young wasps as nutritious food for underweight children with poor appetites and slow growth.
Silkworm Moth
Known in traditional medicine as “tàm nga,” there are male and female moths. Typically, only the male silkworm moth is collected in the early morning (5-6 AM), wings are removed, and the heads and legs discarded before drying or cooking. Fresh moths can also be used. The medicinal properties include a salty, rich, fatty, aromatic flavor, and a warm nature.
Tuệ Tĩnh (a renowned herbalist) historically used processed male silkworm moths ground into powder, recommending a dose of 8 g with alcohol on an empty stomach to treat painful urination due to gonorrhea. Alternatively, the powdered moth can be mixed with honey and applied in the mouth to treat children with “wind tongue” (a condition causing a stiff tongue and muted crying).
According to folk wisdom, 7 roasted male silkworm moths combined with 20 g of peeled shrimp, crushed and mixed with 2 eggs, can be consumed as a food remedy to nourish the kidneys, enhance male vitality, and treat issues like impotence and nocturnal emissions. A tincture can be prepared using 100 g of male silkworm moths, 60 g of Eurycoma longifolia, 50 g of Morinda root, 50 g of hawthorn, 40 g of rehmannia, 30 g of Chinese wolfberry, 30 g of cyathula, 20 g of black sesame seeds, 20 g of chives, and 40 g of sugar. All ingredients should be chopped, dried, and soaked in 2 liters of 40-degree alcohol. This mixture should be taken three times a day, 30 ml each time before meals and before bedtime.
Male silkworm moths can also be combined with deer antler velvet, seahorse, ginseng, and other tonic herbs to create an alcoholic extract and capsules named Bipharton (under a program integrating traditional and modern medicine) which has effects on weight gain and sexual stimulation.
Black Ants
These wingless insects measure 1.3-1.5 cm in length and have a shiny black body. They live in large colonies in mountainous areas, building nests underground; during the rainy season, they migrate to trees to build nests and avoid flooding.
Black ants contain 40-67% protein, including many amino acids, eight of which are essential. In traditional medicine, they are referred to as “hắc mã nghị” and are used alive. The herbal remedy has a salty and spicy flavor, is mildly toxic, and has effects in cooling the body, detoxifying, reducing swelling, and alleviating pain. Daily, clean black ants, stir-fry with bitter melon, and eat; also, black ants can be soaked in oil (castor or peanut oil) for a period, then used for massage to treat arthritis, rheumatism, and chronic hepatitis. For external use, crushed black ants can be applied to treat boils and snake bites.
Black ant eggs are commonly collected by ethnic groups in the northern mountainous regions to be puffed and consumed daily as a tonic to enhance physical strength. Women believe that consuming more black ant eggs will improve skin quality, making it smoother and more vibrant.
Crickets
The entire cricket is used as medicine; they are dipped in boiling water to kill them, wings, antennae, and tails are removed, then dried or roasted. This herbal remedy is known as “tất xuất,” with a salty, spicy flavor, neutral nature, and affects the bladder, large intestine, and small intestine, promoting diuresis.
Tuệ Tĩnh utilized 5 dried crickets, ground finely, and mixed with water from boiled flaxseed on an empty stomach to treat ascites and shortness of breath.
According to folk experience, 2-3 roasted crickets, crushed into powder, taken with alcohol 2-3 times can treat urinary retention; alternatively, live crickets can be crushed with a bulb onion and a little salt, applied to the navel and bandaged. Used for several days until urination is restored.
For treating urinary poisoning: 7 crickets, heads and legs removed, roasted, ground into powder, and taken with alcohol. They can also be boiled and consumed.
For treating stones: 10 crickets, roasted until golden, ground into fine powder; combined with 30 g of goldenrod, cut small, and boiled to extract the liquid. Consume the cricket powder with goldenrod water twice a day.
