✵The article records the herb Scorpion—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its zoological source: the insect species Buthus martensii Karsch. It provides a detailed description of the morphological features, life habits, and ecological environment of this species; the characteristics of the processed herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Scorpio (Scorpion)
Pinyin Name: Quán Xiē
English Name: Scorpion
Latin Name:Scorpio Properties and Flavor: Neutral; pungent and toxic
Brief Introduction:Scorpio is the dried, boiled body of Buthus martensii Karsch. It is used to subdue endogenous Wind for treating various tic disorders, convulsions, tetanus, and sequelae of cerebrovascular accidents. The herb is commonly known as Scorpio, Scorpion, or Quán Xiē.
Zoological Source: Traditional herbal classics define Scorpio (Scorpion) as the dried body of Buthus martensii Karsch. It is an arachnid belonging to the family Buthidae, order Scorpiones, and genus Mesobuthus (formerly classified under Buthus, but current taxonomy places the species in Mesobuthus martensii; however, the traditional name Buthus martensii Karsch remains widely accepted in TCM literature). This commonly used species is described below:
(1) Buthus martensii Karsch
Insect Description: Commonly known as Dōng Yà Qián Xiē (“East Asian Scorpion”), Qián Xiē, or Wèn Jīng Xiē (“Equisetum-shaped Scorpion”), it is one of the most widely distributed scorpion species in China. Body length is approximately 60 mm; the prosoma (cephalothorax and preabdomen) is olive-brown (greenish brown), and the metasoma (postabdomen or tail) is khaki. The tergite of the cephalothorax is trapezoidal. Lateral eyes occur in three pairs. The sternum is triangular. The chelicerae bear forcipiform (pincer-like) upper limbs with two teeth. Pedipalps are forcipiform; the inner surfaces of the pedipalps and walking legs bear 12 obliquely arranged granular rows. The tibiae of the third and fourth pairs of walking legs are calcariferous; the tarsal ends bear two claws and one calcar. The anterior notum of the preabdomen bears five longitudinal ridges. The genital operculum consists of two semicircular sclerites. The pectines bear 16–25 teeth. The first four segments of the metasoma each bear ten longitudinal ridges; the fifth segment bears five ridges; and the aculeus (venomous stinger) of the sixth segment is unarmed (lacking a subaculear calcar).
Biological Characteristics: East Asian scorpions belong to the class Arachnida. They are native to wild habitats such as rocky slopes, crevices, and soil burrows. In the wild, females typically give birth once per year. Under controlled artificial cultivation—maintaining optimal temperature and humidity—their reproductive cycle accelerates, enabling up to two parturitions annually. It is a valuable medicinal arachnid. Artificial scorpion farming requires minimal investment: approximately 2,000 individuals can be reared per square meter in well-designed enclosures. Management is labor-efficient and feasible both indoors and outdoors.
Scorpions are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and venomous. They are generally resistant to infectious diseases; however, mortality may occur due to environmental stressors—including excessive dryness or moisture, overcrowding, or mechanical disturbance. Even specimens that die from such causes may still be processed into medicinal material, retaining economic value. Their diet includes soft-bodied insects such as yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), supplemented occasionally with vegetables, fruits, and leaves. Under thermostatic (non-hibernating) cultivation, the full growth cycle—from birth to maturity—requires 8–10 months. Based on an annual reproductive output of two offspring per adult female, and a typical brood size of 25–35 young, each juvenile requires approximately nine months to reach sexual maturity.
Gestation lasts about 110 days, encompassing fertilization, ovulation, and embryonic development, culminating in live birth (lecithotrophic viviparity). Juveniles undergo six molts before reaching maturity. Their primary food consists of soft, juicy insects. They exhibit positive thermotaxis and hydrotaxis (attraction to warmth and moisture) and negative phototaxis, phonotaxis, and thigmotaxis (aversion to light, sound, and vibration). The optimal temperature range for enzymatic activity in vivo is 35–40 °C (95–104 °F).
Due to their strong negative phototaxis, scorpions are reared in dark environments over successive generations. Consequently, behaviors such as foraging, mating, and reproduction gradually become uncoupled from circadian rhythms. Likewise, prolonged exposure to stable thermal conditions selects for accelerated development. After multiple generations of adaptation, the developmental period has shortened from the natural three-year cycle to 8–10 months.
Life Habits: Life Habits: Scorpions live in dark and humid places; they are nocturnal (hiding by day and emerging at night), sensitive to freezing temperatures, and burrow into the soil to hibernate during winter. They can survive without food for extended periods and typically emerge after the Awakening of Insects (a solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar occurring around March 5–7). Scorpions are carnivorous arthropods that feed on insects, ants, earthworms, termites, worms, and other soft-bodied invertebrates. They are perennial organisms with strong reproductive capacity; breeding usually occurs around July.
Physical Habits: 1. Scorpions are nocturnal arthropods (hiding by day and emerging at night); they prefer damp environments but avoid excessive moisture, darkness, and strong light. They exhibit gregarious behavior, are generally quiet and inactive, and display nest recognition and conspecific recognition. Most scorpions inhabit fixed nests in groups. Large colonies typically contain both males and females of varying sizes living together harmoniously, with infrequent intraspecific aggression. However, individuals from different species—or even unfamiliar conspecifics—often attack and kill one another upon encounter.
