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(Bangge) [Clam Shell] has the effects of resolving toxicity, transforming phlegm, stopping cough, and astringing cold.

Geli Fen (Clam Shell Powder) [Primarily enters the Kidney meridian, and also the Lung and Liver meridians]. It is made by grinding the shells of water clams found in the sea into powder. It differs from the freshwater clam shells found in rivers and lakes. Its efficacy is similar to that of Muli (Oyster Shell), but this substance only possesses the powers of astringency, softening hardness, and clearing heat. (Shizhen said: The cold nature controls fire, and the salty flavor descends and moistens; therefore, it can descend rebellious qi. The cold nature dissipates heat, and the salty flavor enters the blood; therefore, it can resolve masses. Hardness is softened by saltiness, taking advantage of its association with Water and its moistening nature. Dampness is dried by permeation, taking advantage of its transformation by fire to promote urination.) Thus, it can eliminate phlegm, stop coughing, and treat swelling. In the past, Emperor Huizong of Song's favored concubine suffered from this condition. Li Fangyu obtained clam shell powder from market vendors, added a small amount of Qingdai (Indigo Naturalis), and mixed it with fresh water and a few drops of sesame oil for oral administration, resulting in a cure. This also reflects the intent to astringe the Lung and clear heat, without other specific treatments. (Previously, Chen Tong, a clerk at the Chuzhou wine depot, suffered from severe edema and was near death. Physicians could not treat him. An old woman instructed him to crush ten garlic cloves into a paste, mix them with clam shell powder to form pills, and take them with warm water before meals. After finishing the dose, he urinated several buckets of fluid and recovered.) The meat is salty and cold, and resolves alcohol-induced heat. Wen Ge (Clam Shell) has purple mottled patterns on its back, and its shell is slightly darker than that of the common clam. Its nature, flavor, and therapeutic indications are quite similar, but this substance additionally promotes diuresis, relieves thirst, eliminates irritability, and treats bloody leukorrhea caused by blood heat. Generally, it relies on the meaning of using cold and salty properties to wash away retained fluids! (Cheng Wuji said: The saltiness of Wen Ge travels to the Kidney to overcome Qi of Water. For example, in Zhang Zhongjing's *Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases*, when Sunyang disease involves water retention causing increased irritability, where there is a desire to drink but no actual thirst, or in *Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Casket*, when there is incessant thirst, or after vomiting due to stomach rebellion, where there is a desire to drink greedily, Wen Ge Tang is used for treatment.) Haige (Sea Clam) consists of rotten shells from the sea, mixed with sand and mud, calcined into powder. It also belongs to the category of substances that promote diuresis, reduce swelling, and stop coughing. However, it does not resemble Muli (Oyster Shell), whose efficacy is specialized in astringency, consolidating collapse, and clearing heat.

Sour flavors govern astringency; therefore, astringent treatments should primarily rely on sour herbs. However, relying solely on sour flavors without simultaneously assessing Yin-Yang deficiency and excess fails to grasp the proper method of using sour substances! Therefore, among astringent herbs, there are many types. Broadly speaking, those with a cold nature and astringent properties include Baishao (White Peony Root), Muli (Oyster Shell), Suske (Poppy Capsule), Wubeizi (Chinese Gallnut), Baiyaojian (Plum Decoction), Zhaofan (Alum), and Baijian (White Alum). Among these, some possess both astringent and binding properties, whereas Baishao only governs astringency without binding. Those with a warm nature and astringent-binding properties include Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry), Mugua (Chaenomeles Fruit), Wumei (Mume Fruit), Hezi (Chebula Fruit), and Chishizhi (Red Kaolin). However, Wuweizi specifically astringes the Lung, returns to the Kidney, secures essence, and consolidates Qi; Mugua specifically astringes the Lung and awakens the Spleen; Wumei specifically astringes Qi and binds the Intestines; Hezi specifically arrests collapse, stops diarrhea, clears phlegm, and descends fire; Chishizhi specifically arrests collapse and stops bleeding. As for Jinyingzi (Cherokee Rose Hip), although it is an essential agent for securing essence, it possesses only binding power with very little tonifying property. Shanzhuyu (Cornus Fruit) warms and tonifies the Liver and Kidney. Although it is used for arresting collapse and consolidating Qi, its astringent action exceeds its binding action, so they cannot be applied indiscriminately without distinction.