The Therapeutic Benefits of Dragonflies in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Strengthening Kidney Yang and Enhancing Essence

The dragonfly, also known as qingling, is a beneficial insect whose primary food sources include the larvae of mayflies and midges found in water. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is also used as a medicinal ingredient, with the earliest records found in the “Bie Lu” by the physician Tao Hongjing from the Liang dynasty during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, which states that it has the effect of “strengthening Yin and stopping seminal emissions.” The Song dynasty pharmacologist Su Song provided a detailed description of the habits and varieties of dragonflies in his work “Ben Cao Tu Jing,” listing the medicinal species of dragonflies available at that time. He noted: “Dragonflies were not previously recorded by their regions, but they are now commonly found near water. There are several species, and the large green-eyed ones are the best. The yellow, red, and black ones are not used for medicine.” The large green dragonfly mentioned by Su Song is entirely green with large compound eyes, also known as “Ma Da Tou” or “Green Dragonfly,” and is considered a superior medicinal dragonfly.

According to the “Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao”: “Remove the wings and legs for medicinal use, and stir-fry for best results,” it is said to “strengthen Yang and warm the water organs.” The “Bie Lu” records: “Strengthens Yin and stops seminal emissions.” The “Lu Chuan Ben Cao” states: “Treats kidney deficiency and impotence.” The “Ben Cao Gang Mu” describes: “The dragonfly has a large head, short neck, long abdomen, and thin wings like gauze. It feeds on mosquitoes and drinks dew… In ancient prescriptions, only the large green ones were used, while in recent times, red ones have also been used in sexual practices.”

Historical records indicate that Zhu Yuanzhang’s eighth-generation grandson, Zhu Houcong, after becoming Emperor Jiajing, had no children for many years and turned gray early. He then gathered longevity elixirs from across the land into the palace. Alchemists Shao Zhi Jie and Tao Zhongwen extracted essence from the nourishing formulas in the Daoist classic “Yun Ji Qi Qian” compiled by Zhang Junfang from the Song dynasty, employing the alchemical technique of “furnace and cauldron refining” to create a so-called “immortal medicine” named “Gui Ling Ji”—meaning the longevity of the spiritual tortoise. After taking it, Emperor Jiajing indeed became healthy and had several children. Gui Ling Ji thus became the emperor’s “royal holy medicine.” The formula for Gui Ling Ji is rigorous, with a reasonable composition, exquisite preparation, and unique craftsmanship. Among the 28 Chinese herbs used, it includes deer antler, seahorse, sparrow brain, silkworm moths, and insect medicines, including the kidney-tonifying and essence-strengthening large dragonfly.

The Gui Ling Ji wine made from this formula has been the “royal holy wine” of the emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with a history of 450 years. Emperor Qianlong praised it multiple times, stating that “Gui Ling Ji is the supreme tonic wine.” The formula for this wine was classified as a national top-secret prescription by the State Council in 1957. It is known for its effects of eliminating fatigue, promoting metabolism, enhancing the immune system, nourishing the skin, and prolonging life.

The dragonfly is one of the commonly used insect medicines in TCM urology, often used for conditions such as impotence, seminal emissions, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, lower back pain, urinary retention, edema, and infertility caused by kidney deficiency. TCM holds that “injuries to the five organs ultimately affect the kidneys,” believing that insufficient congenital endowment, lack of nourishment in later life, excessive fatigue, and irregular sexual activity can damage essence and lead to kidney deficiency patterns. For instance, if kidney Yang is deficient and unable to circulate water, it can lead to internal accumulation of dampness, resulting in edema; if the lower source is deficient and the fire of the Mingmen is weak, it can lead to impotence and nocturnal emissions; if kidney Qi is depleted, it can lead to seminal emissions, premature ejaculation, and urinary incontinence; prolonged fatigue can lead to true Yin deficiency, with empty heat rising, causing seminal emissions and night sweats; if essence is deficient, it can result in cold and infertile semen or weak sperm that cannot fertilize an egg. The dragonfly benefits kidney Qi and strengthens essence, and when combined with He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum), silkworm moths, Epimedium, and Sha Yuan Zi (Astragalus), it allows Yin to receive assistance from Yang, creating an endless source of vitality.

Impotence, seminal emissions, and premature ejaculation are common conditions in urology. In addition to tonifying the kidneys and nourishing the source, soothing the liver and relieving depression is also a major method. TCM states that in urology, there is a saying of “impotence caused by depression” and “depression caused by impotence.” Common herbs and minerals often struggle to open the meridians and unblock the Yang pathways, leading to stagnation of Qi. By using insect medicines to simultaneously tonify and supplement, taking advantage of their ability to ascend and descend, they can effectively invigorate Yang and alleviate impotence. Insect medicines such as dragonflies, nine-fragrant insects, centipedes, and black ants can carry various herbs directly to the affected area, allowing the Qi and blood of the governing meridian to flow freely, thus alleviating impotence and invigorating Yang.

