TCM China:

Introduction To Chinese Blistering Beetle (ban mao)

Chinese Blistering Beetle (ban mao)

Mylabris

Properties: Acrid in flavour, cold in nature, it is tropistic to the liver, stomach and kidney channels. Being strongly toxic, it is rather effective in counteracting poisons, resolving mass or swelling, and removing blood stasis and lumps, serving to treat abdominal mass, sorofula and subcutaneous noddes. In recent years, it is also used to treat tumors.

Effects: Attacking poisons, resolving mass or swelling, and removing blood stasis and lumps.

Indications:

1. For breast cancer, hepatocarcinoma, carcinoma of stomach, etc. , it is used with Moschus, Catechu, Radix Notoginseng, etc. The extract of Mylabris alone has certain effect in treatment of the above mentioned cancers.

2. For amenia due to blood stasis and abdominal mass, it can be used with drugs for removing blood stasis and resolving mass, such as Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Semen Persicae, etc.

Moreover, it can also be used to treat unruptured carbuncles, sores, multiple abscess, scrofula, etc.

Dosage and Administration: Proper amount for external use; 0.03-0.06g for oral taken.

Precautions: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Owing to its strong toxicity, the amount and administration should be strictly controlled in order to avoid poisoning