Background
Insects as food and medicine
Medicinal insects and other invertebrates
Taxon | English name | Malady or target treated | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
Platyhelminthes & Nematodes | |||
Schistosoma mansoni
| Bilharzia fluke | Diabetes 1 | [222] |
Ancylostoma sp.
Necator americanus
| hookworms | Asthma Crohn’s disease | |
Trichuris suis
| Pig worm | Ulcerative colitis; inflammation of colon and bowel | |
Annelida | |||
Eisenia foetida, Lumbricus rubelus
| Earthworms | Secretions influence murine malignant and lymphocyte cell proliferations | [158] |
Pheretima spp. | Earthworms | Eaten raw to serve as antidote in snake & spider bites Taken orally or mixed with honey to drink in cases of malaria Crushed and applied to red eyes | |
Metaphire houletti
| Earthworm | Fried and oily substances applied externally to a burn | [153] |
Perionyx sp. | Earthworm | Crushed fresh and resultant juice to drink to fight piles | [153] |
Lumbricus sp. | Earthworm | Consumed for haemorrhoids, arthritis, earache, to clean obstructions | [78] |
Lumbricidae etc. | Earthworms generally | Extracts with antibacterial, prophylactic and neuroimmune sytem supporting functions | [152] |
Earthworms generally | Earthworm extracts with antipyretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, detoxic, antiasthmatic, antihypertensive and antiallergenic effects | [155] | |
Earthworms generally | Kidney stones, alopecia, jaundice, arthralgia, infections, anticoagulant & antibacterial effects | [34] | |
Black earthworm | Schistosomiasis, lumps | [96] | |
Hirudo medicinalis
| (Medicinal) leech | Fried in sesame oil and oil applied over penis for stimulation | [113] |
Hirudo medicinalis
| (Medicinal) leech | Abnormal swellings, wound healing, surgery, piles, osteoarthritis, haematoma, anticoagulents, post-phlebitis syndrome, abscesses | |
Mollusca: Bivalvia & Cephalopoda | |||
Angulus (=Tellina) sp. | Sea shell | Ground shell as a mild purgative; women’s diseases | [78] |
Mactra sp. | Sea shell | Acne | [172] |
Loligo sp.
Octopus sp. | Squid Octopus | Asthma treatment with tea of toasted cuttlebone or octopi arms | [228] |
Sepia officinalis
| Cuttlefish | Skin & tooth troubles | [78] |
Mollusca: Gastropoda | |||
Gastropoda generally | Snails generally | Skin, analgesic & ischaemia cardiporotective, syncope, mental illness, vertigo, infections, pain | |
Arion hortensis
| Garden slug, swallowed whole | Treatment for gastritis or stomach ulcer | [163] |
Unidentified slugs | N American slugs | Ulcers, bronchitis, asthma | |
Unidentified slugs | Snail and slug slime | Facial skin lesions, acne, combat wrinkles, reduce pigmentation | [170] |
Unidentified slugs | Slug mucus | Dermatitis, inflammation, calluses, wound healing, warts removal | [163] |
Unidentified black slug | Black slug mucus | Wart removal | |
Unidentified snails | Garden snails | Snail slime application in cases of skin problems and internal for tuberculosis, gastrointestinal conditions, nephritis; hernias, inflammations, colds & coughs, bronchitis, asthma, pharyngitis; snail extracts work antibacterial against Staphylococcus spp., E. coli, Propionibacterium and Helicobacter pylori, scar and wrinkle removal | [164] |
Pila sp. | Apple snail | Flesh boiled and drunk for bone healing or locally applied; flesh eaten for injuries; flesh eaten raw for gastritis; flesh cooked & consumed form tongue blister; shell roasted and crushed applied to burns | [73] |
Pila globosa
| Apple snail | Flesh cooked and eaten as relief for asthma, TB, stomach disorders, eye problems | [119] |
Helix sp. | Common snail | Body consumed to treat haemorrhoids & internal ills | [78] |
