（蛤蚌类二十九种）
（《本经》上品）
【释名】牡蛤（《别录》）、蛎蛤（《本经》）、
弘景曰∶道家方以左顾是雄，故名牡蛎，右顾则牝蛎也。或以尖头为左顾，未详孰是。
藏器曰∶天生万物皆有牡牝。惟蛎是咸水结成，块然不动，阴阳之道，何从而生？《经》
言牡者，应
宗 曰∶《本经》不言左顾，止从陶说。而段成式亦云∶牡蛎言牡，非谓雄也。且如
丹，岂有牝丹乎？此物无目，更何顾 ？
时珍曰∶蛤蚌之属，皆有胎生、卵生。独此化生，纯雄无雌，故得牡名。曰蛎曰 ，言
其粗大也。
【集解】《别录》曰∶牡蛎生东海池泽。采无时。
弘景曰∶今出东海、永嘉、晋安。云是百岁雕所化。十一月采，以大者为好。其生着石，
皆以口在上。举以腹向南视之，口斜向东，则是左顾。出广州南海者亦同，但多右顾，不堪
用也。丹方及煮盐者，皆以泥釜，云耐水火，不破漏。皆除其甲口，止取
颂曰∶今海旁皆有之，而通、泰及南海、闽中尤多。皆附石而生，
蛎房。晋安人呼为
每一房内有肉一块，大房如马蹄，小者如人指面。每潮来，
充腹。海人取者，皆凿房以烈火逼之，挑取其肉当食品，其味美好，更有益也。海族为最贵。
时珍曰∶南海人以其蛎房砌墙，烧灰粉壁，食其肉谓之蛎黄。
保升曰∶又有 蛎，形短，不入药用。
曰∶有石牡蛎，头边皆大，小夹沙石，
夫服之，令人无髭也。其真牡蛎，用火 过，以 试之，随手走起者是也。 乃千年琥珀。
【修治】宗 曰∶凡用，须泥固烧为粉。亦有生用者。
曰∶凡用牡蛎，先用二十个，以东流水入盐一两，煮一伏时，再入火中
时珍曰∶按∶温隐居云∶牡蛎将童尿浸四十九日（五日一换），取出，以硫黄末和米醋
涂
上，黄泥固济， 过用。
【气味】咸，平，微寒，无毒。
之才曰∶贝母为之使。得甘草、牛膝、远志、蛇床子良。恶麻黄、辛夷、吴茱萸。伏
砂。
【主治】伤寒寒热，温疟洒洒，惊恚怒气，除拘缓鼠 ，女子带下赤白。久服，强骨节，
杀邪鬼，延年（《本经》）。除留热在关节营卫，虚热去来不定，烦满心痛气结，止汗止渴，
除老血，疗泄精，涩大小肠，止大小便，治喉痹咳嗽，心胁下痞热（《别录》）。
人、小儿盗汗。同麻黄根、蛇床子、干姜为粉，去阴汗（藏器）。治女子崩中，止
热温疟，鬼交精出（甄权）。男子虚劳，补肾安神，去烦热，小儿惊痫（李
瘰，一切疮肿（好古
瘿疾结核（时珍）。
【发明】权曰∶病虚而多热者，宜同地黄、小草用之。
好古曰∶牡蛎入足少阴，为软坚之剂。以柴胡引之，能去胁下硬。以茶引之，能消项上
结核。以大黄引之，能消股间肿。以地黄为使，能益精收涩，止小便，本肾经血分之药也。
成无己曰∶牡蛎之咸，以消胸膈之满，以泄水气，使痞者消，硬者软也。
元素曰∶壮水之主，以制阳光，则渴饮不思。故蛤蛎之类，能止渴也。
【附方】旧七，新十四。
心脾气痛，气实有痰者∶牡蛎 粉，酒服二钱。（《丹溪心法》）
疟疾寒热∶牡蛎粉、杜仲等分为末，蜜丸梧子大。每服五十丸，温水下。（《普济方
气虚盗汗∶上方为末。每酒服方寸匕。（《千金方》）
虚劳盗汗∶牡蛎粉、麻黄根、黄 等分。为末。每服二钱，水一盏，煎七分，温服，日
一。（《本事方》）
产后盗汗∶牡蛎粉、麦
消渴饮水∶腊日或端午日，用黄泥固济牡蛎， 赤研末。每服一钱，用活鲫鱼煎汤调下。
只二三服愈。（《经验方》）
百合变渴∶伤寒传成百合病，如寒无寒，如热无热，欲卧不卧，欲行不行，欲食不食，
口苦，小便赤色，得药则吐利，变成渴疾，久不瘥者。用牡蛎（熬）二两，栝蒌根二两，为
细末。每服方寸匕，用米饮调下，日三服取效。（张仲景《
病后常衄，小劳即作∶牡蛎十分，石膏五分，为末。酒服方寸匕（亦可蜜丸），日三服。
（《肘后方》）
小便淋 ，服血药不效者∶用牡蛎粉、黄柏（炒）等分为末。每服一钱，小茴香汤下，
取效。（《医学集成》）
小便数多∶牡蛎五两。烧灰，小便三升，煎二升，分三服。神效。（《乾坤生意》）
梦遗便溏∶牡蛎粉，醋糊丸梧子大。每服三十丸，米饮下，日二服。（丹溪方）
水病囊肿∶牡蛎（ ）粉二两，干姜（炮）一两。研末，冷水调糊扫上。须臾囊热如火，
干则再上。小便利即愈。一方，用葱汁、白面同调。小儿不用干姜。（初虞世《古今录验方》）
月水不止∶牡蛎 研，米醋搜成团，再 研末。以米醋调艾叶末熬膏，丸梧子大。每醋
艾汤下四五十丸。（《普济方》）
金疮出血∶牡蛎粉敷之。（《肘后》）
破伤湿气，口噤强直∶用牡蛎粉，酒服二钱，仍外敷之，取效。（《三因方》）
发背初起∶古贲粉灰，以鸡子白和，涂四围，频上取效。（《千金方》）
痈肿未成，用此拔毒∶水调牡蛎粉末涂之。干更上。（姚僧坦《
男女瘰 ∶《经验》∶用牡蛎（ ，研）末四两，玄参末三两，面糊丸梧子大。每服三十
丸，酒下，日三服。服尽除根。初虞世云∶瘰 不拘已破未破。用牡蛎四两，甘草一两，为
末。每食后，用腊茶汤调服一钱。其效如神。
甲疽溃痛∶ 肉裹趾甲，脓血不瘥者。用牡蛎头浓处，生研为末。每服二钱，红花煎酒
调下，日三服。仍用敷之，取效。（《胜金方》）
面色黧黑∶牡蛎粉研末，蜜丸梧子大。每服三十丸，白汤下，日一服。并炙其肉食之。
（《
肉
【气味】甘，温，无毒。
【主治】煮食，治虚损，调中，解丹毒，妇人血气。以姜、醋生食，治丹毒，酒后烦热，
止渴（藏器）。炙食甚美，令人细肌
