Pharmaceutical Name:

Concha Ostreae

Zoological Name:

Ostrea gigas Thunb.
Ostrea talienwhanensis Cross
Ostrea rivularia Gould

Common Name:

Oyster Shell

Source of Earliest Record:

Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:

Oyster shells are collected from the ocean in winter or spring. They are cleaned and dried in the sun, then pounded into powder.

Properties and Taste:

Salty and slightly cold

Meridians:

Liver and kidney

Functions:

To pacify the liver and subdue the yang
To soften hardness and release nodules
To stop perspiration, nocturnal emissions and leukorrhagia by astringents

Indications and Combinations:

1.     Deficient Yin of the liver and kidneys and upward flaring of yang manifested as dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision, tinnitus, palpitations, irritability and insomnia.
*Use with Dragon's bone (Longgu), Tortoise plastron (Guiban) and White peony root (Baishao).

2.     Late stage of febrile disease with exhaustion of Yin and body fluids which leads to malnutrition of tendons and muscles manifested as spasms, or convulsions.
*Use with Tortoise plastron (Guiban), Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao), White peony root (Baishao) and Turtle shell (Biejia) in the formula Sanjia Fumai Tang.

3.     Scrofula due to phlegm and fire.
*Use with Thunberg fritillary bulb (Zhebeimu) and Scrophularia (Xuanshen) in the formula Xiaolei Wan.

4.     Spontaneous sweating and night sweating due to weakness of the body.
*Use with Astragalus root (Huangqi), Ephedra root (Mahuanggen) and Light wheat (Fuxiaomai) in the formula Muli San.

5.     Nocturnal emissions due to kidney deficiency.
*Use with Flattened milkvetch seed (Shayuanzi), Euryale seed (Qianshi) and Lotus stamen (Lianxu) in the formula Jinsuo Gujing Wan.

6.     Uterine bleeding and leukorrhagia due to deficient Chong and Ren meridians.
*Use with Dragon's bone (Longgu), Dioscorea (Shanyao) and Schisandra fruit (Wuweizi).

Dosage:

15-30 g