[CHA] Notes on properties of Shells in TCM

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

 

I saw a show on TV last week, which explored the declining populations of native

species in Cambodia for use in traditional medicines. It was very disheartening

to see the direct connection between local population decline there for certain

species of snakes and turtles, and the substances derived from them that I use

in treating my patients. While these species are not in danger of worldwide

extinction, their numbers are dwindling in particular areas of their range of

distribution. This is how extinction begins. My first college degree was in

environmental science... so I really get it that our actions have worldwide

implications. So, my question in response to this information below, is what

can we use to substitute for the wonderful properties of these shells,

particularly the turtles?

 

 

 

 

< wrote:

Hi All,

 

Here are my notes on the SHELLS in TCM/CM.

 

MAIN HB CLASSIFICATIONS:

The animal shells (Biejia, Guiban) are “Tonic~Build Yin Hbs”.

 

Most mollusc shells [Muli, Shijueming, Zhenzhu, Zhenzhumu,

Zibeichi] are “Calm LV Yang Hbs”, except Haigeke & Walengzi,

which are “Clear Phlegm+Ease Cough/Calm Asthma~Clear Phlegm

Hbs”.

 

Please feedback any serious errors that you find here.

 

 

Best regards,

Phil

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

_Hb Pinyin Name

_Hb Common Name

_Hb Latin Name

_Main Hb Class

_Nature

_Channels

_Dose

_Main Actions

_Combinations & Uses

_Cautions

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Biejia

Turtle Shell

Amydae/Trionycis Sinensis Carapax

Tonic~Build Yin

Salty; Cool

LV; KI

As Soup: 9-30g (decocted first); when used w other Hbs decoct

Biejia first

(1) Tonic/Restorative~Build Yin; Calm Yang; Clear Heat; Antifever;

(2) Soften Hardness in lumps~hard; Reduce Swelling; Reduce

Masses;: abdomen~mass; LV~enlarged; SP~enlarged. It contains

colloid, keratin, iodine & vitamin D. It may inhibit Hyperplasia of

connective tissue & Boost Fx of plasma proteins; (3) Also:

Antifatigue/Antiexhaustion; LV-Protector; Build LV Yin;

Immunostimulant; Antihypoxia (Boost Hypoxic Tolerance);

Anticancer

(1) Steamed Biejia is better to Build Yin/Calm Yang; Biejia w

Shengdihuang, Digupi, Zhimu, Qinghao, Qinjiao, Mudanpi &

Shanzhuyu etc in Yin Xu w Xu Fire Shi/Xue Heat/Xu Heat,

fever~hectic/fever~high at night & subsided in morning & Febrile

Disease~late stage w Yin Fluid Consumed & fever~lingering &

sweat~night, tongue~red & tongue~dry wo coat/infantile

malnutrition w fever; etc; Yin Xu w Heat/Fire Shi & convulsion; Xue

Heat~late stage w Heat Attack lingering on Yingfen & fever~night;

TB w fever, esp fever~hectic* & sweat~night; Xu w Wind Rising

(Wind~Internal) w fever~hectic*/fever~tidal & sweat~night; (2)

Cubiejia (vinegared) is better to Soften Hardness in

lumps~hard/Hard Masses; malaria~chronic, malaria w

SP~enlarged/splenomegaly, amenorrhoea & abdomen~mass, etc;

CI: Pregnancy; Caution in Xu & Cold of SJM-SP-ST/w

appetite~poor & diarrhoea

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Guiban; Guibanjia ??? (???); Guijia ?? (??); (See: Cuguijia)

Tortise Shell

Testudinis/Chinemys Carapax+Plastrum

Tonic~Build Yin

Salty; Sour; Sweet; Cool

LV; KI; HT

As Soup: 9-30g; Build Yin; boil before other Hbs are thrown in;

Calcined Hb is used in pills/powder

(1) Tonic/Restorative~Build Yin; Calm Yang; Ease Spasm: (2) Aid

KI; Build KI; Build KI Yin; Build Bone+Sinew/Tendon & Muscle;

Boost growth/bone & cartilage in infants; Sexual Hormone Agonist;

(3) Oxytocic & Uterus~Tonic; Emmenagogue; Haemostat; Rectify

Menstruation; (4) Calm Shen; Build HT; Build Xue; (5) Also:

Strengthen Channels; Antihypoxia (Boost Hypoxic Tolerance);

Antiarteriosclerotic; Hypolipaemic; Immunostimulant;