Helix pomatia
| Whooping cough, chronic bronchitis | [169] | |
Semisulcospira libertina
| Black freshwater snail | Ingested as soup for liver and gastroenteric trouble | [231] |
Lymnaea sp. | Pond snail | Flesh, boiled in water for measles, liver ailments, swellings and sprains | [77] |
Chelicerata: Araneae | |||
Aviculariinae | Bird-eating spiders, “tarantulas” | Homeopathic uses as “mygale lasidora” tincture | [41] |
Grammostola spatulata
Psalmapoeus cambridgei
| China “tarantula” S. Am.“tarantula” | Analgesic Analgesic | |
Brachypelma vagans
| “Tarantula” | Tarantula-based beverage with spider crushed or roasted and powdered; sometimes rubbed on chest externally | [148] |
Tegenaria gigantea
| Sheet spider | Web’s ashes with honey as aphrodisiac and for muscular dystrophy symptoms | [113] |
Heteropoda venatoria
| Huntsman spider | Dried spider put in orifice to treat ottorhoea | [77] |
Neoscona excelsus
Argiope pulchella
Neoscona mukerjei
Neoscona theis
Lycosa poonaensis
Pardosa birmanica
Pardosa sumatrana
Artema Atlanta
Mirpissa decorata
| Orb web spider Orb weaver Orb weaver Wolf spider Pond spider Marsh spider House spider Jumping spider | Spider drug to cure liver enlargement Spider dry powder with various leaf juices to treat bleedings, dry cough, headache Dry powder used in cases of fever in kala-azar, for purgative condition in children, insomnia and blood dysentery Diuretic and purgative condition Spider drug for insomnia Dry powder used in connection with bronchitis, asthma, arterial sclerosis Toothache Powder to improve memory, loss of voice, applied in cases of epistaxis and to remove body fat Spider drug to cure tonsillitis | [149] |
Spiders generally | Spider webs | External uses: Removal of warts; to dress wounds and stop bleeding; internal uses: to cure troublesome, obstinate distemper, reduce intermittent fever; to congeal blood after tooth extraction | |
Webs covered in black soot | Used to cover pale spots on people’s black skin in Chad (Africa) or dress wounds (Tanzania: Marusha) | [49] | |
Spider webs | Put over boils, postules, ulcers; covering wounds; curing wound following circumcision (Sudan: Dongolawi); as a filter during sucking blood (Kenya: Kuku) | [49] | |
Theraphosidae | Bird-eating spiders | Toasted powdered hairs mixed with chalk for pemba floor drawings used in magic about spirits and death | [59] |
Chelicerata: Scorpionida & Acari | |||
Tytius sp. | Scorpion | Whole animal used to treat its own sting; Crushed scorpion or extract or dried and ground applied to site of sting | |
Tytius discrepans
| Scorpion | Inhibits Leishmania spp. in vitro | [34] |
Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus
| Scorpion | Consumed for skin problems & haemorrhoids | [78] |
Buthus martensii or Mesobuthus martensis
| Scorpion | Pain killer, convulsions, palsy, stroke, facial paralysis, migraine, lymph damage, tetanus, parotis, oedema, carbuncle; Speech disorders | |
Palamnaeus swammerdami
| Scorpion | Boiled in mustard oil with extract for massage to relieve rheumatic joints pain | [119] |
Ixodes ricinus & I. scapularis
| Ticks | Vascular & thrombotic ills | [34] |
Ornithodoros moubata
| Soft bird tick | Deliberate tick bites to develop immunity against tick-borne fever bacterium or rubbing crushed tick into small skin incision | [49] |
Boophilus microplus
| Cattle tick | Chickenpox | [17] |
Trombidium grandissimum
| Red velvet mite | Malaria, urogenital ills, paralysis, aphrodisiac | [79] |
Crustacea: | |||
Ocypode quadrata
Eupagurus sp. Name not available | Ghost crab Hermit crab Jellyfish crab | Whole animal used for treatment of asthma and haemorrhage in women | [228] |
