Grasshopper & Cricket

Grasshoppers were classically called Cicada
Mei Die (Grasshopper, TCM)
Cha ga pa (Grasshopper, Tibetan)

Romalea guttata
(Photo by Ryan Wood) (Wikimedia)

Entomological name:

The Difference between Grasshopper and Crickets:
They are closely related and are both Orthoptera.

Grasshoppers have short antennae and are active during the day (diurnal).
Crickets have long, thin antennae and are active at night (nocturnal).

A number of species of Grasshopper are used:

Podisma mikado (TCM)
Romalea microptera (TCM)
Acrida cinerea (TCM)
Oxya chinensis (“Small Rice Grasshopper”) (TCM, Tibet)

Those with pointed heads and long legs are best according to the Barefoot Doctors Manual.

Likewise, a number of species of Cricket have been used:

Acheta domesticus (House Cricket) (Used worldwide; Europe, Asia, Latin America)
Gryllulus chinensis (Chinese Cricket)

Other species have also been used.

Parts used:

Whole insect

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral / Warm, dry. Salty.

Constituents:

Acheta domestica: Protein (42.0-45.8% of dry matter), Fat (23.6-29.1% of dry matter)
Minerals: rich in Ca, Mg and Fe. especially rich in Cu, Mn and Zn

Uses:

GRASSHOPPER:
1. Tonifies Qi, Clears Food Stagnation:

-highly nutritious, good for weakness and fatigue
-poor appetite
-used for Infantile Malnutrition
-promotes digestion to clear Food Stagnation
-“Colic of the Bowels”.

2. Moistens Lungs, Stops Cough and Wheezing:

-Cough, Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma, Whooping Cough
-good for these problems associated with deficiency or dryness

3. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:

-difficult or obstructed urine
-Edema
-Stones (ashes are used)
-also for Bedwetting

4. Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:

-used for Fright and Convulsions, especially in children

5. Externally:

-Pterygium: “Take Grasshoppers, but not the green, nor them that be big, nor too little, bind them on a thread; and dry them in the Sun, then beat them to powder, bind them in a cloth, and lay it all night in wine, drop thereof into the eye; it is very ſharp. Others do but make a cloth wet therein; and lay it upon the eye; and that is surer”. (Wirtzung)

CRICKET
1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine (TCM, West):

-Urinary retention, Oliguria
-Urinary Stones
-Joint pain including Rheumatism
-also urinary incontinence
-ashes help Stones and Dysuria.
-“the powder of them provokes Urine”, (Salmon)

2. Strengthens the Eyes:

-“strengthen the sight” (Salmon)

3. Stops Bleeding:

-“their ashes are excellent against Fluxes”. (Salmon)
-given for Excessive Menstruation

4. Externally:

-“hung about the neck as an amulet, helps Quartans.” (Salmon)
-Scabies, Eczema (Latin America)

Dose:

In Powder: 1–3 grams; or 5–10 roasted Grasshoppers or Crickets.
To eat, the legs and wings are removed, they are boiled in water, then fried in butter.

Substitutes:

Crickets and Locusts are used similarly.

Preparation:

1. Remove the wings and legs, then roast to yellowish.

Main Combinations:

GRASSHOPPER:
1. Asthma, take 10 roasted Grasshoppers, powder, and take the lot with sweet wine. (Barefoot Doctors Manual)
2. Edema and Colic of the Bowels, Grasshoppers (6 grains) taken with Pepper.
3. Obstructed Urine: “half a dram of dried Grasshoppers is very fit, and a great secret in this disease:.
4. Stones:
i. the ashes are taken with wine or honey. (Salmon)
ii. Burnt Grasshopper, burnt Glass (3 drams ea.), ashes of a burnt Hare, prepared Goat Blood (1 oz. ea.), Plantain seed, Starch, Butchers Broom seed (2 ½ drams ea.), Syrup of Vinegar Compound (30 oz.), Sugar Penids (24 oz.), make an Electuary. (Wirtzung)
CRICKET:
1. Edema, put a Cricket under the feet of the patient, wrap him up in bed and let him sweat. (A Rich Closet of Physic, 1653)
2. Urinary retention, Crickets (3), Mole Crickets (3), toasted and powdered, taken with wine. (Barefoot Doctors Manual)

Cautions:

None noted

Click the above Tabs for more information on this medicine

Aristotle says they were eaten by the polished Greeks, and were found very delicious. Likewise, other classic authors, Aristophanes, Oelian, and Pliny, mention their being eaten as a favourite food.

Grasshoppers are traditionally seen in Chinese culture as promoting good luck, symbolizing fertility, longevity, prosperity, and protection.

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