Aspongopus, Stink Bug, Jiu Xiang Chong 九香虫

Jiu Xiang Chong (TCM)
Picture Aspongopus spissus
Schouteden, Genera Insectorum 153rd fascicule 1913 (Image from Wikimedia)

Picture Stink Bug (Menecles insertus)
(Photo by Katja Schulz) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Aspongopus chinensis and others are used in China
Menecles spp. are also sources of Stink Bug.
Related species can probably be used synonymously.
A. nepalensis is used as food by tribes in India.

Parts used:


Prepared insect with wings and legs removed

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Salty, Pungent, Sweet

Constituents:


Nor-epinephrine derivatives, Dopamine
Fats (palmitic, stearic, oleic acid), Protein, Chitin.
The smell comes from aldehydes and ketones.
Trace elements including magnesium and manganese

Classification:


J. Regulate Qi

Uses:


1. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys, Increases Yang:
-Impotence, Aphrodisiac; also Sperm abnormality
-frequent Urination, Nocturnal Urination
-Lumbago, pain and weakness of the hips, knees or lower limbs
-Asthma from weakness of the Kidneys and Lungs
-strengthens Yuan Yang; some old TCM texts regard it as Rejuvenative

2. Warms and Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach:
-coldness and weakness of the digestion
-indigestion, epigastric fullness and distress
-Chronic Gastritis

3. Calms the Liver, Regulates Qi:
-pain and distension of the hypochondria due to Qi stagnation; Biliary colic
-Epigastric or Abdominal distention
-Chest oppression due to unhappiness; Neurogenic pain
-Dysmenorrhea from Cold and Qi stagnation

4. Moves the Blood, Resolves Masses:
-moves the Blood, strong anti-coagulant
-Sharp, stabbing pain from Blood Stasis
-Cancer, including Gastric, Esophageal, Liver, Breast


Dose:


Powder: 500–1500mg (up to 3 grams)
Decoction: 3–6 grams, up to 9 grams

Preparation:


They are killed traditionally by scalding in Hot Water. They may be drowned in alcohol before drying, or can be killed with sulphur fumes.
1. Stir-Fried Aspongopus:
  They are stir-fried in a dry Wok until yellowish and aromatic. This increases their warmth to enhance Yang, increases their aroma, facilitates pulverisation. This is how they are always processed.
2. Wine Stir-Fried Aspongopus:
  Sprinkle with 10% their weight of alcohol (Rice Spirit, Vodka etc) then stir-fry until fragrant, This is more warming to the Kidney Yang, and better to move the Qi and relieve Pain. 
3. Ghee Fried Aspongopus:
  Heat Ghee 6% by weight of the Aspongopus in a pot until hot, add the dried insects and stir-fry until the Ghee is absorbed. Then remove from the pan, spread out and allow to dry. They can be rubbed with absorbent paper to remove excess oil if they are to be powdered.

Main Combinations:


1. To strengthen Spleen and Kidneys, enhance sexual desire, and restore digestion, Aspongopus (1.5 oz.), roasted Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi) (4 drams), Citrus Chen Pi (4 drams), Atractylodes Bai Zhu (5 drams). Form Honey pills. Dose: 1.5 drams morning and night. (these were called Black Dragon Pills). A variation of this added Eucommia Du Zhong.
2. To increase Kidney Yang:
i. Aspongopus, Eucommia Du Zhong, Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi)
ii. Aspongopus, Ginseng, Deer Horn, Deer Testes, Cistanche Rou Cong Rong, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo, Lycium Gou Qi as a medicinal wine.
3. Epigastric and abdomoinal distention and pain from Cold and Qi stagnation, Aspongopus, Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu), Corydalis Yan Hu Suo.
4. Chronic Gastritis, Aspongopus, Astragalus Huang Qi, Paeonia Bai Shao, Salvia Dan Shen, Licorice, Chinese Dates (Da Zao), fresh Ginger. This was found effective after 2 months use, and was effective in eradicating Helicobacter infection.
5. Pain in the Chest or Hypochondria, Aspongopus, Scorpion (2 of each). Form Honey Pills of 3 grams, take half twice daily.
6. To break up Blood and resolve Tumors, Aspongopus, Wingless Cockroach (Tu Bie Chong), Polyporus Zhu Ling, Oldenlandia Bai Hua She She Cao
7. Dysmenorrhea, Aspongopus, Dang Gui, Cinnamon (Rou Gui), Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu), Corydalis Yan Hu Suo, Borneo Camphor (Bing Pian)

Major Formulas:



Cautions:


1. Avoid in Yin deficiency, or Deficient Heat, or Hyperactive Yang due to Yin Deficiency.
2. Allergic reactions have been reported.

Main Preparations used:


Aspongopus Wine
  Aspongopus               40 grams
  White Spirit.              400 mls
Crush the insects, put into a gauze bag and place in a jar. Pour on the alcohol. Steep for 2 weeks, remove the gauze bag.
  Tonifies Kidney Yang, regulates Qi, relieves pain. Mainly for Impotence from kidney deficiency, and chest pain and distention from Qi stagnation.
Click the Tabs above for more information on this Medicin
GENERAL / REVIEW:
–[Advances in studies on chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and clinical application of Aspongopus chinensis].
–An integrated strategy for the comprehensive profiling of the chemical constituents of Aspongopus chinensis using UPLC-QTOF-MS combined with molecular networking.
–Discovery of Novel Animal-Based Medicinal Products with Therapeutic Potential in Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine

ANTI-BACTERIAL:
–According to Chinese sources, Aspongopus has strong antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, Typhoid bacillus, Paratyphoid A and Shigella flexneri.

ANTIOXIDANT:
–Anti-Thrombotic, Anti-Oxidant and Haemolysis Activities of Six Edible Insect Species

ANTI-THROMBOTIC:
–Anti-Thrombotic, Anti-Oxidant and Haemolysis Activities of Six Edible Insect Species

ANTI-CANCER:
–Chemical Composition and Antiproliferative Effects of a Methanol Extract of Aspongopus chinensis Dallas
–Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Effects of a Protein Component Purified from Aspongopus chinensis Dallas on Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
–Isolation of Peptide Inhibiting SGC-7901 Cell Proliferation from Aspongopus chinensis Dallas.