Frog Oviduct, Ha Ma You 蛤蟆油

Forest Frog Oviduct
Ha Ma You (TCM)
Picture Rana dybowskii
(Photo by Pierre Fidenci) (Wikimedia)

Picture The worm-like organ marked “Od” represents the Oviduct of the Frog
(The annals and magazine of natural history, 1838)

Botanical name:


Rana dybowskii (Official)
Other species are also used including R. chinensis and R. temporaria

Parts used:


Dried Oviduct, harvested in Autumn

Temperature & Taste:


Neutral. Sweet, Salty

Constituents:


Rich in trace elements, vitamins (A, B1, B2, C, D, E, K, carotene), amino acids; contains steroids, hormones and fatty acids

Uses:


1. Strengthen Kidneys, Nourishes Essence:
-debilitation, night sweat
–neurasthenia, insomnia, listlessness
-Dizziness, Tinnitus, Amnesia from essence deficiency
-Postpartum weakness, Postpartum sweating
–Palpitation
–Menopause

2. Moistens Lung, Nourishes Yin:
-Chronic Cough
-Hemoptysis, Phthisis


Dose:


Powder: 500mg–2 grams
Infusion in water: 5–15 grams

Comment:


Frog Oviduct, while used medicinally, is mostly regarded as a health food. The official species is farmed on a large scale in China to supply the market so there is little risk of endangering wild stock.

Preparation:


The fresh Oviducts are washed well, then dried in the shade or in a low oven. Sometimes they are freeze dried. They can be dipped in brandy to facilitate drying

Main Combinations:


1. Chronic Cough, Phthisis, Frog Oviduct, cooked with Tremella
2. Night Sweats, Frog Oviduct, Astragalus Huang Qi, Codonopsis Dang Shen, Donkey Hide Glue (E Jiao)
3. Menopause, Frog Oviduct, Zedoary (E Zhu)
4. Tonic, anti-ageing, Frog Oviduct, Ginseng, Turtle shell, Lycium Gou Qi Zi
5. Fatigue, Frog Oviduct, Ginseng, Astragalus Huang Qi, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo

Major Formulas:



Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used:



1. IMMUNOMODULATORY
–Immunostimulatory Activity of Protein Hydrolysate from Oviductus Ranae on Macrophage In Vitro

2. ANTIOXIDANT
–Acute Toxicity, Antioxidant, and Antifatigue Activities of Protein-Rich Extract from Oviductus ranae
–Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Oviductus Ranae Protein Hydrolyzed by Different Proteases

3. ANTI-AGEING
–Traditional Uses, Bioactive Constituents, Biological Functions, and Safety Properties of Oviductus ranae as Functional Foods in China

4. ANTI-FATIGUE
–Acute Toxicity, Antioxidant, and Antifatigue Activities of Protein-Rich Extract from Oviductus ranae

5. ESTROGENIC
–Traditional Uses, Bioactive Constituents, Biological Functions, and Safety Properties of Oviductus ranae as Functional Foods in China

6. HEPATO-PROTECTIVE

7. ANTI-DEPRESSANT

8. ANTI-TUSSIVE, EXPECTORANT, ANTI-ASTHMATIC
–Traditional Uses, Bioactive Constituents, Biological Functions, and Safety Properties of Oviductus ranae as Functional Foods in China

9. ANTI-CANCER
–Glioma