vParts Most Frequently Used: Hornet’s Nest. Hornet’s  Larvae – Raw, Cooked, or Fried.

Flavors/Temps: Slightly Sweet, Neutral, Mildly Toxic

Caution: Due to slight toxicity, improper dosing and preparation can lead to poisoning with early stage signs such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, facial swelling, limbs and back pain. Large doses can cause nephritis. Not recommended where skin sores have already burst.

Key Constituents: Mainly a toxic volatile “Honeycomb oil”: Beeswax, Resin, Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Inorganic salts, Calcium, Iron, Protein

History/Folklore: In China, the history of using hornet’s nests as a medicine dates back to the first herbal monogram book, the Sheng Nong Ben Cao (Agricultural God’s Canon of Materia Medica).

The nests are collected in the autumn and winter, then dried in the sun, or slightly steamed to remove the dead wasps and nest eggs and then dried in the sun.

Several varieties of hornet’s nests are used to make medicines, with the most common species being Polistes mandarainus, P. olivaceus, P. japonicus, or Parapolybia varia Fabricius.

Do not confuse hornet’s nest with the popular herb “oak galls”. Oak galls are formed on many species of oak trees and are caused by the chemicals injected by gall wasps (in the family Cynipidea) into the barks of the oak trees. They are about 2-4 centimeters in diameter and are typically used to promote vaginal health in women.

Some Chinese doctors claim that the antibacterial effects of hornet’s nest is even better than penicillin.

Hornet’s nest is known for shortening blood coagulation time.

The Chinese have successfully used hornet’s nest in treating various cancers, including breast cancer. It continues to be studied to understand the underlying mechanisms that contribute to its effectiveness in treating cancers. The herb is known in China for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor and anesthetic properties. The Chinese have successfully used Nidus Vespae for thousands of years to treat malignant tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, lung diseases, skin disorders, urinary disorders and dental diseases.

The recommended honeycomb dosage is typically 5-10g in decoction and 2-5 g in powder form. 3g of dry-fried hornet’s nest in wine taken 4x a day for 3 days can help cure mastitis with no toxic side effects noted. This approach is not recommended for suppurative mastitis.

High quality is greyish-white, lightweight, elastic, and will have long, small holes.

Wasps prey on insects such as caterpillars, flies, crickets, and other small insects. In the late summer and fall, their diets shift to a preference for sweet flavors. This is why you will find them attracted to your soda drinks while on picnics or eating outside at this time of year.

In Native American cultures, wasps, hornets, and yellowjackets are associated with the energy of female warriors. They symbolize sisterhood, compassion, power with humility, and the power of duality. They signify harmonizing life and death, yin and yang, and making life-affirming transformations. They are comfortable in groups but can also stand alone. Wasp people are independent thinkers. They are said to be the holders of the secrets of sacred geometry as they always build six-sided nests

In some cultures, hornet larvae are a food source, providing protein and minerals. High in protein, calcium, and magnesium, they can help counter malnutrition. Considered a delicacy, they are said to taste rich, meaty, and almost shrimp-like (or like sweet mussels) when cooked. Raw larvae are said to be gamey or like clotted cream or salmon row. And if they are fire-roasted, they are said to have a nutty and smoky flavor.

In the garden, hornets are one of mother nature’s pest controllers. Among other pests, they are known for eating aphids. Interestingly, they have been noted to fly right by humans if they recognize to sting an invader to their nest.