Paratelphusa sp. | Freshwater crab | Boiled in water; water to be drunk to fight jaundice; ground up with male banana flower and consumed to healinflammatory glands | [77] |
Ucides cordatus
| Mangrove crab | Crab fat mixed in white wine to treat haemorrhage in women | [228] |
Scylla serrata and Penaeus indicus
| Mangrove crab and river prawn | Treatment of old age diabetics and to cure skin disease | [77] |
Cancer pagurus
| Crab | Body crushed into paste, the boiled and drunk to cure jaundice & liver ills; as a tonic | |
Claridopsis dubia
| Mantis shrimp | Tea of powdered animal for asthma treatment | [52] |
Porcellio scaber
| Woodlouse, slater | Oedema | [70] |
Echinodermata: Asteroidea | |||
Actinopyga agassizi
Acanthaster planci
Asterias forbesi
| Starfish | Anti-tumour Anti-viral Anti-inflammatory | |
Unidentified | Starfish | Asthma | [96] |
Echinodermata: Echinoidea
Mellita sp.,
Echinometra lucunter
| Sand dollar Sea urchins | Tea of toasted whole animal to treat asthma | |
Myriapoda: Chilopoda | |||
Scolopendra spp. | Centipedes | Hyperlipidemia, problems of joints, feet, legs, stroke, convulsions, lumps, snake bites, tumours, carbuncles, tetanus, lymphangitis, cough, alopecia, neuralgia, whooping, osteomyelitis, gangrene | |
Myriapoda: Diplopoda | |||
Tymbodesmus falcatus
Sphenodesmus sheribongensis
One Spirostreptid species | Millipedes | Malaria | [140] |
Archispirostreptus syriacus
| Giant millipede | Removal of unwanted hair from eyelids | [78] |
Tachypodoiulus niger
| Black millipede | Decoction to be taken orally for tuberculosis | [77] |
Unidentified | Jongoo (Swaheli) millipede | Dried, used as ash and rubbed into scarifications | Referred to as “Tausenfüßler” in [51], but could be a centipede (“Hundertfüßler”) |
Classification | Treatment | Additional information |
---|---|---|
Lepidoptera (Bombycidae) | ||
Bombyx mori
| Larvae employed in stopping bleedings, throat troubles, fever and snake bite; Pupae used in connection with throat problems, tuberculosis, kidney problems; Adults to stop bleedings and counter snake bite. | Faeces used in connection with bellyache, intestines, lumbago, cramps, eye infections, gonorrhoea, brain haemorrhage, haemorrhoids |
Antheraea yamamai
| Larvae used in connection with asthma and cramps; Pupae for throat and skin troubles, lumps and cramps; | Cocoon used in connection with bone fractures |
Antheraea pernyi
| Pupae to reduce tumour growths & lumps | Cocoon to treat bone fractures and cramps |
Dictyoploca japonica
| Eggs used in treating skin problems | |
Rhodinia fugax
| Cocoon for tumour & lump reduction | Whooping cough |
Lepidoptera (Sphingidae) | ||
Theretra oldenlandiae
| Larvae all considered effective in treatments of TB, stomach upsets, umps, tumours and fever as well as snake bites | |
Theretra nessus
| ||
Acherontia styx
| ||
Pergesa elpenor lewisi
| ||
Macroglossa stellatarum
| ||
Herse convolvuli
| ||
Psilogramma increta
| ||
Lepidoptera (Brahmaeidae) | ||
Brahmaea japonica
| Larvae used in connection with cramps, respiratory and stomach troubles | Larvae can mitigate anaemia |
Lepidoptera (Cochlidionidae) | ||
Cnidocampa flavescens
| Larvae help against cramps; Pupae and adults considered to have positive effect on vision | |
Lepidoptera (Hepialidae) | ||
Phassus excrescens
| Larvae used for lung and stomach troubles and snake bite | |
Lepidoptera (Psychidae) | ||
Cryptothelea minuscula
| Larvae used for toothache and larvae as well as adults for respiratory problems | Also used in connection with anaemia |
Lepidoptera (Aegeriidae) | ||
Paranthrene regalis
| Larvae used for stomach upsets, cramps and gynaecological issues | Used in cases of diphtheria |
