Lu Feng Fang (Honeycomb) (Disc-shaped like Lotus Seedpod, overlapping like a pagoda, ventral surface with numerous neat and orderly hexagonal small holes, light, paper-like toughness, elastic)
[Name]
[Source]
Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica, Middle Grade
n [Common Usage Level]n
D
n [Botanical Origin]n
Nest of *Polistes mandarimus* Saussure or closely related insects of the same genus in the Vespidae family.
n [Characteristics]n
It is disc-shaped or irregularly flattened block-shaped, some are lotus seedpod-shaped, and some are overlapping pagoda-shaped. The front is oval in shape and varies in size. Diameter 8~15~20㎝, grayish-white or grayish-brown. The ventral surface has a large number of neat and orderly hexagonal small holes, the size of the holes varies, quite like Lotus Seedpod. There is one or several black protruding hard pillars on the back. Light in weight, paper-like, slightly elastic, and does not break when pinched. Has a special odor, and a bland taste.
n [Processing]n
1. Used raw 2. Stir-fried until yellow 3. Calcined honeycomb
n [Identification]n
“*Zheng Lei Ben Cao*” says: “Those obtained from the mountains and forests with wind and dew are better,” “It is also said: those collected in November and December are better.” “*Ben Cao Gang Mu*” says: “Honeycomb of leather bees is preferred for medicinal use.” “*Hui Zhi Tang Jing Yan Fang*” says: “Lu Feng Fang (Honeycomb), those that are dried under the eaves are better.” “*Wen Tang Ji Yan Fang*” says: “Lu Feng Fang (Honeycomb), those with bee larvae are better.” “*Hui Sheng Ji*” says: “Lu Feng Fang (Honeycomb), those from locust trees are better.” “*Yan Fang Xin Bian*” says: “Lu Feng Fang (Honeycomb), those that are yellow are better.”nThose about the size of a fist are suitable, the honeycomb shell is paper-like, soft, and elastic when pinched are better. The color is grayish-brown, with a stalk at the upper end, and a number of holes at the lower end (generally with bee larvae inside if the room door is closed). If the honeycomb contains wood or grass, and the holes are large, it should not be used for medicinal purposes. Those that are single, neat, grayish-white, barrel-shaped, with small holes, light in weight, slightly elastic, and without larvae or impurities are better.
n [Category]n
Invertebrates