WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

It is the shell of Meretrix Linnaeus and Cyclina sinensis Gmeli, family veneridae. The sea clams are collected form sands on beaches in summer and autumn and the shells are washed clean after the clam meat is removed. The raw or the calcined are used. They are made into powder or refined with water to get Gefen.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Salty and cold; relate to lung and stomach meridians.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Clear lung and resolve phlegm; soften hardness and dissipate mass.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1.Phlegm-heat causing cough and dyspnea      For Phlegm-heat resulting in cough and dyspnea, it is combined with Haifushi, Baiqian and Sangbaipi; for accumulation of phlegm-fire, pain in chest and hypochondrium and cough with sputum and blood, with Qingdai, Zhizi and Gualou.

2. Goiter, subcutaneous nodule       It is combined with Haizao, Kunbu and Walengzi in Hanhua Pills to treat them

In addition, with mild function of inducing diuresis, it treats edema and difficult urination. The calcined can restrain acidity and alleviate pain and so treat stomachache with acid regurgitation. It is also ground into powder for external application to heal up ulcers.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 10-15 g of the powder made from Haigeqiao is warped to decoct. 1-3g is used in pill or powder form. The appropriate amount is used for external application.

海蛤壳为帘蛤科动物文蛤Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus 和青蛤Cyclina sinensis Gmelin 等的贝壳。产各地沿海地区。夏秋两季自海滩泥沙中淘取，去肉，洗净。生用或煅用。捣末或水飞用。