Meng Chong (舵虫) is the horsefly, recorded as Tabanus. It is bitter in flavour and slightly cold, entering the Liver channel alone. The catalogue files it among the substances that invigorate the Blood.

Pinyin

meng chong·méng chóng, mang chong?

Chinese

虻虫

Latin Name

Tabanus

English Name

gradfly·gradfly; tabanus·Tabanus

Japanese

mochu

Korean

maengchung

Actions and indications

Breaks up Blood stasis, reduces abdominal masses and unblocks the vessels

Blood stasis causing amenorrhea, retained lochia or abdominal masses
Stubborn, fixed, long-standing stasis, as one of the strongest (attacking) Blood movers
Irregular periods from obstruction (not from deficiency)
Palpable fixed masses from congealed Blood

Dispels stasis, heals injury and relieves pain

Traumatic injury
Bruising, swelling and pain after an injury, with old Blood obstructing the channels

Combinations

shui zhi + da huang + tu bie chong

Amenorrhea from Blood Stasis.

shu di huang + shui zhi + tao ren

Amenorrhea or retained lochia.

shu di huang + ru xiang + mo yao

Trauma-related injury.

shui zhi

Severe Blood Stasis, whether with mania and abdominal masses or as a large accumulation of Blood after trauma

sheng di huang + shui zhi + tao ren

Irregular menses; bleeding and pain after childbirth

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 1-3g; Powder: 0.3-0.6g

1-3 g

—

Cautions

pregnancy Do not use in pregnancy; this is the firmest caution for so strong a Blood-breaking medicinal

contraindication No significant Blood stasis, including deficiency without stasis; it attacks rather than tonifies

contraindication Debilitated patients

contraindication Diarrhea

contraindication A bleeding tendency, active bleeding, or surgery that is planned

caution Slightly toxic; for use under professional supervision, not for self-prescribing

caution An insect medicinal (gadfly): unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans, and patients should be told of its animal source

caution Ask about insect-protein sensitivity before dispensing; horsefly salivary glands contain recognised human allergens

caution Several gadfly species are traded and only a microscope separates them; use authenticated material from a reputable supplier

Interactions

Drug interactions

Anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy (such as warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants, heparin, aspirin or clopidogrel), or a bleeding disorder: have use reviewed first. In a controlled trial in acute brain haemorrhage, a formula containing this herb with Shui Zhi gave no benefit and more adverse events, attributed to bleeding risk; no formal interaction study exists

meng chong

About meng chong

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Breaks up Blood stasis, reduces abdominal masses and unblocks the vessels

Dispels stasis, heals injury and relieves pain

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions

About meng chong

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Breaks up Blood stasis, reduces abdominal masses and unblocks the vessels

Dispels stasis, heals injury and relieves pain

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Drug interactions

Related

Used in 2 formulas