Meng Chong - 虻虫 - Tabanus - Horsefly

Pharmaceutical Latin:	Tabanus
Common English:	Gadfly Horse Fly Tabanus

Category

Herbs that Regulate the Blood: Herbs that Invigorates the Blood

Properties

Taste	Temperature	Entering Meridians	Dosage
Bitter	Slightly Cold (Cool) Toxic (Slightly Toxic)	Liver	1-3g Powder: 0.3-0.6g

Actions And Indications

Actions	Indications/Syndromes
Breaks up Blood Stasis, reduces abdominal masses and unblocks the Blood vessels	Amenorrhea, abdominal masses or retained lochia from Blood Stasis
Dispels Stasis, heals injuries and stops pain	Traumatic injury

Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions

Major Combinations

Hirudo Shui Zhi Rx. et Rz. Rhei Da Huang (Eupolyphaga) (Tu Bie Chong)	Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata Shu Di Huang Hirudo Shui Zhi Sm. Persicae Tao Ren	Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata Shu Di Huang Olibanum Ru Xiang Myrrh Mo Yao Or Olibanum Ru Xiang Myrrh Mo Yao
Amenorrhea from Blood Stasis.	Amenorrhea or retained lochia.	Trauma-related injury.
Hirudo Shui Zhi	Rx. Rehmanniae Sheng Di Huang Hirudo Shui Zhi Sm. Persicae Tao Ren
Resolves severe Blood Stasis with mania, and abdominal masses or severe Blood accumulation following trauma.	Irregular menstruation. Postpartum bleeding and pain.

Notes

1. Uterine fibroids are treated with this herb.
2. It appeared often in ancient formulas but is seldom used today.
3. It breaks up Blood Stasis very quickly and travels strongly and rapidly through the channels and collaterals to reach areas that are otherwise hard to access. Its action is fairly brief.
4. Meng Chong and Hirudo Shui Zhi both enter the Blood level of the Liver to forcefully break up Blood Stasis and accumulation. Shui Zhi is neutral, gradual, stable and consistent. Meng Chong is slightly cold and somewhat toxic; its action is sudden and strong but short-lived.
5. Meng Chong, Eupolyphaga Tu Bie Chong and Hirudo Shui Zhi are all very powerful substances for breaking open severe Blood Stasis. Used improperly, they can easily injure Qi, so tonic herbs should be added when needed to prevent damage. Meng Chong is the strongest, then Shui Zhi, then Tu Bie Chong.
6. Baked Tabanus Bei Meng Chong is less toxic and has a less unpleasant taste and smell.