The source is from the shell of Ostrea gigas Thunberg, O. talienwhanensis Crosse or O. rivularis Gould, family Ostreidae. The medicinal material is produced in the areas along the sea of China, collected in winter and spring and dried in the sun after the shell (meat is removed) is cleaned. The crude or calcined one is used after it is broken. Medicinal Properties Salty in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributive to the liver and kidney meridians. Actions Calm the liver, suppress the hyperactive yang, soften hardness and disperse the stagnated mass, and astringe, invigorate the kidney to preserve essence. Application 1. For hyperactivity of liver-yang manifested as dizziness and tinnitus, it is usually used together with Longgu (Os Draconis), Guiban (Plastrum Testudinis), and Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), etc., such as Zhengan Xifeng Tang (Decoction); for febrile disease injuring the yin and causing endogenous liver wind manifested as convulsion of limbs, usually combined with Guiban (Plastrum Testudinis), Biejia (Carapax Trionycis), and Dihuang (Radix Rehmanniae), etc., such as Da Dingfeng Zhu (Bolus). 2. For stagnation of phlegm and fire manifested as scrofula, subcutaneous nodule and abdominal mass, it is usually used together with Zhebeimu (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii) and Xuanshen ( Radix Scrophulariae ), such as Xiaoluo Wan (Bolus). Recently, it is used clinically to treat mass of the hypochondrium, it is usually combined with Danshen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), Zelan (Herba Lycopi) and Biejia ( Carapax Trionycis ), etc.. 3. It is used for all slippery and depletive syndromes. For spontaneous perspiration and night sweat, it may be combined with Huangqi ( Radix Astragali ) and Mahuanggen (Radix Ephedrae) ; for kidney-deficiency syndrome manifested as emission and spermatorrhea, usually combined with Shayuanzi ( Semen Astragali Complanati) and Qianshi ( Semen Euryales), such as Jinsuo Gujing Wan (Pill); for metrorrhagia and metrostaxis and abnormal vaginal discharge, combined with Duanlonggn (Os Draconis Usta ) , Haipiaoxiao (Os Sepiellae seu Sepiae ) and Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae). Besides, it has the action of controlling acid, so it can be used for gastroxynsis and gastric ulcer. Usage and Dosage 15 - 30 g is used in decoction for oral use, which is decocted earlier. The calcined one is used for astringing, invigorating the kidney to preserve essence and controlling acid and the crude one is used for other symptoms.
