Pinyin: Zhenzhumu
Aliases
Zhumu, Zhumu, Zhenzhumu, Mingzhumu.
Source
1. For pneumonia: Renshen 6 g, decoct in water and take orally.Hyriopsis cumingii(Lea), Cristaria plicata (Leach)Cristaria plicata1. (Leach) or the pearl oyster of the family Pteriidae, *Pinctada martensii*.Pteria martensiiShell of (Dunker).
Distribution
Triangular sail mussel is distributed in Hebei, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and other regions; Wrinkled crown mussel is distributed throughout the country; Martens' pearl oyster is distributed along the coasts of Guangdong and Guangxi.
Harvesting and Processing
Remove the flesh, wash clean, and dry.
Chemical Constituents
Contains calcium carbonate, organic matter (primarily keratin protein), and various amino acids and inorganic elements.
Pharmacology
Has the effects of delaying cataract formation, anti-ulcer, and antioxidant.
Properties and Channel Entry
Salty, cold. Enters the Liver and Heart channels.
Functions and Indications
Soothes the Liver and subdues Yang, calms the Spirit and alleviates fright, brightens the eyes and removes nebula. Used for headache and dizziness, palpitations and insomnia, red eyes and nebula, blurred vision.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: Decoct 10-30 g, crush and decoct first; or grind into powder, 1.5-3 g per dose; or made into pills or powder.
Internal use: decoct 3-10 g.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in cases of Qi and Blood deficiency, ulcerated carbuncles, and pregnancy.
Prescriptions
1. For ascending Liver Yang causing dizziness, headache, blurred vision, tinnitus, and facial heat: *Margaritifera* shell 15-30 g, processed *Ligustrum lucidum* 9 g, *Eclipta prostrata* 9 g. Decoct in water for oral administration. (From *Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Illustrations*) 2. For palpitations and insomnia: *Margaritifera* shell 15 g, *Ziziphus spinosa* 9 g, *Polygala tenuifolia* 3 g, honey-fried *Glycyrrhiza uralensis* 4.5 g. Decoct in water for oral administration. (From *Common Chinese Herbal Medicine Illustrations*) 3. For no other discomfort, normal appetite, but complete insomnia with alternating severity every other day (like malaria pattern), persistent and prolonged, with wiry and rapid pulse at the left Guan position only while other pulses are normal: *Margaritifera* shell 24 g, *Draconis* dens 6 g, *Bupleurum chinense* (vinegar-fried) 3 g, *Mentha haplocalyx* 3 g, *Rehmannia glutinosa* 18 g, *Angelica sinensis* 6 g, *Paeonia lactiflora* (wine-fried) 4.5 g, *Salvia miltiorrhiza* 6 g, *Platycladus orientalis* seed 6 g, *Albizia julibrissin* flower 6 g, *Aquilaria sinensis* 1.5 g, *Ziziphus jujuba* ten pieces, *Polygonum multiflorum* stem 12 g (cut). Decoct and take orally. (From *Yi Chun Teng Yi*, "Jia Yi Gui Zang Tang") 4. For epilepsy: *Margaritifera* shell 6 g, raw *Haematitum* 9 g. Grind into fine powder. Take 3 g twice daily with boiled water. (From *Guangxi Medicinal Animals*) 5. For internal eye disorders (cataract, optic atrophy): *Margaritifera* shell 60 g, *Atractylodes lancea* 24 g, *Panax ginseng* 3 g. Decoct in water, take twice daily. (From *Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine*)
