Poisonous bugs including scorpions and centipedes not only kill but also heal at the hand of 92-year-old Zhu Liangchun, who was named a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) master on Friday.

Along with the Nantong-based veteran TCM doctor, who still treats patients, some 29 others, most of whom are older than 80, were also granted the honorary title by the Chinese government.

"I've been with the TCM for almost 70 years and feel glad to be part of the awards today, the first ever in China to honor TCM doctors at state level," he said on Friday at the awards ceremony in Beijing.