WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

 Muli is the shell of Ostrea gigas Thunberg, Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse or Ostrea rivular is Gould, pertaing to Ostreidae. It is collected in all seasons. After the flesh is removed, the shell is collected and then sun dried. The raw form is used or after calined. It is pounded for administration.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Salty and slightly cold; relate to liver, gallbladder and kidney meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Subdue yang, nourish yin; induce sedation with heavy settling; soften hardness and dissipate nodulation; and astringe.

[ Clinical applications ]: 1. Dizziness, dizzy vision and spasms        It treat dizziness, dizzy vision, agitation and tinnitus due to yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, usually combined with Longgu and Guiban; for example in Zhengan Xifeng Decoction. For spasms of four limbs, due to internal stirring of deficiency-wind, usually it is combined with Shengdihuang and Guijia; for example , in Dadingfengzhu Decoction.

2. Uneasiness, fright palpitation and insomnia     Usually it is combined with Longgu in mutual reinforcement; for example in Guizhi Gancao Lounggu Muli Decoction.

3. Phlegm nodule, scrofula, goiter, abdominal mass    In case of phlegm nodule, scrofula and goiter, due to accumulation of phlegm fire, it is combined with Zhebeimu and Xuanshen. It treats abdominal mass usually combined with Biejia and Danshen.

4. Various slip and loss diseases       For spontaneous sweating and night sweating usually it is combined with Mahuanggen and Fuxiaomai, such as , in Muli Powder. In case of seminal emission and spermatorrhea due to kidney insufficiency, usually it is combined with Shayuanzi and Longgu; for example in Jinsuo Gujing Pills. It treats frequent urination and enuresis, usually combined with Sangpiaoqiao and Yizhiren. For metrorrhagia, metrostaxis and leucorrhea, it is combined with Haipiaoqiao and Shanyao.

The calcined one can restrain acidity and alleviate pain, so as to treat stomach pain and sour regurgitation.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 9-30g. It is pounded and decocted first when it is used in decoction. Also it is used externally. For astringency it should be calcined, while for others disease the raw form is used.

[ Medicinal Comparison ]: Similarities: Both Longgu and Muli can induce sedation with heavy settling, pacify liver, subdue yang and astringe to treat uneasiness, fright palpitation, insomnia, yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, dizziness and dizzy vision, as well as various slip and loss diseases.

 Differences: Longgu is good at inducing sedation with heavy settling and stronger in astringing than Muli. Muli is good at pacifying liver and subduing yang, and able to soft hardness and dissipate nodulation to treat scrofula, goiter and abdominal mass.

牡蛎为牡蛎科动物长牡蛎Ostrea gigas Thunberg、大连湾牡蛎Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse或近江牡蛎Ostrea rivularis Gould的贝壳。我国沿海一带均有分布。全年均可采收，采得后，去肉，取壳，洗净，晒干。生用或煅用。用时打碎。