Lepidoptera (Cossidae) | ||
Holocerus vicarius
| Used in fighting fever and cramps | |
Lepidoptera (Papilionidae) | ||
Papilio xuthus
| Larvae and adults all used in connection with skin disorders; adults moreover in treatments of lumps and tumours | |
Papilio machaon
| ||
Papilio protenor demetrius
| ||
Papilio macilentus
| ||
Papilio alcinous
| ||
Graphium sarpedon nipponus
| ||
Hymenoptera (Apidae) | ||
Apis indica japonica
| Honey used in connection with skin, respiratory, urinary and intestinal disorders, snake bite and rabies; Wax used also in connection with skin and digestive problems and snake bite: Larvae & adults in connection with rheumatism | Honey given in cases of influenza, the common cold and whooping cough; wax for freckles and constipation |
Hymenoptera (Xylocopidae) | ||
Xylocopa apendiculata circumvolans
| Larvae used in connection with fever and respiratory/lung ailments | Considered also effective in cases of haemorrhoids |
Hymenoptera (Vespidae) | ||
Vespa auraria
| Larvae used in connection with skin diseases, fever and respiratory problems; Pupae used in connection with whooping cough Nest material for ear, eye and dental problems, skin disorders and cramps | Larval treatment in cases of haemorrhoids |
Vespa mandarina
| ||
Nest material considered effective in venereal disease and haemorrhoids | ||
Hymenoptera (Braconidae) | ||
Euurobracon penerator
| Larvae used in cases of cramp | |
Coleoptera (Cerambycidae) | ||
Apriona rugicollis
| Larvae used in connection with lung problems, cramps and palsy | |
Batocera lineolata
| Larvae used to mitigate cramps | Used in cancer therapy and diphtheria |
Chloridolum thaliodes
| Larvae involved in treating smallpox | |
Coleoptera (Meloidae) | ||
Epicauta gorhami
| Adults used in treatments of hair, skin excretory (kidney) system and rabies | Considered effective in cases of warts |
Coleoptera (Cicindelidae) | ||
Cicindela chinensis
| Adults used in connection with skin, tumours and gynaecological problems | |
Coleoptera (Telephoridae) | ||
Luciola lateralis
| Adults used in connection with bleedings, hair and tumours | Considered effective in cases of whooping cough, haemorrhoids and as a tonic |
Luciola cruciata
| ||
Coleoptera (Hydrophilidae) | ||
Hydrous acuminatus
| Larvae used in connection with skin disorders and cramps | Considered effective in cases of whooping cough |
Hydrophilus affinis
| ||
Sternolophus rufipes
| ||
Coleoptera (Dytiscidae) | ||
Cybister brevis
| Larvae prescribed in cases of asthma, respiratory and stomach problems | |
Cybister japonicus
| ||
Cybister trpuntatus
| ||
Rhantus pulverosus
| Adults used in cases of skin disorders | |
Coleoptera (Scarabaeidae) | ||
Xylotrupes dichotomus
| Larvae involved in treating gynaecological problems | |
Coleoptera (Lucanicidae) | ||
Lucanus macrifemoratus
| Larvae and adults involved in treatments of gynaecological problems | |
Psalidoremus inclinatus
| ||
Coleoptera (Gyrinidae) | ||
Gyrinus curtus
Gyrinus japonicus
Dineutes marginatus
| Larvae and adults both used in connection with lung and stomach problems, fever and cramps | |
Diptera (Syrphidae) | ||
Eristalis tenax
| Pupae for eye problems. tooth ache, and fever; adults inconnection with cramps | |
Diptera (Tabanidae) | ||
Tabanus trigonus
| Adults used for eye disorders and tumours | |
Tabanus rufidens
| ||
Tabanus chrysurus
| ||
Tabanus mandarinus
| ||
Diptera (Muscidae) | ||
Musca domestica
| Larvae used in treating snake bites and fever, gut and stomach problems and eye disorders; Adults in connection with fever, tooth ache and skin disorders | Effective in cases of haemorrhoids |
Muscina stabulans
| ||
Fannia canicularis
| ||