Bacteriostat~B tuberculosis hominis; Boost Metabolism; Anticancer

(1) Guiban w Huangbai, Zhimu, Shudihuang, etc in Yin Xu w Fire

Shi w fever~hectic, sweat~night, emission~night, vertigo & tinnitus;

also Yin Xu Fever w Fluid Consumed/TB & sweat~night; Guiban w

Tianmendong, Xuanshen, Longgu, Muli, etc in Yin Xu & Yang Shi w

vertigo & Eyesight~blurred; Guiban w Baishao, Maimendong,

Shengdihuang, etc in fever w Yin Xu Heat w muscle spasm &

contracture of hand & foot/ Yin Xu w Wind Shi w convulsion; (2)

Guiban w Hugu, Shudihuang, Baishao, etc in LV Xu & KI Yin Xu w

of lowback & waist weak/flaccid, limbs~lower & feet weak/flaccid,

Bone & Sinew weak, bone + muscle stiff, delayed ability of

standing & walking, delayed growth of teeth & delayed closure of

fontanel in infants; infantile metopism, etc; (3) Guiban w Baishao,

Huangbai, Chunpi, Xiangfu, etc in Yin Xu w Xue Heat w

menorrhagia, metrorrhagia/metrostaxis, leucorrhoea/leukorrhagia,

etc; Guiban w Yimucao & Niuxi for oxytocic effect in uterus~atony,

parturition delayed, dystocia; (4) Guiban w equal amounts of

Longgu, , Shichangpu & Yuanzhi (grind to powder & make pills w

water; 3g of pills/time, tid) in Shen Disturbed (mental DysFx) w

HT~palpitation, memory~loss, insomnia, etc;

CI: Pregnancy

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Haigeke; Haigeqiao; Geqiao ??; Geke ??; Gekefen ???; Haiheke

Sea Clamshell Powder/Clam shell

Meretricis/Cyclinae Sinensis Concha Pulv

Clear Phlegm+Ease Cough/Calm Asthma~Clear Phlegm

Bitter; salty; cold-Cool

LU*; ST*; KI

As Soup: 9-15g powder (crushed) in strainer-bag; discard residue;

As Powder: 1-3g bid/tid

(1) Clear Heat; Clear Phlegm~Cool Hb; Clear Phlegm-Heat; Clear

LU Heat; Ease Cough/Calm Asthma in Phlegm Heat; Expectorant;

(2) Dissolve Phlegm~stubborn; Soften Hardness in lumps~hard; ;

Reduce nodules; Reduce Masses; Reduce Swelling: subcutaneous

nodule, scrofula & goitre; (3) Diuretic; Antioedema: (4) ST~Antacid;

Ease Pain; (5) Vulnerary; Heal Wound; Immunostimulant;

Antiinflammation; Anticancer

(1) Haigeqiao+Haifushi, Baiqian, Sangbaipi, Zhizi, Gualou in

Phlegm Heat w asthma, chest~pain & hypochondriac pain, cough

sputum~thick yellow; cough in LU Heat w thick & sputum~profuse

& dyspnoea; Haigeke w Baiji, Pipaye, etc as oral powder in LU

Heat w LU Bleeding; haemoptysis; (2) Haigeke, Haizao+Kunbu,

Walengzi, Jiangcan, etc in scrofula, TB, subcutaneous nodule &

goitre; tumor; Lymphadenitis; lymph nodules; As Soup in swelling

& pain of testis; (3) Haigeqiao w Fuling, Cheqianzi, Dahuang,

Mutong, etc in Fluid Retention w oedema; dysuria; (4) Haigeke +

another shell (Muli, Shijueming, Zhenzhumu, Duanwalengzi),

Haipiaoxiao, Laifuzi, Tanxiang, Wuzhuyu, Xiangfu in ST~pain/ache

& acid reflux; Haigeke w Baiji, etc in ST Bleeding; haematemesis,

ST~ulcer/SI~duodenal ulcer; (5) Haigeqiao w Zhenzhu/Muli,

Jixuecao, Baishao (/Moyao, Ruxiang), as Topical in

wound~indolent & skin ulcer; Haigeke w Pig LV & Gujingcao in

nebula after measles

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Muli; (See: Duanmuli)

Oyster Shell

Ostreae Gigas/Talienwhanensis/Rivularis Concha Pulv; Ostraeae

Cucullatae Concha/Testa

Calm LV Yang

Salty; Astringe; Cool

LV; KI

As Soup: 15-30g (crushed & decocted first); Powder: 2-3g tid;

Topical: qs

(1) Calm LV~Calm Wind~Internal; Expel LV Wind; Expel Wind;

