典藏书目

Walongzi (Valva Valvina Shell)

Salty in flavor, warm in nature. Non-toxic. Grows in seawater; it is the shell of the blood clam (Anadara granosa). Its shape resembles a tiled roof, hence the name Walong. Those as large as a human fist possess superior efficacy, while those small as chestnuts have weaker effects. After being heated red-hot and quenched three times in strong vinegar, grind finely and sieve twice through fine silk gauze. It must be processed until fine as powder or frost before being incorporated into medicinal preparations. It eliminates blood masses in women with significant efficacy postpartum, and can resolve both zheng jia (abdominal masses); it expels phlegm accumulation in men with remarkable merit, driving out all types of accumulations. The meat inside the shell is cherished by the world. It is suitable for sobering up from alcohol and is also used to treat diseases. It governs cold qi in the heart and abdomen, and treats cold wind in the waist and spine. It benefits blood, preserves youthfulness, strengthens the stomach, and aids digestion. When consumed, it must be followed by rice to suppress its effect; otherwise, it causes dryness of the mouth.

Beizi (Concha Arcae)

Salty in flavor, neutral in nature. Toxic. Also known as Bei Chi (Shell Teeth), it is also produced at the sea coast. They are purple-black snail shells somewhat similar to each other, with white bellies resembling fish teeth. Painters often use them to polish paper, and infants often wear them to suppress fright. (Colloquially called Ya Jing Luo, "Fright-Suppressing Snail".) In ancient times, they were treasured as precious goods, so bribes and tribute gifts were often bestowed. For characters related to currency, the radical "Bei" (shell/money) is always included, indicating this meaning. To this day, Yunnan still uses them as money, which does not contradict ancient practices. For medicinal use, physicians must know the processing method: mix equal parts of vinegar and honey, steam together, rinse thoroughly with clear wine, and grind into powder. It releases the muscle layer, dissipates nodular heat, promotes urination, and reduces edema. It removes persistent red eyes and nebulae in men and women, healing immediately upon application; it eliminates infantian malnutrition (gan syndrome) with incessant vomiting of milk in children, bringing immediate peace upon ingestion. It drives away Guizhu (infectious tuberculosis-like disease) and resolves gutu (poisonous parasites/toxins).

Tianluo (Cipangopaludina chinensis)

Cold in nature. Non-toxic. Grows in paddy fields and on the banks of lakes and ditches; size like plums or peaches, shape similar to a snail but pointed and long. Color is greenish-yellow, harvested in summer and autumn. Cooked in turbid wine, the meat is picked out and eaten. It promotes urination and defecation, and rapidly reduces edema; it clears heat from the viscera and is particularly effective in suppressing the toxicity of Dan Shi (mineral drugs). It also treats Hongxiangjiao (foot Qi disease/berriberi) ascending, causing urgency and hardness in the lower abdomen; it further drives away liver heat rising, causing redness and pain in both eyes. It has special efficacy in sobering up from alcohol and immediate effect in relieving Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome). Collect abundant rotten shells, burn them to ash, and swallow the powder with water. It governs Fan Wei (regurgitation) due to stomach cold, and astringes against spermatorrhea and seminal emission. Sudden severe heart pain is eliminated immediately upon ingestion. Additionally, the juice of the large sea snail also brightens the eyes.