Ground Beetle

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan, Sichuan.

Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker: Flat oval shape, 1.3~3cm long, 1.2~2.4cm wide. Front end is relatively narrow, back end is relatively wide, back side is purplish-brown, lustrous, without wings. Front thorax shell is relatively developed, covers the head; abdomen shell has 9 joints, tile-like arrangement. Front side is reddish-brown; head is relatively small, with one pair of fusiform antennae that often falls off; 3 pairs of legs at the thorax, with thin hairs and spines. Abdomen has horizontal ring joints. Loose texture, easily broken, fishy odor, slightly salty taste. Steleophaga plancyi : 2.2~3.7cm long, 1.4~2.5cm wide. Back side is black-brown, often has pale yellowish-brown spotted lump and black small spots on the edge.

Superior medicinal material has intact, fat body and purplish-brown color.

Salty, cold

Breaks blood, joins sinew and bones. Apply to injury of sinew and bone, blood stasis and amenorrhea, abdominal mass.