(Class 29: Clams and Mollusks)
(Listed as Superior Grade in *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Names] Muha (from *Mingyi Bielu*), Lige (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Tao Hongjing stated: In Daoist prescriptions, those facing left are considered male, hence named "Mu Li" (Oyster); those facing right are female, called "Pin Li". Some consider the pointed end as facing left, but it is unclear which is correct.
Su Gong stated: All things born from nature have male and female distinctions. Only the oyster is formed by saline water condensation, remaining static in blocks. How does the Way of Yin and Yang arise from this? The term "Mu" (Male) in the *Jing* (Classic) should...
Chen Zangqi stated: ...
Kou Zongshi stated: *Shennong Bencao Jing* does not mention facing left, merely following Tao Hongjing's theory. Duan Chengshi also said: The "Mu" in Mu Li does not refer to maleness. Just like Cinnabar (Dan), can there be a female Cinnabar? This creature has no eyes, so how can it look or turn its head?
Li Shizhen stated: Among clams and mollusks, all reproduce via viviparity or oviparity. Only this species arises from transformation (spontaneous generation), being purely male without females, thus earning the name "Mu". "Li" and [missing character] refer to its coarse and large size.
[Collection & Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Mu Li grows in the ponds and marshes of the East Sea. It can be harvested at any time.
Tao Hongjing stated: Currently, it is produced in the East Sea, Yongjia, and Jin'an. It is said to be transformed from hundred-year-old vultures. Harvested in November, with larger specimens being preferred. They grow attached to rocks, with their mouths facing upwards. When held with the belly facing south, if the mouth slants towards the east, it is considered facing left. Those from Guangzhou and the South Sea are similar, but mostly face right and are unsuitable for medicinal use. Alchemists and salt boilers both use clay pots, claiming they withstand fire and water without cracking or leaking. The shell edges are removed, retaining only...