Modern Clinical Applications:

Dragonflies have been reported in clinical practice for treating impotence. Nationally recognized TCM expert Shi Chunrong systematically introduced the ancestral secret formula “Qing E Zhan Shi Dan” in the book “Selected Secret Recipes of the First Batch of Nationally Recognized TCM Experts” evaluated by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The formula includes: 20 dragonflies (preferably large green ones, red ones are secondary, and others are less preferred, wings and legs removed, stir-fried over low heat), 15 silkworm moths, 5 centipedes, 20 grams each of honeycomb, jujube seeds, wine-soaked Angelica, and roasted He Shou Wu, 6 grams each of clove, wood fragrance, and cinnamon, and 3 grams of cardamom. All ingredients are ground into a fine powder, mixed with honey to form pills the size of a wutong seed, with a dosage of 15 pills per administration. Alternatively, it can be made into a powder, with a dosage of 10 grams taken 2-3 times daily on an empty stomach with a small amount of yellow wine. The function of this formula is to benefit the kidneys, invigorate Yang, nourish Yin, and soften the liver, effectively treating impotence, whether it is inability to achieve an erection or weak erections, accompanied by mental tension, fear, anxiety, irritability, lower back pain, and frequent urination. The formula also provides a systematic analysis of the pattern of symptoms, suggesting that impotence can be divided into deficiency and excess types. Deficiency cases involve kidney essence depletion and weak Mingmen fire, leading to insufficient nourishment of the governing meridian, requiring heavy tonification; excess cases involve liver Qi stagnation and failure to warm the governing vessel, making it difficult for Qi and blood to reach the external area, which can also lead to insufficient nourishment of the governing meridian, requiring heavy unblocking and regulation. Clinical evidence shows that pure deficiency and pure excess cases are rare, with most being a mix of deficiency and stagnation, thus treatment should involve both tonification and unblocking. In the Qing E Zhan Shi Dan, the large dragonfly strengthens Yin and stops seminal emissions (as per the “Bie Lu”), invigorates Yang and warms the water organs (as per the “Ri Hua”), excelling in tonifying the kidneys and benefiting essence, treating impotence and seminal emissions (as per the “Chinese Medicinal Animals”), while the silkworm moth benefits essence, strengthens the vagina, and prevents fatigue during intercourse (as per the “Gang Mu”), greatly tonifying the liver and kidneys, invigorating Yang, and astringing essence, treating impotence, seminal emissions, and leukorrhea (as per the “Dictionary of Chinese Medicinal Herbs”). Together, they serve as the main ingredients, utilizing the mobility of insect medicines to enter the liver meridian and smooth the governing meridian to enhance its function, using the essence of blood and flesh to enter the Ren and Du meridians to tonify the Yin organs and strengthen their foundation. Accompanied by honeycomb and centipedes, which ascend and descend, they relieve liver Qi stagnation, allowing the blood and Qi of the governing meridian to flow freely. Clove, wood fragrance, cinnamon, and cardamom are warm and aromatic, which can both soothe the liver and relieve depression, unblocking stagnation in the governing meridian, while also warming and invigorating the Yangming, strengthening the governing meridian. The addition of honey-soaked jujube seeds, wine-soaked Angelica, roasted white peony, and roasted He Shou Wu nourishes essence and blood, moistening the governing meridian, strengthening the foundation of the Yin organs, while also compensating for deficiencies and coordinating Yin and Yang, preventing the dryness of the previous herbs. This formula indeed balances both deficiency and excess, achieving the remarkable effect of simultaneous tonification and unblocking, thus effectively alleviating impotence.

Case ②: Dragonfly Treatment for Anejaculation:

Wang, male, 35 years old. Married for over 3 years, initially had some seminal discharge during intercourse, but after about six months, he could not ejaculate. He sought medical help multiple times due to infertility, with no abnormalities found in the female partner. The male partner could not be examined for semen due to the lack of ejaculation, thus treated as anejaculation. He reported a history of frequent masturbation in his youth and excessive indulgence after marriage. Currently, he has diminished sexual desire, dizziness, tinnitus, lower back pain, weak knees, insomnia, forgetfulness, hair loss, and poor appetite. His tongue is pale red with a thin white coating, and the pulse is weak and slightly rough. Diagnosis: Anejaculation. Differentiation: Essence depletion and lack of source, leading to the closure of seminal discharge. Treatment should focus on replenishing essence, filling the source, and simultaneously tonifying and unblocking the kidney and governing vessel. The formula includes: 4 dragonflies (baked and ground into powder), 15 grams of tortoise shell, 15 grams of cooked Rehmannia, 10 grams of cornelian cherry, 15 grams of He Shou Wu, 15 grams of Angelica, 15 grams of Eclipta, 15 grams of Ligustrum, 15 grams of goji berries, 30 grams of Chinese yam, 15 grams of stir-fried Eucommia, 15 grams of malt, and 15 grams of Achyranthes. After taking the previous formula for over 20 doses, all symptoms improved significantly, with some seminal discharge during intercourse. The previous formula was supplemented with slices of deer antler and 15 grams of Scrophularia. After taking over 20 more doses, intercourse returned to normal, sexual desire significantly increased, and he was able to ejaculate normally. Six months later, he joyfully reported that his wife was pregnant.

