Essence-Securing, Urination-Reducing and Leukorrhagia-Stopping Herbs
Sang Piao Shao (桑螵蛸): Chinese Herb Guide
Name
Sang Piao Xiao (Ovum of Mantis), recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing.
Source and quality
Plant
The egg case of Tenodera sinensis Saussure, Statilia maculata (Thunberg) or Hierodula patellifera (Serville), family Mantidae. They are called Tuan Piao Xiao, Chang Piao Xiao and He Piao Xiao respectively.
Where it is grown
Produced in most regions.
Harvest
Collected from late autumn through spring. The eggs are killed by steaming and then dried in the sun.
Better grade
Dry, whole and unhatched; yellow, light and tough, free of impurities.
Processing
Used unprocessed, or dry-fried with salt solution.
Nature and action
Sweet, astringent and neutral; enters the liver and kidney channels. Secures essence and reduces urination, tonifies the kidney and strengthens yang.
When it is used
Seminal emission, spermatorrhea, enuresis and frequent urination
It tonifies kidney qi and at the same time strengthens the essence gate and reduces urination, which makes it a suitable herb for seminal emission, spermatorrhea, enuresis, frequent urination and leukorrhea from kidney deficiency, and it is especially good at reducing urination.
For enuresis in children, and for frequent or difficult urination during pregnancy or after delivery, it may be used alone or combined with Long Gu to astringe. For seminal emission and spermatorrhea from kidney deficiency it is combined with astringents, such as Long Gu, Wu Wei Zi and toasted Fu Zi in Sang Piao Xiao Wan from Shi Yi De Xiao Fang.
Impotence from kidney deficiency
It tonifies the kidney and strengthens yang. For impotence from kidney deficiency it is combined with herbs such as Lu Rong, Rou Cong Rong and Tu Si Zi.
Dose
Decoction 6~10 g.
Cautions
Because it tonifies yang and astringes, it is contraindicated in yin deficiency with effulgent fire, and in heat in the bladder.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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