Su Song stated: Now they are found along all coasts, particularly abundant in Tongzhou, Taizhou, the South Sea, and Fujian. They all grow attached to stones...
Each shell contains one piece of meat; large ones are like horse hooves, small ones like the surface of a human finger. With each tide... they fill their bellies. Sea people harvest them by chiseling the shells and using fierce heat to extract the meat for food; the taste is delicious and beneficial. They are the most precious among marine creatures.
Li Shizhen stated: People in the South Sea use oyster shells to build walls, burn them into ash for whitewashing, and eat the meat, calling it "Li Huang".
Baosheng stated: There is another type... Li, which is short in shape and not used medicinally.
...stated: There is Stone Mu Li, with large heads and small sand/stone inclusions... Taking it causes hair loss. The true Mu Li, when fired... and tested with..., moves instantly upon contact, is authentic. ...is thousand-year-old amber.
[Processing] Kou Zongshi stated: For use, it must be sealed with mud and calcined into powder. There are also cases of raw use.
...stated: For medicinal use of Mu Li, take twenty pieces first, add one tael of salt to flowing eastern water, boil for one full day (24 hours), then place in fire...
Li Shizhen stated: According to Wen Juju: Soak Mu Li in child's urine for forty-nine days (changing every five days), remove, coat with sulfur powder mixed with rice vinegar... seal with yellow mud, calcine, and use.
[Flavor & Properties] Salty, neutral, slightly cold, non-toxic.
Xu Zhicai stated: Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb) acts as its guiding herb. It works well with Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root), Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root), and She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Fruit). It is antagonistic to Ma Huang (Ephedra), Xin Yi (Magnolia Flower), and Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia Fruit). Suppresses... Sand.
[Indications] Treats cold-heat alternations from Shang Han (Cold Damage), the shivering chills of Wen Nue (Warm Malaria), fright and anger qi, relieves spasms and flaccidity, treats Shu Lu (scrofula/cervical lymphadenitis), and red/white leukorrhea in women. Long-term use strengthens bones and joints, expels evil spirits, and prolongs life (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Clears lingering heat in joints, Ying, and Wei levels; vacuous heat coming and going; irritability, chest pain, and qi stagnation; stops sweating and thirst; removes old blood; treats seminal emission; astringes the Large and Small Intestines, stopping diarrhea and urinary frequency; treats throat obstruction (Hou Bi) and cough; and chest/hypochondriac stuffiness with heat (*Mingyi Bielu*). ...persons, children's night sweats. Combined with Ma Huang Gen (Ephedra Root), She Chuang Zi, and Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) made into powder, removes genital sweating (Su Gong). Treats uterine bleeding (Beng Zhong) in women, stops... heat warm malaria, nocturnal emissions due to demonic intercourse (Zhen Quan). Treats male deficiency exhaustion, tonifies Kidney, calms Spirit, clears irritant heat, and pediatric convulsions (Li...). Scrofula, all sores and swellings (Hao Gu). Goiter and nodules (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Zhen Quan stated: For deficiency conditions with much heat, it should be used together with Di Huang (Rehmannia Root) and Xiao Cao (Grass Tulip Bulb).
Wang Haogu stated: Mu Li enters the Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney) meridian and is a softening and dissipating agent. Guided by Chai Hu (Bupleurum Root), it removes hardness under the ribs. Guided by Tea, it eliminates neck nodules. Guided by Da Huang (Rhubarb Root), it reduces swelling between the thighs. Used with Di Huang as an assistant, it benefits essence, astringes, and stops urination; it is a drug belonging to the Blood level of the Kidney meridian.
Cheng Wuji stated: The salty flavor of Mu Li dissipates chest and diaphragm fullness and drains damp-fluids, causing stagnation to resolve and hardness to soften.
Zhang Yuansu stated: Strengthening the source of Water to control the flare-up of Yang results in no desire to drink. Therefore, clams and oysters can stop thirst.
[Attached Prescriptions] Seven old, fourteen new.
Heart and Spleen Qi pain with excess phlegm: Mu Li... powder, taken with wine, 2 qian per dose (*Danxi Xinfa*).
Malaria with cold and heat: Mu Li powder and Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark) in equal parts, powdered, honey-pilled like wu zi (walnut seeds). Take 50 pills per dose with warm water (*Pujifang*).
