Malignant tumors treated with TCM Scorpions

What's Scorpions (Quan Xie)?
Scorpion is an arthropod animal that is of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida. There are around 1,500 types of scorpions throughout the world. And in China there are about 15 species, among which the most widely distributed one is the Buthus martensii Karsch. And the dried body of Buthus martensii is the main medicinal source. It is produced in Henan, Shandong, Hubei, and Anhui. It is usually caught in spring and summer. But the one captured between Qingming and Guyu is generally believed to be with better medicinal properties. After the capture, it needs to soak them with water first to let them spit out the dirt, place them in boiling water or boiling salt water until they become stiff, get them out, keep them in a cool, well-ventilated place, and let dried in the shade.

Buthus martensii is a predatory animal. It is about 6cm in length and consists of two parts – cephalothorax and abdomen. Cephalothorax is short, in 7 sections, and with carapace on back. Cephalosome has 2 pairs of appendages. One pair is very small and the other pair is fairly big pincers. Thorax has 4 pairs of legs, which are divided into 7 sections and with 2 sharp curved claws at the end respectively. Long abdomen is divided into anterior belly and posterior belly. Anterior belly is wide and composed of 7 sections and posterior belly is slender and divided into 5 sections and a barbed tail. Scorpion tail always curves forward over the back. The hook-like scorpion stinger is with poison gland inside. It is ovoviviparous. Scorpion habitats include caves, rock crevices, dead leaves, barks, etc. They hide in the daytime and come out at night to feed on insects, spiders and other small animals.

Scorpion facts on health benefits 
As a traditional Chinese herb, scorpion has been used medicinally for more than 2,000 years in China. Thanks to the healing properties of scorpion venom, a toxic protein similar to snake neurotoxin, the medicinal uses of scorpions are amazing. It could yield surprising efficacy results in the treatment of nervous system diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, malignant tumors, stubborn viruses, etc. As a matter of fact, ancient physicians in China have discovered the secret of scorpion venom way earlier and believe that it is one of the best medicines for a dozen challenging or difficult-to-diagnose diseases, such as rheumatism, hemiplegia, tetanus, drooping eyelid and mouth, Tuberculosis, scrofula, stubborn eczema, cancer, Stroke, epilepsy seizures, sores, nephritides, angiosclerosis, hepatitis B, etc. As a result, currently there are over 100 scorpion-based herbal formulas and about 60 Chinese patent medicines, among which the famous ones are Zai Zao Wan, Da Huo Luo Wan, Qi Zhen Dan, Qian Zheng San, Die Da Wan, Jiu Xin Wan, Zhi Teng Wan, Zhong Feng Hui Chun Wan, etc.

Modern medicine has proved that scorpion contains 17 amino acids and 14 trace elements that are essential to human body. Hence, it is also a nutritious food. And the scorpion-based medicinal liquor and dishes are the most popular applications. Long-term use of them is believed to improve health and prevent cancer.