15 Insects You Can
Use To Cure Wounds And Diseases
Bear Grylls got
nothing on this list
If you’re ever
stuck in a remote jungle, bleeding profusely, coughing uncontrollably, with a
severe case of syphilis, this article may save your life. At the very least, it’ll give you something
cool to talk about at your next dinner party.
1. Blow Fly Larvae to Treat Wounds and Infectious Bone Disease
When the
blow fly lands in an open gash, it does what all flies do – it lays
maggots. But these maggots are special; they secrete a curative chemical known
as allantoin. Today’s doctors use allantoin (extracted from blow fly maggots)
to treat osteomyelitis... kind of gross, but effective.
Source
2. Maggot Therapy
Some
doctors, however, don’t even bother extracting the allantoin. Instead, they
insert maggots directly into the open cut in a process known as maggot
debridement therapy (MDT). As the maggots squirm they eat infection-causing
bacteria and dead tissue.
Source/ Source
3. Bee Venom Therapy
Pat Wagner
gets stung 200 times a week.
Intentionally. Even though she
may seem like a nutcase, her reasoning is sound; bee venom (which is rich in
enzymes, peptides, glucocorticoids and other curative components) has been
proven to help with everything from rheumatoid arthritis to Multiple Sclerosis.
Source / Source / Source
4. Ant Venom to Treat Arthritis
Interesting
fact #1: ant bites contain traces of venom.
Interesting fact #2: ant venom reduces swelling and eases joint pains. “Treatment” used to mean haphazardly stepping
on a colony, but modern doctors are harnessing the venom and using it as an
alternative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
Source / Source / Source
5. Green Tree Ants used as Medicine by Australia Aborigines 
Ironically, green ants make for a mean tea... one that gets rid of headaches
and colds, or can be used to clean wounds.
And yes, the aborigines really drank concoctions made from the crushed
carcasses of these ants. Strangely, the
ant brew has about the same gustatory quality as actual green tea.
Source / Source
6. Army Ants Used for Wound Sutures
In the jungles
of South America and Africa, some natives use army ants to close open wounds.
After the ant bites into the flesh, they rip off the body so the head acts a
biological “staple”. And just look at
those jowls! Hard to picture them having
any use besides biting into living flesh.
Source / Source
7. Cobwebs Used for Wound Dressing
Clean
cobwebs have been used as a make-shift bandage since the Middle Ages. Just keep an eye for any poisonous
inhabitants before ripping apart their home.
There is even talk of using manufactured spider silk for ligament
replacement and bone grafting.
Source / Source
8. The Power full Cantharidin from Blister Beetles
It’s only a myth that
frogs give you warts, but it’s a verified fact that certain beetles can get rid
of them. The secret ingredient, if you
want to call it that, is cantharidin – an oil that forms blisters on the
skin. When ingested, cantharides are
ridiculously poisonous (as little as 10 mg can kill you) so using it to cure
mouth warts (or as an aphrodisiac a la Spanish Fly) is not recommended.
Source
9. Cockroaches Brain Could Be Used As Antibiotics
Cockroach
brains contain a powerful antibiotic that can obliterate E.coli and MRSA
infections. But you have to eat or drink them.
The doctors may have to change the name (rochie pills?) if they expect
patients to buy in.
Source / Source
10. Curing Syphilis with Malaria Mosquito Stings
Malaria can
kill you, but syphilis kills you worse. At least, that’s the reasoning to
giving syphilis patients bits from malarial mosquitoes. The malaria feeds on
the syphilis, leaving the patient healthy... if the antimalarial agent kicks in
fast enough to keep the patient alive.
Source
11. Caterpillar Fungus - An Ancient Chinese Medicine
Caterpillar
fungus gained popularity after National Games winning runners claimed a fungus
tonic helped by relieving stress.
Chinese doctors also believe it can spike energy levels, cure various
diseases and jack up sexual drive. Who
knows? Take enough caterpillar fungus pills and you may turn into a sex hungry
deviant with the energy of 3 men and the overall health of Greek god.
Source / Source /Source
12. Cochineal Beetle Cough Remedy
Cochineal
beetles are one of the ugliest insects on the face of the planet (see above).
However, a couple of handfuls of them – when doused in alcohol and drank - make
for a great cure to whooping cough, urinary tract infection and asthma.
Source
13. Cicadas Used As Diuretics
Cicadas ate the biblical Egyptians out of house and home. Somewhere along
the line, humans got hip and starting eating the cicadas instead... leading to
the discovery that they can cure urinary tract infections. All across the land, the people finally
rejoiced that it no longer burned when they eliminated fluids.
Source / Source
14. Silk Moth to Treat Heart Disease
Silkworms
are good for more than cloud soft dress items; they’re also a source of a
curious biochemical known as Serratia E15.
For silkworms, Serratia E15 helps them transition from slithering
abominations into semi-graceful moths by dissolving their cocoons. For men, it helps prevent heart disease
through some undocumented process.
Source
15. Insects as Food Supplements
If you’re not a big fan of
Brussels sprouts or broccoli, insects are definitely the way to go. They’re
rich in vitamins and nutrients. Plus,
until you’ve experience the crunch of a roasted termite (iron) or the squish of
silkworm moth larvae (copper, iron, thiamine, zinc, riboflavin) you simply
haven’t lived!
Source
More Cool Articles: Handling Insect and Snake Bites
First Aid Treatment For Insect Bites and Stings
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