典藏书目

Wen Ge (Clam Shell): Its shape is large at one end and small at the other, with floral patterns on the surface. The flavor is salty and the nature is neutral. It mainly treats cough with qi reversal, Xiong Bi (chest bi-syndrome characterized by chest stuffiness and pain), lower back pain with hypochondriac stiffness, promotes urination, relieves thirst and irritability, resolves phlegm and softens hardness, and treats gan sores (ulcerative lesions) in the mouth and nose.

Wen Ge San (Clam Powder Decoction): [Discussion] When Sha Yang (Cold Damage affecting the Yang channels), treatment should involve sweating to release the exterior. However, due to irritability, it was mistakenly treated by pouring water over or bathing the patient. This caused cold pathogens to become constrained within, generating heat from the constraint, resulting in a Yang syndrome. Mr. Miu states that those with Qi deficiency accompanied by cold should use this with caution.

Beng Fen (Freshwater Mussel Powder): Long-shaped ones are generally called "Beng" (freshwater mussel), while round ones are generally called "Ge" (clam); mixing these terms is incorrect. (Li Shizhen) The flavor is slightly salty, and the nature is cold. It mainly treats regurgitation and phlegm-fluid retention in the heart and chest (administered with rice water). It clears heat, dries dampness, resolves phlegm, eliminates accumulation, and stops leukorrhea and white turbidity. Treatment methods: For hiccups, administer with ginger wine; for men's umbilical and abdominal pain, administer with fennel soup; for women's blood and qi pain, administer with child's urine mixed with wine. [Discussion] Freshwater mussels, whether living in rivers or lakes, all conceive pearls in response to the moon phases. The moon possesses the essence of extreme Yin, borrowing light from the sun; thus, within extreme Yin, there exists extreme Yang.

Tian Luo (River Snail): Previously, it was believed that Beng and Ge were marine products, differing slightly from those produced in rivers and lakes. Here, Tian Luo refers specifically to snails found in paddy fields and lake shores. Their uses are significantly different from marine products and cannot be viewed as equivalent. The meat has a sweet flavor and a very cold nature. It mainly removes accumulated heat in the abdomen, promotes the draining of damp-heat. When mashed and applied to the umbilicus, it guides heat downward, treats Jin Kou Li (Jin Kou dysentery where the patient cannot eat), and also treats difficulty in urination, urgency and hardness of the lower abdomen, and edema due to water qi. Extracting its juice treats Xia Xiao Ke (Lower Xiao Thirst characterized by polyuria), liver heat causing red eyes, rectal prolapse, hemorrhoids and fistula pain, and jaundice. It inherits the Yin Qi of earth and water, resolving all excess heat. (Chen Shigong) Treating Jin Kou Li: Mash two large river snails, add 3 fen of Moschus (Musk), form into cakes, warm them, and apply to the umbilicus. After half a day, heat moves downward, and appetite returns; this is highly effective. Treating difficulty in urination with abdominal distension like a drum: Apply the mashed snail to the umbilicus; water flows out through urination and defecation. Treating excessive thirst with continuous drinking and frequent urination: Take 2 sheng of glutinous rice, cook into 1 dou of thin porridge. Let it cool, then place 3 sheng of live river snails from the field inside. Wait until they consume the porridge and exude foam, then collect and drink the liquid. Immediate effect. This formula only treats Lower Xiao (thirst with frequent urination), not Middle or Upper Xiao, reflecting its transformation via extreme Yin Qi. Treating liver heat red eyes (not used if not related to wind-heat): Take seven large river snails, wash clean, soak in fresh well water to remove mud and dirt, change to one sheng of water for soaking. Place in a clean vessel, sprinkle a little salt flower inside the shell to collect the natural juice, and instill into the eyes. Treating hemorrhoid and fistula pain: Take one river snail, add 1 fen of Borneolum Syntheticum (Borneol), extract water, and apply to the lesion. First wash the area with winter melon soup. Shell: Flavor sweet, nature neutral. For persistent heart and spleen pain, Shui Jia San (Water Shell Powder) is the main prescription. Layer Tian Luo shells with pine wood chips, burn thoroughly, blow away the pine ash, take the shells, grind into powder, and mix with Wu Chen Tang (Black Musk and Agarwood Decoction) or similar formulas to regulate the middle and dissipate stagnation; take 2 qian. Miraculous effect. For pediatric convulsions with phlegm: Burn old white snail shells to ash, add a small amount of Moschus (Musk), mix with water, and force-feed. (This refers to the white shell of the river snail, distinct from the white-shell whelk mentioned below.) Treating regurgitation and vomiting: Take Tian Luo shells and Huang Xian shells (small clams), both selected from those long submerged in mud. Equal parts, stir-fry until white ash. For every 2 liang of ash, add four white plum meats, mash and form into pills. Place in a clay box, seal with mud, preserve the medicinal property (partial carbonization), grind fine. Take 2 qian per dose, administered with Ren Shen Su Sha Tang (Ginseng and Amomum Decoction) or mixed with aged rice water. Whenever one feels heart and abdominal distension and pain, indicating impending regurgitation, treat immediately with this medicine.

[General Discussion on Luo, Xian, and Beng] Tian Luo shell is sweet and neutral; Xian shell is salty and warm; Beng shell powder is salty and cold. Although their functions are similar, there are slight differences.