Lu Feng Fang (露蜂房) is the wasp nest, recorded as Nidus Vespae. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Lung and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the substances for external application.

Pinyin

lu feng fang

Chinese

露蜂房

Latin Name

Nidus Vespae

English Name

Wasp Nest

Japanese

rohobo

Korean

nobongbang

Actions and indications

Resolves toxicity, expels Wind and relieves pain and itching

Applied as a wash or ointment for itchy rashes, scabies, tinea, carbuncles and sores
Severe toothache that feels like a worm boring into the tooth, used as a gargle
Wind-type toothache made worse by cold or draughts
Boils, abscesses and breast abscess (mastitis); also scrofula and other nodules

Expels Wind, dries Damp and relieves pain and itching

Wind-Damp Bi and rheumatic joint pain
Wind rash and hives
Internal Wind

Treats tumours

Cancers

Kills parasites

Used as an insecticide
Eczema and other persistent itching lesions of the skin, with a powder or wash applied externally, or small amounts of the processed nest taken internally

Combinations

sheng tian nan xing + sheng cao wu + chi xiao dou + ming fan

Early sores with local heat, redness, hardness, swelling and pain, as a paste made with rice wine

pu gong ying + lian qiao

Hard sores of the breast, applied topically

xi xin + ru xiang + ming fan

Used as a gargle for swollen gums, or toothache that radiates into the side of the face (the teeth may tingle or feel as if something is crawling in them)

xuan shen + huang qi + she tui

Stubborn scrofula that discharges pus, as an ointment

chan tui

Scabies or itching Wind-Rash, as a tincture

ru xiang + zhe bei mu + xia ku cao + lian qiao

Scrofula at an early stage before it ulcerates, as a decoction

sheng chuan wu + sheng cao wu

Severe pain, as a tincture

qian nian jian + wu gong

Swollen, painful joints, taken internally

wu gong + tu bie chong + ji xue teng

Gout or pain in many joints, when severe

quan xie + shan ci gu

Various tumors.

shan ci gu

Breast cancer.

sang piao xiao

Urinary incontinence.

ba dou

Soft or ulcerated sores; fried in sesame oil and mixed with the powdered herb for topical use

wu gong + xiong huang

Ulcerations with pus.

jiang can + ru xiang

Children with a swollen, painful throat; the herbs are dry-fried, ground and taken with a decoction

ku lian pi + qing pi

Breast tumors, mastitis, fibrocystic breasts, and breast abscess or necrotic nodules

quan xie + jiang can

Cancer of the nasopharynx or larynx. Metastasis to the lymph nodes

da suan

Topically for rheumatoid arthritis.

quan xie + wu gong + tu bie chong

Arthritis. Osteomyelitis.

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any Decoction for gargles: 2.5-8g; Powder: 1-3g

2.5-8 g

—

Cautions

contraindication Sores that have already burst, ulcerated or are discharging

caution Qi and Blood deficiency, especially with no external Wind, toxin or parasite to treat

caution Very toxic: never use it to expel worms, because the amount needed causes nephritis

caution Taken internally in larger amounts, the raw nest and its volatile oil may irritate the kidneys; for internal use, calcined material and cautious dosing are preferred

pregnancy Traditionally contraindicated in pregnancy

caution Made from a stinging insect's nest; be alert to sensitivity or allergic reaction

Interactions

Antagonistic with

bai shao Antagonistic pairing with Bai Shao (white peony root)
chi shao Antagonistic pairing with Chi Shao (red peony root)
dan shen Antagonistic pairing with Dan Shen (Salvia root)
gan jiang Antagonistic pairing with Gan Jiang (dried ginger)
mu li Antagonistic pairing with Mu Li (oyster shell)