Qiang Lang (Chong)

Qiang Lang, also written Qiang Lang Chong, is the dried whole body of the dung beetle Catharsius molossus (L.) (Scarabaeidae), a robust black coleopteran 2 to 4 cm long with a forward-projecting cephalic horn in the male and broad spade-like fore tibiae adapted for rolling balls of mammalian dung. Distributed across southern China, Taiwan, and tropical Asia, the insect is collected from summer through autumn, killed by scalding, and sun-dried. In traditional Chinese medicine it is salty and cold with mild toxicity, entering the Liver, Stomach, and Large Intestine channels; classical indications include convulsions and tetanus in children, abdominal masses, hemorrhoidal swelling, and topical application for malignant sores and anal fistula. Modern practice limits its use to specialist prescriptions.