Gecko is the dried body of the gecko with internal organs removed. It is said in ancient texts that this creature "calls itself Gecko at dawn and dusk," hence the name. It is often captured in summer, with internal organs removed, eyes cut open to release fluid, stretched open with bamboo sticks to flatten and straighten the entire body, and then dried for preservation.
I. Efficacy of Gecko:
Gecko tastes salty, neutral. It belongs to the lung and kidney meridians. Its effects canTonifying the lung and kidney, promoting qi reception to relieve asthma, and strengthening yang and essenceIts characteristic is to tonify both the lung and kidney, and it can also relieve cough and asthma, especially effective in treating chronic cough and asthmatic breathing due to kidney failing to receive qi. It is known as the essential herb for tonifying both the lung and kidney.
Commonly used indeficiency panting and shortness of breath, consumptive cough and coughing of blood, impotence and seminal emissiontreatment of conditions such as
Abstracts of Famous Works by Renowned Authors:
Haizang Materia Medica: "Treats fractures, addresses lung atrophy with upward qi, hemoptysis, and cough."
Kai Bao Ben Cao: "Treats chronic cough, pulmonary tuberculosis, and transmission of consumption."
Compendium of Materia Medica: "Tonifies lung qi, benefits essence and blood, relieves wheezing and stops coughing, treats lung atrophy, quenches thirst, and aids yang function."
"Ben Cao Jing Shu": "Gecko, its main use is for chronic lung tuberculosis cough and dribbling urination, all of which are diseases of the lung and kidney. When exhaustion reaches its extreme, the lung and kidney become deficient and generate heat, thus external pathogens easily invade, and internal symptoms concurrently arise. Gecko belongs to yin, capable of replenishing the upper source of water, thereby nourishing both the lung and kidney, and thus eliminating consumptive heat and cough. The lung governs all vessels, regulates the water passages, and sends them down to the bladder; when lung qi is clear, the water passages naturally become unobstructed, hence dribbling urination is relieved."
Jade Carving Medical Explanation: Gecko collects and descends lung qi, dredges the water organ, treats asthma, cough, and hemoptysis, eliminates thirst, strangury, and dribbling urination, unblocks menstruation and promotes blood circulation, revives impotence and strengthens yang, as well as treats diseases of deficiency and emaciation.
Ben Cao Bei Yao: "Tonifies the lung and moistens the kidney, boosts essence and supports yang. Treats thirst and relieves strangury, calms panting and stops cough. Suitable for lung atrophy with hemoptysis, and cases of qi deficiency and blood exhaustion."
II. Compatibility and Application of Gecko:
1. For lung deficiency cough, kidney deficiency asthma, consumptive disease cough and asthma, etc. Gecko can tonify the lung and kidney, relieve asthma and stop cough, especially good at treating asthma and cough due to kidney failing to receive qi, making it an essential medicine. It is often combined with ginseng, almond, fritillaria, etc., namelyRenshen Gejie Powder。
If treating consumptive cough and lung congestion with upward qi, it is often combined with Fritillaria, Aster, Apricot Kernel, Turtle Shell, Gleditsia Seed, and Mulberry Root Bark, namelyGecko Pill。
In the treatment of persistent deficiency-type wheezing that does not heal over time and manifests as the kidney failing to receive qi, it is often combined with red ginseng, glehnia root, human placenta, ophiopogon root, and tangerine peel, ground into powder for oral administration.Shen Ge San。
2. For impotence. Gecko also has the effect of warming the kidneys and replenishing essence. It is used to treat deficiency of kidney yang and depletion of essence and blood. It can be taken alone by soaking in wine, namelyGecko WineWhen combined with kidney-warming and yang-supporting herbs such as ginseng, deer antler, and epimedium, it can enhance the therapeutic effect.
If treating impotence and seminal emission caused by kidney yang deficiency, Gecko is often combined with Rehmannia glutinosa, Cuscuta chinensis, Rosa laevigata, Morinda officinalis, and Cistanche deserticola, that isKidney Tonifying PillTogether, they warm the kidneys and support yang, invigorate yang to treat impotence, and secure the lower origin. This formula is a warming and tonifying agent; it is not suitable for those with a red tongue and yellow coating, damp-heat in the lower jiao, or intense ministerial fire.
For treating impotence, it can be combined with centipede, epimedium, angelica, red peony, and licorice, ground into powder and taken orally, which is an effective formula.Qi Yang Kang Wei San。
In addition, the combination of Gecko and Yupingfeng San can enhance the body's immunity, resist aging, and also has therapeutic effects on chronic respiratory diseases, making it suitable for elderly individuals with physical weakness or those accompanied by asthma and cough.
Li Shizhen said: "In the past, people said that tonics can eliminate weakness, such as ginseng and mutton. Gecko tonifies lung qi, relieves asthma and quenches thirst, with the same efficacy as ginseng; it benefits qi, regulates blood, aids essence, and supports emaciation, with the same efficacy as mutton."
III. Usage and Dosage of Gecko:
Gecko can be used in decoctions but is more suitable for making pills or powders. The usual dosage in decoctions is a few grams; when taken as powder, the dosage is slightly over a gram per serving.
Gecko is used in medicine, with the tail being the most potent part.Therefore, those without tails are not used.Remove the head, feet, and scales before use. Soak in yellow wine until thoroughly saturated, then dry and grind into powder for use in pills or powders. Its efficacy diminishes when used in decoctions. If only the tail is used, the medicinal potency is stronger.
Huang Yuanyu said, "The venom is in the head and feet, the strength is in the tail. If the tail is worm-eaten, it is not suitable for use."
Wang Ang said: The potency of the medicine lies in the tail, so when using it, remove the head and feet. Its toxicity is in the eyes, so the eyes must be removed. Wash away the impurities inside the scales and the flesh hairs, then use after roasting with butter or honey, or after soaking in wine and baking.
IV. Application Notes for Gecko:
Gecko is a warming and tonifying product, soPatients with external wind-cold or excess heat with panting and cough should avoid taking it。
Its odor is quite fishy and easily induces nausea, so it is more suitable for use in pill or powder form.
Ben Cao Jing Shu: "Cough caused by external wind-cold pathogens should not be used."
"Depei Bencao": "Contraindicated in cases of yin deficiency with fire hyperactivity, and wind evil causing cough and panting."
