**Ants do have certain medicinal value**, but eating ants raw is not a widely recommended practice. Here is some information about the medicinal value of ants and why eating ants raw may not be a good idea： ### Medicinal value of ants 1. **Application of traditional Chinese medicine**: In traditional Chinese medicine, ants are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, insomnia and other diseases. Ants are believed to have the effects of nourishing kidney essence, activating menstruation, detoxifying and reducing swelling. 2. **Nutrients**: Ants are rich in protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, which are beneficial to human health. 3. **Biologically active substances**: Ants contain a variety of biologically active substances, such as formic acid, polypeptides, polysaccharides, etc. These substances may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and other effects. ### The risk of eating ants raw 1. **Parasites and pathogens**: Eating ants raw may pose a health risk because ants may carry parasites, bacteria, or other pathogens that may cause infection or disease to the human body. 2. **Digestive problems**: The exoskeleton of ants contains chitin, which is an indigestible substance that may cause indigestion or intestinal discomfort. 3. **Allergic reactions**: Some people may be allergic to ants or their secretions. Eating ants raw may cause allergic reactions. ### Suggestion If you are interested in the medicinal value of ants, it is recommended to take the following safer and more effective methods： 1. **Consult a professional doctor**: Before using any form of ants as a medicine, you should consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner or doctor to ensure safe and appropriate usage. 2. **Choose processed products**: There are some processed ant products on the market, such as ant powder, ant wine, etc. These products may be safer and easier to digest after treatment. 3. **Pay attention to hygiene**: If you do need to use ants, ensure that the source is reliable and take appropriate hygiene measures to reduce the risk of infection. In short, although ants have certain medicinal value, eating ants raw is not a recommended practice. For safety reasons, it is recommended to take advantage of the potential health benefits of ants through professional guidance and processed products.