2. Scorpions undergo hibernation: activity typically resumes in late April, following the Awakening of Insects, and ceases in early November. Their annual active period lasts approximately six months. During this time, scorpions usually emerge from their nests between 8 PM and 11 PM after sunset and return between 2 AM and 3 AM the following morning. This nocturnal activity pattern is most common on dry, warm nights; they rarely emerge on windy days.
3. Scorpions are poikilothermic (ectothermic) arthropods, yet they exhibit considerable tolerance to both cold and heat. They can survive in ambient temperatures ranging from −5 °C to 40 °C (23 °F to 104 °F). Growth, development, and reproduction are highly temperature-dependent. Activity declines significantly below 10 °C (50 °F); below 20 °C (68 °F), activity further decreases. The optimal temperature range for growth and development is 25–39 °C (77–102.2 °F); peak activity occurs at 35–39 °C (95–102.2 °F), accelerating development. Temperatures exceeding 41 °C (105.8 °F) cause rapid water loss; without timely cooling or hydration, scorpions quickly become dehydrated and die. At temperatures above 43 °C (109.4 °F), mortality is rapid. Thus, for artificial rearing, maintaining temperatures within the optimal range—particularly 35–38 °C (95–100.4 °F)—is critical.
4. Growth and reproduction are also strongly influenced by environmental humidity. In the wild, during prolonged droughts, scorpions burrow up to 1 meter deep into moist soil to shelter; conversely, during heavy rain or flooding, they climb to higher, drier ground. Therefore, in captivity, attention must be paid to moisture content in feed as well as ambient humidity in enclosures and nesting areas. Generally, activity zones should remain moderately moist, while nesting substrates should be slightly drier—this balance promotes healthy growth, development, and reproduction. Excessively wet nests increase susceptibility to injury and impair molting; excessively dry activity zones—especially when combined with low-moisture feed—disrupt normal physiological development and may trigger cannibalism.
5. Scorpions prefer darkness and avoid light, particularly intense illumination; however, they require low-level light exposure to absorb solar heat, enhance digestion, accelerate growth and development, and support embryonic development in gravid females. Field and laboratory observations indicate a positive phototactic response to weak light and a negative response to bright light; notably, they show strongest attraction to dim green light.
6. Scorpions are highly sensitive to strong odors—including paint, gasoline, kerosene, asphalt, pesticides, fertilizers, lime, and other chemicals—and actively avoid them. Their olfactory sensitivity makes such substances highly detrimental, potentially causing death. They are also extremely sensitive to intense vibrations and loud sounds, which may induce stress responses—including cessation of feeding, mating, breeding, and parturition.
The Life Cycle: Scorpions typically live for about eight years and reproduce for approximately five years. Developmental stages are classified not by chronological age but by the number of molts (ecdyses), ranging from first-instar (newly born) to seventh-instar scorpions, with gravid females constituting a separate physiological category. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, juvenile scorpions may reach the second instar in about four days; the third instar is in approximately 50 days; the fourth instar is in about 105 days; the fifth instar is in roughly 160 days; the sixth instar is in around 215 days; and the seventh instar is in approximately 280 days.
Ecological Environment: Scorpions are ovoviviparous. They are predominantly fossorial, preferring microhabitats such as crevices beneath rocks or leaf litter. They are nocturnal predators, feeding primarily on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods.
Characteristics of the Herb: The cephalothorax (head and thorax) and preabdomen (anterior abdomen) are flattened and oblong-oval in shape; the postabdomen is caudiform (tail-like), slender, and highly flexible. A mature specimen measures approximately 6 cm in total length. The cephalothorax is olive-brown, bearing a pair of short, stout chelicerae and a pair of elongated, robust, pincer-like pedipalps—resembling crab chelae in form. Its dorsal surface is covered by a trapezoidal tergite (carapace); the ventral side bears four pairs of walking legs, each composed of seven segments and terminating in two tarsal claws. The preabdomen consists of seven segments; the seventh segment is darkly pigmented and exhibits five longitudinal ridges on its tergite. Dorsally, the preabdomen is olive-brown; the postabdomen is brownish-yellow, comprising six segments, each marked by longitudinal grooves. The terminal segment bears a sharp, curved, venomous stinger (aculeus), with a subaculear vesicle (venom gland) located beneath it. The dried whole scorpion has a faint fishy odor and a salty taste.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Anticonvulsant effects; (2) Cardiovascular modulation (e.g., hypotensive and antiarrhythmic activities); (3) Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects; (4) Neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties.
Medicinal Efficacy: Calms endogenous wind, alleviates spasms and convulsions; dispels pathogenic wind; unblocks meridians and relieves pain; detoxifies and counteracts poisons; resolves blood stasis. Indicated for disorders associated with liver-yang rising or liver-wind agitation—including infantile convulsions, apoplexy with lockjaw, epilepsy, hemiplegia, facial paralysis, tetanus, rheumatic numbness and arthralgia, migraine (unilateral or generalized headache), dental pain, deafness, sore throat, urticaria, measles-related eruptions, carbuncles, scrofula, subcutaneous nodules, burns, chronic dermatitis, snakebite, and venomous insect stings.
