Pinyin: Zhenzhu
Aliases
Bangzhu, Zhenzhu, Yaozhu, Zhuzi.
Source
Animal of the family Pteriidae, *Pinctada martensii*Pteria martensii1. (Dunker), freshwater mussel family animal triangle sail mussel.Hyriopsis cumingii(Lea) or folded crown musselCristaria plicataPearl formed by bivalve mollusks such as (Leach) under stimulation.
Distribution
Pearls are mainly produced in Guangdong, Guangxi, Taiwan, and other regions; freshwater cultured pearls are primarily produced in Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shanghai, and other areas.
Harvesting and Processing
Remove from the animal body, wash clean, and dry.
Medicinal Properties
This product is spherical, oblong, ovoid, rod-shaped, etc., with a diameter of 1.5-8 mm. The surface is semi-transparent, appearing whitish, light pink, light yellow-green, or light blue, smooth or slightly uneven, with a characteristic iridescent luster. The texture is hard, and the fractured surface shows layered striations. Odor: faint; Taste: bland.
Chemical Constituents
Contains calcium carbonate and multiple amino acids, as well as inorganic elements.
Pharmacology
Delays aging, produces antioxidant effects by inhibiting free radical reactions, inhibits tumor growth, and promotes granulation tissue proliferation.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, salty, and cold. Enters the Heart and Liver channels.
Functions and Indications
Calms the Spirit, settles fright, brightens the eyes, removes corneal opacity, resolves toxicity, generates tissue, moistens the skin, and removes spots. Used for palpitations and insomnia, infantile convulsions and epilepsy, red eyes with corneal opacity, non-healing sores and ulcers, and skin spots.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: Grind into powder, 0.3-1 g per dose, mostly used in pills or powders, not in decoctions. External: Apply an appropriate amount as dry powder, applied to the eyes or blown into the throat.
Precautions and Contraindications
Caution should be exercised in pregnant women.
Prescriptions
1. For infantile fright-induced crying and persistent night crying: Zhenzhu powder, Fuhuanglong, and Dansha 0.3 g each, and Shexiang 3 g. Grind together into a fine powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of mung beans. When crying occurs, administer one pill with warm water. Adjust dosage according to age and condition. (Zhenzhu Wan, from *Shengji Zonglu*). 2. For various oral sores: Zhenzhu 9 g, Pengsha and Qingdai 3 g each, Bingpian 1.5 g, Huanglian and Renzhongbai 6 g each (calcined). Grind the above into a fine powder. Apply to all types of oral sores. (Zhenbao San, from *Dantai Yu'an*). 3. For growth of fleshy tissue in the eye, gradually covering the entire eye: Zhenzhu and Beichi in equal parts. Grind both ingredients into a powder. Mix thoroughly and apply to the growth three to four times daily. (From *Waitai*, citing *Zhouhou Fang*). 4. For all clean wound surfaces, burns, and scalds with slow epithelial growth: Zhenzhu (calcined, ground) 4.5 g, Dangmenzi 1.5 g, Hupo powder 15 g, and Di Ruxiang 30 g. Grind together into an extremely fine powder. Sprinkle thinly over the affected area. After application, a scab will form quickly; do not remove the scab to avoid hindering epithelial growth. (Zhuxiang San, from *Zhao Bingnan's Clinical Experience Collection*). 5. For seminal emission due to consumptive disease: Zhenzhu 180 g, pound finely, levigate with water, and dry. Mix with steamed bread dough to form pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 20 pills with warm wine before meals. (Zhenjing Zhenzhu Wan, from *Sheng Hui Fang*).