Calliphora lata
| Used in connection with venereal diseases | |
Diptera (Ortalidae) | ||
Dryomyza formosa
| Larvae used to reduce fever, in cases of snake bite, gut and stomach problems and eye disorders | |
Diptera (Culiciidae) | ||
Culex pipiens
| Adults used to counteract venereal diseases | |
Aedes japonicus
| ||
Aedes albopictus
| ||
Anopheles japonicus
| ||
Aphaniptera (Pulicidae) | ||
Pulex irritans
| Adults all used in connection with venereal diseases | |
Ctenocephalus canis
| ||
Ctenocephalus felis
| ||
Anoplura (Pediculidae) | ||
Pediculus corporis
| Adults used in cases of venereal diseases | |
Pedicuus humanus
| ||
Orthoptera (Gryllotalpidae) | ||
Gryllotalpa africana
| Adults used to reduce fever, mitigate skin and kidney troubles and fight tumour growths | Considered also useful in connection with venereal disease |
Orthoptera (Gryllidae) | ||
Gryllus mitratus
| Larvae and adults used for fever and tumour reduction | Adults used for dysentery |
Orthoptera (Locustidae) | ||
Oxya velox
| Adults used in cases of fever, respiratory, skin and gynaecological problems | Effective in treating cancer, haemorrhoids and anaemia |
Oxya vicina
| ||
Mantodea | ||
Paratenodera aridifolia
| Adults used in treating fever, beriberi, tooth ache, fever, hair and respiratory problems | |
Paratenodera angustiennis
| ||
Statilia maculata
| ||
Hierodula patellifera
| ||
Mantis religiosa
| ||
Blattaria | ||
Blattella germanica
| Adults used in connection with skin and stomach disorders | |
Periplaneta americana
| ||
Periplaneta picea
| ||
Blatta orientalis
| ||
Odonata (Libellulidae) | ||
Sympetrum darwinianum
| Adults used in connection with throat aches, asthma, tumours and fever | Larvae considered to help against whooping cough |
Sympetrum elatum
| Adults used for asthma | |
Sympetrum croceolum
| Adults all considered effective in cases of asthma | |
Sympetrum frequense
| ||
Orthetrum albistylum
| ||
Crocothemis servillia
| Adults used for ear, eye, throat and gut problems as well as fever | Used also in connection with diphtheria and cough |
Neuroptera (Myrmeleonidae) | ||
Hagenomyia micans
| Larvae used in connection with fever, migraine/headaches, beriberi and gonorrhoea; adults considered effective in cases of whooping cough | |
Neuroptera (Sialidae) | ||
Prothermes grandis
| Larvae used for treating lung, stomach and gut problems | |
Plecoptera (Perlidae) | ||
Perla tibialis | Larvae considered effective in cases of cramps | |
Perla tinctipennis | ||
Hemiptera (Nepidae, Belostomatidae, Aphidiidae) | ||
Lacotrephes japonensis
| Eggs used in connection with bleedings, intestinal and uterine problems; adults in connection with cough, dysentery and haemorrhoids | |
Ranatra chinensis
| ||
Ranatra unicolor
| ||
Kirkaldya deyrollei
| ||
Schlechtendalia chinensis
| Larvae used for endocrine disorders | |
Hemiptera (Coccidae) | ||
Ericerus pe-la
| Wax used to stop bleedings and in connection with lung and stomach problems | Considered effective against warts |
Hemiptera (Cicadidae) | ||
Terpnosia vacua
| Larvae used in cases of anaemia; Exuviae for ear problems, tooth ache and fever as well as kidney problems and tumours | Exuviae also considered effective in cases of smallpox, coughs and haemorrhoids |
Platypeura kaempferi
| ||
Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata
| ||
Cryptotympana japonensis
| ||
Tanna japonensis
| ||
Oncotympana maculaticollis
| ||
Meimuna opalifera
| ||
Thysanura | ||
Lepisma villosum
| Adults used in cases of eye disease and kidney dysfunction | Adults also considered effective in cases of paralysis |
Mere medicinal magic or improperly understood traditional curative knowledge?
