Lou Gu Dried (Gryllotalpa orientalis) — Whole Dried Mole Cricket, Traditional Herbal Material 500g

Lou Gu Dried (Gryllotalpa orientalis), known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Lóu Gū (蝼蛄) and also called La Gu (拉蛄), Di Gou (地狗), or Tu Gou Zi (土狗子), is the whole dried body of the mole cricket, a traditional animal-derived herbal material long recorded in classical Chinese materia medica. In TCM it is traditionally classified as a diuretic and water-draining herb, used within the framework of traditional function directions to promote urination and reduce swelling. Its nature is salty and cold, with a mild toxicity noted in classical texts, giving it a focused, downward-draining character in traditional formulas.

Key Selling Points

• Whole dried mole cricket (Gryllotalpa orientalis)
• Traditional animal-derived herbal material
• Fully dried, selected whole bodies
• 500g pre-packaged bulk supply
• Classical TCM diuretic herb identity

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is carefully dried to preserve the whole-body form, with a uniform dark brown to greyish-brown color and a dry, firm, slightly brittle texture. The dried bodies carry a mild, earthy, faintly marine aroma characteristic of animal-derived herbal materials. When decocted, they yield a light, subtly salty infusion with a mild earthy note, typically combined with other herbs in traditional formulas rather than used alone.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoction formulas
• Herbal material for TCM practitioners
• Bulk supply for herbal dispensaries
• Traditional formula ingredient
• Herbal material for further processing

Traditional Uses

In classical Chinese materia medica, Lou Gu is recorded as a water-draining, diuretic herb used in decoctions alongside other traditional ingredients. Folk practice places it in compound formulas rather than daily teas, and it is not a common culinary ingredient. It has traditionally been paired with herbs such as Fu Ling, Ze Xie, and Che Qian Zi in water-regulating formulas, and is generally prepared by decoction under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner.

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