<a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/Zi Cao茸/’>Zi Cao茸 (Semi-cylindrical, purplish-brown, uneven, with wrinkles and small insect eye-hole gaps, circular insect nests)

<a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/Zi Cao茸/’>Zi Cao茸

【Naming】

<a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/Zi Cao茸/’>Zi Cao茸

 【Source】

Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Middle Grade‧Zi Cao

 【Common Use Level】

E

 【Origin】

It is the resinous secretion of the lac insect Laccifer lacca Kerr. (Kerriidae family) on tree branches.

 【Characteristics】

It is semi-cylindrical, with varying lengths and widths, 3-10cm long, 1-1.5cm wide. Purplish-brown or purplish-red, the surface is uneven, with wrinkles and small insect eye-hole gaps. Where it attaches to the branch, it has a concave groove, and the edges are blunt and rounded. It is hard and brittle, and can be broken. The cross-section has parallel rows of long oval or round insect nests, containing long oval or round insect corpses, brown or dark red. It has a slightly foul odor and a bland taste. It softens and becomes sticky when heated.

 【Identification】

The best quality is large, purple in color, and firm in texture.

 【Category】

Invertebrates