Pharmaceutical Name:

Margarita

Zoological Name:

Pteria martensii (Dunker)
Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea)
Cristaria plicata (Leach)

Common Name:

Mother-of-pearl
Pearl

Source of Earliest Record:

Haiyao Bencao

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:

The pearl shells are collected and ground into powder.

Properties and Taste:

Salty and cold

Meridians:

Heart and liver

Functions:

To pacify the liver and subdue the yang
To clear heat in the liver and brighten the eyes

Indications and Combinations:

1.     Deficient yin of the liver and kidneys and hyperactivity of liver yang manifested as headache, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, irritability and insomnia.
*Use with White peony root (Baishao), Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Sea-ear shell (Shijueming) and Dragon's bone (Longgu).

2.     Wind and heat in the liver meridian manifested as blurred vision and night blindness.
*Use with Atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu), Pig liver (Zhugan) and Chicken's liver (Jigan) or Rabbit's liver (Tugan). 

3.     Wind and heat in the liver meridian manifested as red, swollen and painful eyes and photophobia.
*Use with Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua) and Plantain seed (Cheqianzi).

Dosage:

15-30 g; 3.3-1 g (for pills)