Research on treatment of insects

Use insects to treat illnesses! Recently, more than 200 traditional scientists and medical practitioners participated in this seminar held in Hanoi. There will be an in-depth study on the use of insect treatment, lasting for 5 years (2008-2013).

On January 6, Mr. Dinh Thanh Ha, Military Institute of Traditional Medicine, Member of the Organizing Committee of the Conference of "Insects in Traditional Medicine (for the first time)" said that there were more than 200 medical doctors, Northern region scientists, lecturers, university lecturers participated in the workshop and contributed many valuable ideas.

The above workshop recently took place in Hanoi with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Cordyceps Asaria sp.(Photo: Dr. Dai Huy Ban)

According to Mr. Ha, this is the first time scientists specializing in insects who understand the insect's biological mechanism but do not fully understand the value of insect medicine - have sat down with the medical staff. traditional - those who understand insect medicine's value but do not understand the biological laws of insects. Thus, between these two researches, there is an opportunity to supplement each other's knowledge to find ways to promote the application of insects in medicine.

At the above workshop, Dr. Le Xuan Hue (Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources) published initial studies on scorpionoides in Vietnam.

Experience folk using scorpions to drink alcohol to enhance health or massage aches, bruises. Scorpions coordinate geology, licorice will cure headaches, headaches are very good. Scorpions are abundant in the southern provinces of Vietnam.

Research shows that scorpions and scorpion venom include total protein and sub-components that work on cell membranes, neuronal membranes, factors that enhance or reduce blood clotting .

Another study belongs to BS. Tran Thi Hong Thuy (Institute of Traditional Medicine of the Army) with a longevity (Pheretima asiatica Michaelsen) - folk called earthworms. Through testing the toxicity of the land on white mice, Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thuy found a long-lasting pharmacological effect of long-term treatment of hypertension. Since then, the study of the therapeutic effect of geothermal in patients with mild and moderate hypertension does not cause side effects.

Notably, Dr. Dai Huy Ban and his colleagues Tran Dinh Toai, Luu Tham Muu (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) published a study on a Cordyceps Asaria sp.

According to the study, Asaria sp Cordyceps has 17 amino acids, in which, aspartic and glumatic have very high content. For a long time, Cordyceps is considered a tonic like ginseng that in the past, only kings were used. Currently, medical research shows that cordyceps has a nutritious effect, curing tuberculosis, bronchitis, improving the immune system, stabilizing blood pressure and increasing sexuality.

Geography of Pheretima robusta
(Photo: Dr. Tran Thi Hong Thuy)

In addition, at the seminar, there are many other studies on ants, deep chisels, tomato stalks, termite . used to treat traditional medicine.

Still according to Mr. Dinh Thanh Ha, the issues raised in the workshop aimed at a research program on insects in traditional medicine, which have not been studied systematically.

The formation of this program will gather a research force in different units, in a short time to significantly improve the conservation, development and rational exploitation of insect resources. in our country to serve the protection of public health - Mr. Dinh Thanh Ha said.

Since then, it will set up a scientific research proposal 'Insect conservation, exploitation and development in traditional medicine' , a State-level project awaiting approval. The project was started by the Institute of Traditional Medicine and Military Institute and many institutes and schools from 2008 - 2013.

To further serve research and application, an ecologically-cultivated, insect-researched area will be established in Ba Vi and Son Tay in 2008.

Currently, facilities, manpower and methods for implementing these plans are available.

The new Cordyceps specimen was discovered in Tuyen Quang in March 2007 (Photo: Đ.H. Ban)

Vinh Giang