Aid Yin; Calm Yang; Calm LV Yang; Build HT; Calm HT; Calm

Shen~Heavy Settler; Reduce excitement; Ease mental instability;

Astringe; (2) like other salty materials, Soften Hardness in

lumps~hard, Reduce Nodules; Reduce Masses, Reduce Swelling;

Resolve Stasis; Resolve Accumulation; Disperse Congestion; (3)

Build KI; Astringe KI; Guard Jing; (4) ST~Antacid; Rectify acid

secretion; Ease Pain, esp ST~pain; (5) Asringe Wound/ulcer;

Antivirus~poliovirus; Immunostimulant; Antifever; Boost

Contraction; Anticancer

(1) Muli w Shijueming, Baishao & Shengdihuang, Nuzhenzi, Juhua,

Niuxi, etc in Yin Xu /LV Yin Xu w LV Yang Shi w vertigo, headache,

tinnitus, Shen Disturbed, irritability & insomnia; excitement; mental

instability; Muli w other Calm Shen Hbs like Yejiaoteng, Longgu,

Suanzaoren, Yuanzhi, etc in LV Yin Xu, Mind Disturbed w

HT~palpitation, fear, terror, vexation, insomnia, etc; LV Yang

Rising/LV Yang Shi w LV Wind Rising w convulsion; Febrile

Disease w Yin Consumed; Muli + Longchi, Taoren, Chenpi +

Huanglian Ejiao Tang wo Huangqin in insomnia in Yin Xu & Yang

Shi, w vertigo, headaches, palpatation, letargy, face~pallor/sallow,

appetite~poor, mouth dry, sometime urine is dark w faeces~dry,

tongue red/light pink wo coat, pulse is stringy & fast/small &

fast/floating/slippery; Muli + Longgu, Baishao, Baiwei, Juhua,

Gouteng, Xuanshen, etc in LV Yin Xu & Yang Floating of Xu-type w

vertigo, Eyesight~blurred, vexation, mania in terror, etc; Muli w

Daizheshi, Longgu, Niuxi, Xuanshen in hypertension in LV Yang

Shi & headache in spasm of cerebral blood vessels; Muli w Guiban,

Tianmendong, Xuanshen, Longgu, etc in Yin Xu & Yang Shi w

vertigo & Eyesight~blurred; Guiban w Baishao, Maimendong,

Shengdihuang, etc in fever w Yin Xu Heat w muscle spasm &

contracture of hand & foot/ Yin Xu w Wind Shi w convulsion; Muli w

Shanzhuyu, Dangshen, Longgu, etc in collapse after

sweat~profuse/after chronic disease; Muli w Longgu, Mahuang &

Shengdihuang in sweat~night; Muli w Mahuang as Topical powder

in sweat~postpartum; (2) Muli w Beimu & Xuanshen (Resolve

Scrofula Pill) in Heat/Heat Toxin/Phlegm Fire w Carbuncle;

Swelling, dermatitis, skin infection, LU abscess,

nodule~subcutaneous, masses/lumps~hard, swelling, scrofula &

goitre; (3) Muli w Longgu, Rz/Rx Dioscoreae, Haipiaoxiao, Fuling,

etc in KI Xu w enuresis, spermatorrhoea, emission, leucorrhoea,

menorrhagia; metrorrhagia, sweat~spontaneous & sweat~night;

Muli w Dangshen, Longgu, Sangpiaoxiao, etc in KI Qi Xu /KI Yang

Xu w urination~frequent & enuresis, esp infantile enuresis,

leukorrhagia; (4) Muli w Baiji in peptic ulcer w ST~pain; ST~Acid

Reflux; Muli + another shell (Haigeke, Shijueming, Zhenzhumu,

Duanwalengzi), Haipiaoxiao, Laifuzi, Tanxiang, Wuzhuyu, Xiangfu

in ST~pain/ache & acid reflux; Haigeke w Baiji, etc in ST Bleeding;

haematemesis, ST~ulcer/SI~duodenal ulcer; (5) Muli w

Zhenzhu/Haigeqiao, Jixuecao, Baishao (/Moyao, Ruxiang), as

Topical in wound~indolent & skin ulcer;

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Shijueming

Haliotis Shell Powder, Sea-Ear Shell Powder, Abalone Shell Powder

Haliotidis Concha Pulv, Haliotidis Diversicoloris/Giganteae Concha

Pulv

Calm LV Yang

Salty; Cold; Mild

LV

As Soup: 3-30g crushed & decocted first; Powder: 2-3g bid/tid;

