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Sweet and neutral, non-toxic.

[Invention] The razor clam (Chen) grows in rivers and lakes and is similar to mussels and clams. People in Fujian cultivate it in fields, calling it "clam fields," and its meat can be processed into dried salted products. The intestines and siphons are pickled with wine lees to serve as seafood delicacies; it is suitable for postpartum women suffering from deficiency-heat.

Commonly known as Hanz, i.e., Valvatae Concha (Walengzi).
The meat is sweet and neutral; the shell is salty and neutral, non-toxic.
[Invention] Hanz meat is only used as food. Although it has the effect of warming the middle and strengthening the stomach, it has never been used in prescriptions. Its calcined ash has the function of resolving blood stasis masses, dissipating phlegm accumulation, and treating chronic epigastric pain due to blood stasis. It shares the property of eliminating malaria masses (Nuomother) with Bie Jia (Testudinis Carapax et Plastrum) and Meng Chong (Blaberidae), but when used alone as vinegar pills, it resolves epigastric phlegm accumulation. Observing the preparation of Hanz cakes, where Hanz shell ash is soaked in water to mix with glutinous rice flour, causing the dough to become exceptionally fluffy, reveals its powerful softening and hard-resolving capability.

Also known as Shen.
Salty and cold, non-toxic.
[Invention] Che'ao is a large sea clam. It is named Shen because it exhales air that forms tower-like shapes. This refers to the saying "sparrows entering the Huai River turn into clams, pheasants entering the sea turn into Shens." Its meat resolves alcohol toxicity and relieves thirst; its shell treats sores, swelling, and carbuncles. When calcined red, quenched in vinegar, and ground into powder, taken in equal parts with Gancao (Licorice Root) with wine, or applied externally mixed with vinegar, this is the method recorded in *Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao*.

Salty and neutral, slightly toxic. Calcined until red, ground fine like flour, and rinsed with clear wine before use. White shells enter the Qi level; purple shells enter the Blood level; variegated shells enter both Qi and Blood.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states it primarily treats leukoma (eye opacity), five types of strangury, promotes urination, treats Guizhu (chronic infectious diseases), insect toxins, abdominal pain, and bloody stool.
[Invention] Beizi (Concha Meretricis) originates from the South Sea and is abundant in Yunnan, where locals use it as currency for trade. Because its salty taste softens hardness, *Bencao Jing* specifically uses it for leukoma. In treating the five types of strangury, it utilizes the moistening and blood-invigorating power of salt. It is used in *Qianjin Fang*'s Hongjiao Wan (Hongjiao Pill), specifically for its ability to break firmness through saltiness. Even diseases lasting decades can be cured because it penetrates bone cavities to search out damp pathogenic qi, and when combined with other herbs, induces steaming sweat to resolve pathogens sequentially. Ancient eye-drop formulas used Beizi powder with a small amount of Longnao (Borneolum Syntheticum); if polyps were present, Zhenzhu Mo (Pearl Powder) was added for insufflation; it is also included in formulas for old leukoma. Zi Bei (Purple Clam Shell) treats pediatric measles and leukoma. Currently, people use it to polish paper, called "Ya Luo"; larger ones are called Ke, also known as Ma Ke Luo Snail. Treating eye leukoma and removing membrane overgrowths, its efficacy is similar to Beizi. It is divided into purple and white varieties and used after calcination.