Major kinds of largely terrestrial arthropods used therapeutically
Most commonly involved orders of Insects
Bees, ants and other Hymenoptera
Category of medical problems | Number of treatable conditions per category |
---|---|
Allergies | - 4 |
Cancers, neoplasms & tumours | - 8 |
Cardiovascular conditions | - 24 |
Endocrine conditions | - 10 |
Eye problems | - 12 |
Fever& other whole body conditions | - 3 |
Haematological problems | - 4 |
Immune system disorders/AIDS | - 7 |
Infections & viral diseases | - 7 |
Kidney & urogenital problems | - 16 |
Metabolic & digestive problems/liver | - 15 |
Muscular skeletal problems | - 4 |
Neurological diseases/mental problems | - 19 |
Nose, ear & throat conditions | - 26 |
Respiratory problems | - 19 |
Rheumatology | - 23 |
Sexual disorders | - 6 |
Skin conditions | - 43 |
Teeth/dental problems | - 14 |
Traumas | - 4 |
Termites (Isoptera)
Beetles (Coleoptera)
Bugs, (Hemiptera, now including the formerly separate order Homoptera)
Cockroaches (Blattaria)
Flies and kin (Diptera)
Grasshoppers, crickets and kin (Orthoptera)
Moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Insects representing other orders
Indirect medical uses of insects
Honey and other insect products
Insect nests and dwellings
Insects as substrates for medicinal fungi
Diagnoses based on the presence of insects
Non-insect arthropods, gastropods and “worms”
Centipedes and millipedes (Myriapoda)
Spiders and other arachnids (Chelicerata)
Worms: annelids, nematodes, platyhelminthes etc
Snails and other molluscs
Future insect resource availability and use
Sustainability and ecological impact
Effective health-promoting compounds identified from insects and other invertebrates
Species and/or component | Efficacy and properties | Source |
---|---|---|
Beeswax, honey & royal jelly | Bio-active, oestrogenic and immunosuppressive compounds | |
Bee venom | Anti-malignant, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic peptides, e.g. melittin | |
Lice salivary glands | Medically effective toxins | [182] |
Fly maggots | Anti-microbial secretions | |
Stinging ants | Antimicrobial, haemolytic, cytolytic, insecticidal compounds, e.g., peptides | |
Meloid beetles, e.g., Mylabris phalerata
| Cytotoxic effect on human mononuclear leukaemic U937 cells and anti-cancer and anti-leismanial activities; apoptosis inducer | |
Centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans
| Peptides with strong antimicrobial and moderate haemolytic activity against human and rabbit red cells | |
Chelicerates (e.g., Heterometrus bengalensis scorpion) | Apoptogenic, anti-proliferative, anti-osteoporosis substance, e.g., bengalin | |
Ticks (e.g., Ixodes sp.) and leeches | Cell proliferation inhibitors and Anti-coagulants, e.g., hirudin | |
Earthworms, e.g. Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubelus
| Anti-pyretic, anti-spasmodic, diuretic, anti-asthmatic, anti-hypertensive, anti-allergic, anti-neoplastic properties |
Discussion
The “Doctrine of Signatures”: let likes be cured by likes
For each malady one species or one species for all ills?
Used fresh and crushed or as a paste | Used dried, fried or as a powder | Boiled and use of extract of insect or spider | Tonic or decoction of insect or spider | Other, e.g. smoke & fumes or wash | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
External: applied to aching/injured body part | 19 | 3 | 3 | -- | 2 |
Internal: inhaled, or swallowed with or without liquid | 8 | 25 | 11 | 13 | 6 (as fumes to be inhaled) |
Heart & blood | Skin & wounds & burns | Lungs & bronchi & asthma | Kidney & urogenital | Ulcers & tumors | Haemorrhoids | Muscle & rheumatism | Fever & colds | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Odonata & plus aquatic orders | X | X | X | X | X | |||
Orthoptera | X | X | X | X | X | |||
Isoptera | X | X | X | X | X | |||
Hemiptera | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||
Coleoptera | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
Lepidoptera | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
Hymenoptera | X | apitherapy | apitherapy | apitherapy | apitherapy | X | X | |
Diptera | X | X | X | |||||
Other orders | X | X | X | X | ||||
Chilopoda | X | X | X | X | ||||
Scorpiondae | X | X | X | |||||
Oligochaeta | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Gastropoda | X | X | X | X | X | X |