Topical: qs

(1) Calm LV; Calm Yang; Calm LV Yang, Aid Yin; (2) Clear LV

Heat; Clear LV Fire to Aid Eyes/Sight; Clear Nebula; Calm

LV~Calm Wind~Internal; Expel Wind; Expel LV Wind; Ease

Spasm; Spasmolytic; (3) ST~Antacid; Ease Pain; Haemostat:

ST~pain/ache & reflux;

(1) Shijueming w Muli, Baishao, Shengdihuang, Nuzhenzi, Juhua,

Niuxi, Gouteng, etc Yin Xu /LV Yin Xu w LV Yang Shi, causing LV

Yang Rising w headache, vertigo, tinnitus, vexation, irritability &

insomnia; Shijueming w Xiakucao, Juhua, Huangqin, etc in LV

Yang Shi/LV Yang Rising (hypertension) w arteriosclerosis,

hypertension, headache, irritability, restlessness, fidget, eyes red,

mouth~Bitter taste, etc & face flushed & tongue~red w

coat~yellow; ; Shijueming w Daizheshi, Xiakucao, Niuxi, etc LV

Yang Shi, headache & vertigo; Shijueming w Muli, Baishao &

Shengdihuang, Nuzhenzi, Juhua, Niuxi, etc in Yin Xu /LV Yin Xu w

LV Yang Shi w vertigo, headache, tinnitus, Shen Disturbed,

irritability & insomnia; excitement; mental instability; Shijueming w

Yejuhua, Mudanpi, Rendongteng, etc in hypertension &

arteriosclerosis; (2) Shijueming w Yejuhua, Xiakucao, Huangqin,

etc in LV Yang Shi/LV Fire Rising w restlessness; insomnia;

Shijueming w Clear LV Heat Hbs, like Longdancao, Lihui, Gouteng,

etc in LV Heat w LV Wind Rising w fever~high & persistent,

convulsion, etc; Shijueming w Juhua, Gujincao, Shetui, Xiakucao &

Juemingzi, Cangzhu etc in LV Fire/Heat w conjunctivitis; night

blindness, nebula*, cataract*, optic atrophy; Another method in

optic atrophy is to put Shijueming powder into sheep LV, bind LV w

thread, cook LV in a clay pot & eat LV every day (10g/time);

Shijueming w Gouqizi & Tusizi in LV Xu w eyesight~blurred;

Shijueming as Topical ointment in nebula; (3) Shijueming + another

shell (Haigeke, Muli, Zhenzhumu, Duanwalengzi), Haipiaoxiao,

Laifuzi, Tanxiang, Wuzhuyu, Xiangfu in ST~pain/ache & acid reflux;

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Walengzi; ??Walongzi; (See: Duanwalengzi)

Ark Shell

Arcae Inflatae/Subcrenatae/Granosae Concha Pulv

Clear Phlegm+Ease Cough/Calm Asthma~Clear Phlegm

Sweet; Salty; Mild

LU; ST; LV; SP

As Soup: 9-30g (crushed before decocting); Powder: 3-6g bid/tid

(1) Clear Phlegm+Ease Cough/Calm Asthma;; Move Xue Stasis,

Soften Hardness in lumps~hard; Resolve Nodules: (2) ST~Antacid;

Ease Pain; (3) Topical; Other Uses

(1) Walengzi w Haizao+Kunbu, Haigeke, Jiangcan, in Phlegm

Stasis/Xue Stasis w lumps~hard; nodules~subcutaneous,

Lymphadenitis, lymph nodules, abdomen~mass; scrofula, TB,

goitre, tumor, etc; As Soup in swelling & pain of testis; (2)

Walengzi (Duanwalengzi is better) 20g/d w Baihe (Zhi (honey

baked)) & Gancao (simmer till 300ml Take 100ml/time for 4 weeks)

/ Duanwalengzi + another shell (Haigeke, Muli, Shijueming,

Zhenzhumu, Duanwalengzi), Haipiaoxiao, Laifuzi, Tanxiang,

Wuzhuyu, Xiangfu in ST ulcer w Hyperchlorhydria, ST~pain/ache &

ST~acid reflux/emesis;

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Zhenzhu; Zhenzhufen ???; (See: Zhenzhumu)

Pearl Powder, Margarita

Margaritiferae Concha Pulv

Calm LV Yang

Sweet; salty; Cold

HT; LV

Avoid Soup; as pills/powder: 0.1-0.3g/dose; Topical: qs as

extremely fine powder by puffing to cover pharyngitis, dress ulcers;

for use in eye

(1) Calm LV; Expel Wind; Expel LV Wind; Expel Wind

Anticonvulsion; Calm Shen~Heavy Settler; Build HT; Calm HT;

