牡蛎∶味咸而涩，性微凉。能软坚化痰，善消瘰 ，止呃逆，固精气，治女子崩带。《神农本草经》谓其
主温疟者，因温疟但在足少阳，故不与太阳相并为寒，但与阳明相并为热。牡蛎能入其经而祛其外来之邪。主
惊恚怒气者，因惊则由于胆，怒则由于肝，牡蛎咸寒属水，以水滋木，则肝胆自得其养。且其性善收敛有保合
之力，则胆得其助而惊恐自除，其质类金石有镇安之力，则肝得其平而恚怒自息矣。至于筋原属肝，肝不病而
筋之或拘或缓者自愈，故《神农本草经》又谓其除拘缓也。
牡蛎所消之瘰 ，即《神农本草经》所谓 。而其所以能消 者，非因其咸能软坚也。盖牡蛎之原质，
为炭酸钙化合而成，其中含有沃度（亦名海典），沃度者善消瘤赘瘰 之药也（医方篇消瘰丸下附有验案可参观）。
龙骨、牡蛎，若专取其收涩可以 用。若用以滋阴，用以敛火，或取其收敛，兼取其开通者（二药皆敛
而能开），皆不可 。
若作丸散，亦可 用，因 之则其质稍软，与脾胃相宜也。然宜存性，不可过 ，若入汤剂仍以不 为佳。
今用者一概 之，殊非所宜。
石决明∶味微咸，性微凉。为凉肝镇肝之要药。肝开窍于目，是以其性善明目，研细水飞作敷药，能除目
外障，作丸散内服，熊消目内障（消内障丸散优于汤剂）。为其能凉肝，兼能镇肝，故善治脑中
充血作疼作眩晕，因此证多系肝气肝火挟血上冲也。是以愚治脑充血证，恒重用之至两许。其性又善利小便，
通五淋，盖肝主疏泄为肾行气，用决明以凉之镇之，俾肝气肝火不妄动自能下行，肾气不失疏泄之常，则小便
之难者自利，五淋之涩者自通矣。此物乃鳆甲也，状如蛤，单片附石而生，其边有孔如豌豆，七孔九孔者佳，
宜生研作粉用之，不宜 用。
Oyster Shell (Muli): Salty and astringent in taste, slightly cool in nature. It can soften hardness and resolve phlegm, is excellent at eliminating scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis of the neck), stops hiccups, consolidates essence and leukorrhea, and treats metrorrhagia and leukorrhea in women. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states it mainly treats warm malaria (Wen Nue). This is because warm malaria resides solely in the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder channel, thus not combining with the Taiyang channel to manifest as cold, but combining with the Yangming channel to manifest as heat. Oyster shell can enter this channel and dispel exogenous pathogens. It is stated to treat fright, indignation, and anger because fright originates from the Gallbladder and anger from the Liver. Oyster shell is salty, cold, and belongs to Water; by nourishing Wood (Liver and Gallbladder) with Water, the Liver and Gallbladder naturally receive nourishment. Furthermore, its nature is good at astringency, possessing the power of preservation and harmony; thus, the Gallbladder receives assistance, and fright is naturally eliminated. Its texture resembles metal and stone, possessing sedative power; thus, the Liver is pacified, and indignation and anger naturally subside. Since sinews originally belong to the Liver, if the Liver is not diseased, the sinews' conditions of either spasm or flaccidity will heal themselves. Therefore, the *Shenneng Bencao Jing* also states it removes spasm and flaccidity.
The scrofula eliminated by oyster shell refers to the "masses and accumulations" mentioned in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Its ability to eliminate these is not due to the salty flavor softening hardness. Rather, the original substance of oyster shell is composed of calcium carbonate, containing iodine (also known as sea iodine). Iodine is a drug that effectively eliminates tumors, growths, and scrofula (see verified cases under the formula Xiaoluo Wan in the Medical Formulas section for reference). Dragon Bone (Longgu) and Oyster Shell (Muli), if used specifically for their astringent properties, may be used calcined. However, if used to nourish Yin, to consolidate and descend fire, or to utilize their astringent properties while also leveraging their opening effects (both herbs are astringent yet capable of opening), they must not be used calcined.
If prepared as pills or powders, calcined forms may also be used, as calcination makes the texture slightly softer, making it more suitable for the Spleen and Stomach. However, the medicinal property should be preserved, and over-calcination should be avoided. If used in decoctions, it is best not to use the calcined form. Currently, users universally employ the calcined form, which is highly inappropriate.
Abalone Shell (Shijueming): Slightly salty in taste, slightly cool in nature. It is an essential herb for cooling and suppressing the Liver. The Liver opens into the eyes; therefore, its nature is excellent for brightening the eyes. When ground finely and processed by wet grinding (water flying) for external application, it can remove external eye opacities. When made into pills or powders for internal use, it can eliminate internal eye opacities (pills and powders for eliminating internal opacities are superior to decoctions). Because it cools the Liver and suppresses the Liver, it is excellent for treating pain and vertigo caused by cerebral congestion, as such syndromes are mostly due to Liver Qi and Liver Fire carrying blood upward. Therefore, when I treat cerebral congestion syndromes, I frequently use heavy doses, up to one tael (approx. 30-37g). Its nature is also excellent at promoting urination and unblocking the five types of strangury (Lin syndrome). This is because the Liver governs dispersion and excretion, facilitating the movement of Qi for the Kidney. By using Shijueming to cool and suppress the Liver, ensuring Liver Qi and Liver Fire do not move recklessly, they naturally descend. The Kidney's Qi retains its normal function of dispersion and excretion; thus, difficult urination naturally becomes free, and the stagnation of the five types of strangury naturally resolves. This substance is the shell of the abalone (Foujia). It resembles a clam, growing as a single plate attached to rocks. The edges have holes like pea seeds; those with seven or nine holes are considered superior. It should be ground raw into powder for use and should not be calcined.