Administration of Scorpio (Quán Xiē):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Scorpio (Quán Xiē)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–6 grams; (2) water decoction, 0.5–2 qián (≈1.5–6 grams), Internally: water decoction, Quán Xiē, 0.8–1.5 qián (≈2.4–4.5 grams), Xiē Wěi (scorpion tail only), 3–5 fēn (≈0.9–1.5 grams);May also be formulated into pills or powders. Externally: Apply an appropriate amount of finely powdered herb—either directly, as a paste mixed with vinegar or honey, or incorporated into an ointment or oil infusion for topical application. (3) Internally: water decoction,2–5 grams; prepare to ground herb powder and prepare to pill, powder, 0.5–1 grams each time; Xiē Wěi (scorpion tail only), 1/3 dosage of Quán Xiē. Externally: Apply an appropriate amount of finely powdered herb—either directly, as a paste mixed with vinegar or honey, or incorporated into an ointment or oil infusion for topical application.
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Should not be combined with Helix spp. (snails) due to potential antagonistic interactions. Caution is advised in patients with hypersensitivity, bleeding disorders, or severe hepatic/renal impairment. Overdosage may cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or neuromuscular excitation.
✵The article records the herb Scorpion—its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, and its zoological source: the insect species Buthus martensii Karsch. It provides a detailed description of the morphological features, life habits, and ecological environment of this species; the characteristics of the processed herb; its pharmacological actions; medicinal efficacy; and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Quán Xiē
Insect Description: Commonly known as Dōng Yà Qián Xiē (“East Asian Scorpion”), Qián Xiē, or Wèn Jīng Xiē (“Equisetum-shaped Scorpion”), it is one of the most widely distributed scorpion species in China. Body length is approximately 60 mm; the prosoma (cephalothorax and preabdomen) is olive-brown (greenish brown), and the metasoma (postabdomen or tail) is khaki. The tergite of the cephalothorax is trapezoidal. Lateral eyes occur in three pairs. The sternum is triangular. The chelicerae bear forcipiform (pincer-like) upper limbs with two teeth. Pedipalps are forcipiform; the inner surfaces of the pedipalps and walking legs bear 12 obliquely arranged granular rows. The tibiae of the third and fourth pairs of walking legs are calcariferous; the tarsal ends bear two claws and one calcar. The anterior notum of the preabdomen bears five longitudinal ridges. The genital operculum consists of two semicircular sclerites. The pectines bear 16–25 teeth. The first four segments of the metasoma each bear ten longitudinal ridges; the fifth segment bears five ridges; and the aculeus (venomous stinger) of the sixth segment is unarmed (lacking a subaculear calcar).
Biological Characteristics: East Asian scorpions belong to the class Arachnida. They are native to wild habitats such as rocky slopes, crevices, and soil burrows. In the wild, females typically give birth once per year. Under controlled artificial cultivation—maintaining optimal temperature and humidity—their reproductive cycle accelerates, enabling up to two parturitions annually. It is a valuable medicinal arachnid. Artificial scorpion farming requires minimal investment: approximately 2,000 individuals can be reared per square meter in well-designed enclosures. Management is labor-efficient and feasible both indoors and outdoors.
Life Habits: Life Habits: Scorpions live in dark and humid places; they are nocturnal (hiding by day and emerging at night), sensitive to freezing temperatures, and burrow into the soil to hibernate during winter. They can survive without food for extended periods and typically emerge after the Awakening of Insects (a solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar occurring around March 5–7). Scorpions are carnivorous arthropods that feed on insects, ants, earthworms, termites, worms, and other soft-bodied invertebrates. They are perennial organisms with strong reproductive capacity; breeding usually occurs around July.
Ecological Environment: Scorpions are ovoviviparous. They are predominantly fossorial, preferring microhabitats such as crevices beneath rocks or leaf litter. They are nocturnal predators, feeding primarily on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods.
Characteristics of the Herb: The cephalothorax (head and thorax) and preabdomen (anterior abdomen) are flattened and oblong-oval in shape; the postabdomen is caudiform (tail-like), slender, and highly flexible. A mature specimen measures approximately 6 cm in total length. The cephalothorax is olive-brown, bearing a pair of short, stout chelicerae and a pair of elongated, robust, pincer-like pedipalps—resembling crab chelae in form. Its dorsal surface is covered by a trapezoidal tergite (carapace); the ventral side bears four pairs of walking legs, each composed of seven segments and terminating in two tarsal claws. The preabdomen consists of seven segments; the seventh segment is darkly pigmented and exhibits five longitudinal ridges on its tergite. Dorsally, the preabdomen is olive-brown; the postabdomen is brownish-yellow, comprising six segments, each marked by longitudinal grooves. The terminal segment bears a sharp, curved, venomous stinger (aculeus), with a subaculear vesicle (venom gland) located beneath it. The dried whole scorpion has a faint fishy odor and a salty taste.
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