Calm Fright; (2) Purge LV Heat; Expel Wind; Aid Eyes; Clear

Nebula; (3) Clear Toxin; Granulate ulcers~indolent;

(1) Zhenzhu alone/w other Calm Shen Hbs in epilepsy,

HT~palpitation in fright, acute febrile convulsion~infantile, etc;

Zhenzhu w honey in restlessness; panic; (2) Zhenzhu oral/topical

(eye drops) w other Aid Eyes Hbs in conjunctivitis, pterygium,

nebula; Astringe eye~pain; (3) Zhenzhu w Quicken Xue or

Vulnerary Hbs in unhealing ulcers

Avoid unless Fire Shi/Heat Stasis are present

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Zhenzhumu; (See: Zhenzhu);

Mother-Of-Pearl, Nacre

Margaritiferae/Hyriopsis/Pinctadae Martensii/Cumingii Concha Usta

Calm LV Yang

Sweet; Salty; Cold

LV; HT

As Soup: 15-30g (crushed; decocted first); Powder: 2-3g tid;

Topical: qs

(1) Calm LV; Calm Yang; Calm LV Yang; Aid Yin; Expel Wind;

Expel LV Wind; Anticonvulsion (2) Aid Yin; Clear LV Fire; Aid

Eyes/Sight; Clear Nebula/cataract; (3) Rectify ST~acid secretion;

ST~Antacid; Ease Pain; Haemostat; (4) Build HT; Calm HT; Calm

Fright; Calm Shen~Heavy Settler; Diuretic; (5) Deprive Damp;

Astringe; Heal Wounds; (6) Also: Reduce SI-LI tone;

(1) Zhenzhumu in Yin Xu w Yang Shi/LV Yang Shi w vertigo,

headache, tinnitus, irritability; (2) Zhenzhumu as Topical eye

ointment in LV Xu w LV Fire/LV Heat w conjunctivitis,

blindness~night, eyesight~blurred, Nebula/cataract,

keratoleukoma/ Zhenzhumu oral w Baishao, Nuzhenzi,

Mimenghua, etc in LV Xu; Zhenzhumu w Mimenghua, Chantui, etc

in nebula; Zhenzhumu w Huanglian & Luganshi in conjunctivitis,

blepharitis, photophobia, lacrimation, nebula & pterygium; (3)

Zhenzhumu Zhenzhumu + another shell (Muli, Shijueming,

Haigeke, Duanwalengzi), Haipiaoxiao, Laifuzi, Tanxiang, Wuzhuyu,

Xiangfu in ST~peptic ulcer w ST~pain/ache, ST~bleeding,

hyperchlorhydria, acid reflux, (4) Zhenzhumu w other Build HT &

Calm Shen Hbs + Build Yin Hbs in Yin Xu w LV Yang Shi, Shen

Disturbed, Fright; HT~palpitation, insomnia, memory~loss;

dementia, neurasthenia, mental retardation, oligophrenia~infantile;

Zhenzhumu w Huanglian, Zibeichi & Lingyangjiao in HT Disturbed &

Shen Disturbed w HT~Palpitation, irritability, insomnia,

sleep~dream-disturbed; fever~high w convulsion~infantile; (5)

Zhenzhumu as Topical in Wind/Damp/Damp Heat w skin lesions,

eczema, prurigo~exudative; Wounds; Zhenzhumu w ?? in

LV~hepatitis infectious; (6) Also: SI-LI~hypertonia;

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Zibeichi; Zibei ?? (??)

Arabic Cowrie Shell

Mauritiae Arabicae Concha, Cypraeae Concha

Calm LV Yang

Salty; neutral

LV

10-15g/d; Cook before other herbs

(1) Calm HT; Calm Shen; (2) Calm LV; Calm LV Yang; Clear LV

Heat; Calm Wind; Brighten Eyes;

(1) Zibeichi w Huanglian, Zhenzhumu & Lingyangjiao in HT

Disturbed & Shen Disturbed w HT~Palpitation, irritability, insomnia,

sleep~dream-disturbed; fever~high w convulsion~infantile; (2)

Zibeichi w Juhua, Sangye & Gouteng in LV Channel Wind & Heat w

eyes~red, swelling & pain/eyesight poor/obstructed; LV Yang Shi

w vertigo & headache;

 

Best regards,

 

Email: <

 

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