Gadfly (Mengchong)
Pharmaceutical Name: Tabanus
Zoological Name: Tabanus bivittatus Mats.
Common Name: Gadfly
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The female gadfly is caught in May or June. It is boiled or steamed, and then dried in the sun.
Properties & Taste: Bitter, slightly cold and slightly toxic
Meridian: Liver
Functions: To invigorate blood and remove stagnation
Indications & Combinations:
1. Amenorrhea or abdominal and epigastric masses caused by blood stagnation. Gadfly (Mengchong) is used with Leech (Shuizhi), Cockroach (Chechong), Peach seed (Taoren) and Rhubarb (Dahuang) in the formula Dahuang Zhechong Wan.
2. Pain due to external injury. Gadfly (Mengchong) is used
with Frankincense (Ruxiang), Myrrh (Moyao) and Peach seed (Taoren).
Dosage: 1-1.5 g; 0.3 g for baked powder
Cautions & Contraindications: This substance is contraindicated during pregnancy.