Earthworms are not insects, but rather segmented worms belonging to the phylum Annelida. Despite this, they have long been valued in traditional Chinese medicine for their therapeutic properties. Among the various species, there are several types of locusts, including the Chinese land locust, the common locust, the Tibetan locust, the Yunnan locust, and the Phnom Penh locust. However, in modern times, artificial breeding mainly focuses on the Chinese wolfberry earthworm and other medicinal varieties.
In traditional Chinese medicine, earthworms are considered a valuable remedy. The "Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica" mentions that it is effective for treating conditions such as cold and heat imbalances, blood disorders, internal injuries, and blood stasis. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that it helps with post-natal blood deficiency, blood stasis, tongue ulcers, mouth sores, and abdominal pain in children during the night. The "Classified Herbal Medicine" notes its use in treating bruises, rheumatism, joint pain, and swelling, particularly for women suffering from blood stasis, abdominal pain, bruises, and hematomas. In modern Chinese patent medicines, ingredients like Beating Pills, Zhishang Powder, Qizhi Powder, Swelling Ointment, and Baiyao often include earthworms. Recent studies have also shown that earthworms may possess anti-cancer properties.
The main purpose of breeding these creatures is for medicinal use, so harvesting and processing must strictly follow the quality standards required for medicinal products.
When harvesting, male nymphs can be collected after castration. The primary targets are older female nymphs and adults. When the population density reaches a certain level, apart from leaving some eggs and nymphs for reproduction, large-scale harvesting can be conducted based on actual conditions. Typically, 9th to 11th instar female nymphs have the highest body weight, with a dry rate of 38% to 41%. Each catty (about 500 grams) contains around 400 to 500 dried nymphs, making this the most cost-effective time for harvest. Male nymphs at 8th instar have a dry rate of 30% to 33%, with approximately 2000 dried nymphs per 500 grams. Except for 5% left for mating, the remaining males—about 30% of the total—are removed to prevent them from becoming aggressive once they develop wings. Newly matured females enter the peak egg-laying period after mating and should not be harvested in batches, especially before mid-August. Since the eggs laid by the nymphs can hatch within the same year, efforts should be made to collect them and avoid harvesting. Once females pass the egg-laying peak, they begin to age and can be harvested along with their eggs. From mid-August onwards, all adult females who have already laid eggs are harvested in batches according to their spawning cycles to prevent mass deaths due to aging during winter.
During harvesting, earthworms are usually screened out using a large bamboo sieve or collected by hand and placed into wooden barrels, porcelain jars, or other containers for further processing.
The processing of grasshoppers should be done under good sunlight and weather conditions to prevent mold and spoilage. The drying process is relatively simple: first, the earthworms are washed with water to remove sand, then boiled in hot water, and finally exposed to the sun for 3–4 days until completely dry and free of impurities. It’s important to ensure thorough drying during processing. Before processing, the animals should be fasted for half a day to one day, allowing all food to be fully digested. If food remains in the abdomen, it may lead to mold and insect infestation after processing, affecting the efficacy. Alternatively, the dried locusts can be processed with rice wine—mixing 100g to 200g of rice wine per gram of ground locust, then drying for later use.
Processed earthworms are prone to moisture absorption and worm infestation, especially during summer and autumn. Poor storage can lead to mold and spoilage. Therefore, before the summer season begins, it’s essential to either kill or dry the locusts, and store them in sealed containers such as cylinders, mortars, white iron boxes, or dry wooden boxes in a cool and dry place. Adding about one-third of quicklime to the container can help prevent moisture and pests. During storage, regular checks are necessary, and any abnormalities should be addressed promptly.
Vtm Sampling Tube With Swab
[Sample requirements]
The collected nasopharyngeal swab samples should be transported at 2°C to 8°C and sent for inspection immediately, and the sample delivery and storage time should not exceed 48 hours.
[Testing method]
1. Before sampling, mark the relevant sample information on the label of the sampling tube.
2. According to different sampling requirements, use a sampling swab to sample in the nasopharynx.
3. The specific sampling methods are as follows:
a) Nasal swab: Gently insert the swab head into the nasal palate, stay for a while and then slowly turn to exit. Wipe the other nostril with another swab, immerse the swab head in the sampling solution, and discard the tail.
b) Pharyngeal swab: Wipe bilateral pharyngeal tonsils and posterior pharyngeal wall with a swab, also immerse the swab head in the sampling solution, and discard the tail.
4. Quickly put the swab into the sampling tube.
5. Break the part of the sampling swab higher than the sampling tube, and tighten the tube cover.
6. Freshly collected clinical specimens should be transported to the laboratory within 48 hours at 2°C to 8°C.
[Explanation of test results]
After the sample is collected, the sampling solution turns slightly yellow, which will not affect the nucleic acid test result.
[Limitations of the test method]
1. For samples that are seriously contaminated due to improper storage after collection, the final test results will be affected.
2. If the sample is not stored at the specified temperature, the final test result will be affected.
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