Zhen Zhu Mu (珍珠母)

Name

Zhen Zhu Mu (Concha Margaritifera Usta), recorded in Ben Cao Tu Jing.

Source and quality

Plant

The shell of Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea) or Cristaria plicata (Leach), family Unionidae, or the shell of Pteria martensii (Dunker), family Pteriidae.

Where it is grown

The Unionidae species come from rivers and lakes in China; Pteria martensii comes from the coastal areas of Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan provinces.

Harvest

Collected throughout the year.

Smell and taste

Faint fishy smell; bland.

Better grade

Large and white, porous, and free of fragments.

Processing

The flesh is removed, the shell washed, the dark outer layer scraped off, and it is dried in the sun; used raw or calcined, then smashed.

Nature and action

Salty and cold; enters the liver and heart channels. Pacifies the liver and subdues yang, clears liver heat and improves vision, and suppresses the heart and induces tranquility.

When it is used

Liver yang hyperactivity

Zhen Zhu Mu resembles Shi Jue Ming in pacifying the liver, subduing yang and clearing liver heat, but its action is weaker. It is good at calming the heart and inducing tranquility through the heart channel, so the two are often used together to reinforce each other.

For liver yang hyperactivity from liver-kidney yin deficiency, with dizziness and blurred vision, it is combined with herbs that pacify liver yang, such as Bai Shao, Mu Li and Ci Shi. For liver yang hyperactivity with up-flaring liver fire, with restlessness and irritability, it is combined with herbs that clear liver heat and purge fire, such as Xia Ku Cao, Gou Teng and Ju Hua.

Blood-shot eyes, nebula, blurred vision and other eye disorders

Because it clears liver fire and nourishes liver yin, it is a key herb for eye disorders. For blood-shot eyes and nebula from liver heat it is combined with herbs that clear the liver, improve vision and remove nebula, such as Shi Jue Ming, Ju Hua and Xia Ku Cao. For dim and blurred vision from liver deficiency it is combined with herbs that nourish the liver and improve vision, such as Gou Qi Zi, Nv Zhen Zi and Hei Zhi Ma.

Restlessness of the heart and mind

It clears liver and heart fire and settles the mind, acting through the heart and liver channels. For restlessness of the heart and mind, with palpitations and insomnia, it is combined with settling and tranquilizing herbs such as Zhu Sha, Long Gu and Hu Po. Where restlessness comes with up-flaring heart fire, it is combined with Huang Lian and Zhi Zi to strengthen the clearing of heart fire.

Separately, ground into a fine powder it is used externally for sores and itching, because it dries dampness and heals wounds.

Dose

Decoction 15~30 g. Smash and decoct first. As powder or in pills, 1~3 g. Use externally as appropriate.