Note: Anejaculation, referred to in TCM as “semen closure,” often leads patients to seek medical help after many years of marriage without offspring. When treating, it is essential to investigate the source of the condition. If essence is depleted and the source is exhausted, it is necessary to replenish essence and open the flow. Therefore, the primary choice in this formula is the large dragonfly, which tonifies the kidney and governing vessel, generates essence, and invigorates Yang, serving as the main medicinal ingredient. Accompanied by tortoise shell, cooked Rehmannia, He Shou Wu, cornelian cherry, Angelica, Eclipta, Ligustrum, and goji berries to nourish essence and blood; Eucommia and Chinese yam warm Yang and benefit Qi, contributing to the generation of essence and blood; while Achyranthes guides the herbs to the Yin and malt promotes digestion and resolves accumulation. This achieves the effect of replenishing the source and ensuring smooth flow. The subsequent addition of deer antler and Scrophularia also serves to enhance and replenish Yin and Yang.

Case ③: Dragonfly Treatment for Male Infertility:

Sun, male, 27 years old. First visit: July 23, 2004. Medical history: Married and cohabiting for 2 years without conception. The female partner’s gynecological examination was normal, and sexual activity was normal, but he felt that the seminal discharge was too little. Several semen analyses showed grayish-white semen with a volume of about 1 milliliter, sperm count between 10 million to 15 million per milliliter, poor motility, and a survival rate of 40-50%. He had undergone various treatments, including testosterone propionate and chorionic gonadotropin, as well as many herbal treatments such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan and kidney tonifying pills, with no significant effect, hence he sought treatment. Currently, he presents with fatigue, dizziness, lower back pain, weak knees, insomnia, vivid dreams, diminished sexual desire, and mild impotence, often with weak erections. His tongue is pale red and tender, with a thin white coating, and the pulse is weak and rough. Diagnosis: Male infertility. Differentiation: Deficiency of the kidney and governing vessel, insufficient essence. Treatment: Tonify the kidney and governing vessel, replenish essence, and generate blood. The formula includes: 10 dragonflies, 6 grams of honeycomb, 6 grams of cornelian cherry, 20 grams of Chinese yam, 15 grams of raspberry, 15 grams of goji berries, 15 grams of Angelica, 15 grams of roasted white peony, 15 grams of He Shou Wu, 15 grams of Ligustrum, 10 grams of Epimedium, 10 grams of Eucommia, and 6 grams of safflower. One dose daily, decocted and taken in two portions, with instructions to consume the dragonflies baked and ground into powder for better effect. After taking the previous formula for 30 doses, all symptoms improved significantly, sexual desire improved, and sexual activity returned to normal. During the hot summer, there was a slight sign of heat. The previous formula was adjusted by removing Eucommia and replacing cooked Rehmannia with raw Rehmannia, with instructions for long-term use for 1-2 months. After taking about 40 more doses, semen analysis returned to normal. Six months later, he joyfully reported that his wife was pregnant.

Note: Insufficient congenital endowment and improper postnatal nourishment lead to depletion of the kidney and governing vessel’s vital energy, insufficient essence and blood of the extraordinary meridians, and prolonged illness resulting in infertility. The formula primarily selects the large dragonfly to strengthen Yin and stop seminal emissions (as per the “Bie Lu”), invigorate Yang, and warm the water organs (as per the “Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao”), benefiting the kidneys and generating essence, tonifying the kidney and governing vessel; supplemented with honeycomb to assist Yang and alleviate impotence, warming and invigorating Yangming, while also compensating for both pre- and postnatal factors to enhance the large dragonfly’s tonifying power on the extraordinary meridians; accompanied by cooked Rehmannia, cornelian cherry, He Shou Wu, Angelica, white peony, goji berries, raspberry, and Ligustrum to nourish Yin and tonify the kidneys, benefiting essence and blood; Epimedium and Eucommia invigorate Yang and benefit Qi, while safflower promotes new growth and resolves stagnation; malt enters the kidney to secure essence and assists the spleen in transportation. The formula is tailored to the symptoms, and with prolonged use, it ultimately achieves the desired effect of nurturing offspring.

Professor Shi Zhichao, Executive Vice President of the Dalian TCM Association

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