According to "Zhenguan dignitaries", in the second year of Zhenguan, there was a drought in Beijing and the locust plague rose. When Emperor Taizong entered the garden to watch the grain, he saw locusts and attacked Du Du. He cursed, "People eat grain, and eating it will harm the people." The people have, but if I give it to a person, it will be spiritual, but it will erode my heart and do no harm to the people. Swallow it and protest, saying, "I'm afraid it will become a disease." Emperor Taizong said, "What do you want to avoid? "Then swallow it. Naturally, locusts are no longer a disaster. Translate this passage into the present vernacular: in the second year of Zhenguan, there was a drought in Chang 'an, the capital, and locusts were everywhere. When Emperor Taizong went into the garden to see the grain (lost), he saw locusts (on the seedlings) and caught a few curses: "The people regard grain as their own lives, and if you eat it, it will harm the people. The people are guilty, and all the crimes are on me. If you are really energetic, eat my heart and stop hurting the people. " Will be swallowed up. People around me advised, "I'm afraid you'll get sick if you eat it!" " Can't eat! "Taizong said," I really hope it will transfer the disaster to me alone! Why do you want to escape the disease? " (Say that finish) Swallow it immediately. From then on, locusts no longer raged.
In China's Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine, locusts are recorded as medicinal materials-
Locust: Chinese herbal medicine name. This product belongs to ORTHOPTERA Acridoidea of Insecta, and the whole locust is used as medicine. Locusts are both medicinal and edible insects and lay eggs.