Qi-deficiency night sweats: Powder the above formula. Take one cun bi (square inch measure) per dose with wine (*Qianjin Fang*).
Deficiency exhaustion night sweats: Mu Li powder, Ma Huang Gen, Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) in equal parts. Powdered. Take 2 qian per dose with one cup of water, decocted to 70%, taken warm once daily (*Benshi Fang*).
Postpartum night sweats: Mu Li powder, Mai...
Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) with excessive drinking: On the last day of the lunar month or Dragon Boat Festival, seal Mu Li with yellow mud, calcine until red, and powder. Take 1 qian per dose mixed with soup boiled from live crucian carp. Cure in two or three doses (*Jingyan Fang*).
Bai He Disease transforming into thirst: If Cold Damage transmits to Bai He Disease, presenting as cold without actual cold, heat without actual heat, wanting to lie down but unable, wanting to walk but unable, wanting to eat but unable, bitter taste in mouth, red urine, vomiting/diarrhea after taking medicine, transforming into a thirst disease that persists long-term: Use roasted Mu Li 2 liang, Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthes Root) 2 liang, powdered finely. Take one cun bi per dose mixed with rice drink, three times daily until effective (*Zhang Zhongjing...* ).
Post-illness frequent epistaxis triggered by slight exertion: Mu Li 10 fen, Shi Gao (Gypsum) 5 fen, powdered. Taken with wine, one cun bi per dose (can also be honey-pilled), three times daily (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Dysuria unresponsive to blood-invigorating drugs: Mu Li powder and Chao Huang Bo (Phellodendron Bark, stir-fried) in equal parts, powdered. Take 1 qian per dose with Fennel seed soup (*Yixue Jicheng*).
Urinary frequency: Mu Li 5 liang. Calcined to ash, decocted in 3 sheng of urine down to 2 sheng, divided into three doses. Divine efficacy (*Qiankun Shengyi*).
Nocturnal emission with loose stools: Mu Li powder, pilled with vinegar paste like wu zi. Take 30 pills per dose with rice drink, twice daily (Danxi Formula).
Edema with cystic swelling: Mu Li (...) powder 2 liang, Pao Gan Jiang (Roasted Dried Ginger) 1 liang. Powdered, mixed with cold water into a paste, applied topically. The cyst will become hot as fire shortly; reapply when dry. Recovery occurs when urination becomes normal. Another formula uses green onion juice and white flour mixed. Do not use dried ginger for children (Chu Yushi *Gujin Luyuan Fang*).
Menstruation not stopping: Mu Li... ground, kneaded into a ball with rice vinegar, then ground again to powder. Mix mugwort leaf powder with rice vinegar to make a paste, pill like wu zi. Take 40-50 pills per dose with vinegar-mugwort soup (*Pujifang*).
Metal wound bleeding: Apply Mu Li powder (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Broken skin with dampness, trismus and rigidity: Take 2 qian of Mu Li powder with wine, and apply externally for effect (*Sanyin Fang*).
Early stage of Back Carbuncle: Ancient turtle shell ash mixed with egg white, applied around the perimeter, frequently reapplied for effect (*Qianjin Fang*).
Abscess not yet suppurated, use this to draw out toxin: Mix Mu Li powder with water and apply. Reapply when dry (Yaoengt Tan *...* ).
Scrofula in men and women: *Jingyan*: Mu Li (...ground) powder 4 liang, Xuan Shen (Scrophularia Root) powder 3 liang, pilled with wheat paste like wu zi. Take 30 pills per dose with wine, three times daily. Complete course eradicates root. Chu Yushi said: Scrofula regardless of whether broken or not. Use Mu Li 4 liang, Gan Cao 1 liang, powdered. Take 1 qian per dose after meals with aged tea soup. Effect is divine.
Onychocryptosis with ulceration and pain: Nail growing into flesh, pus and blood not healing: Use the thick part of the Mu Li head, raw-ground to powder. Take 2 qian per dose mixed with safflower-decocted wine, three times daily. Also apply externally for effect (*Shengjin Fang*).
Darkened complexion: Mu Li powder, honey-pilled like wu zi. Take 30 pills per dose with plain water, once daily. Also roast and eat the meat (*...* ).
Meat...
[Flavor & Properties] Sweet, warm, non-toxic.
[Indications] Boiled and eaten, treats deficiency exhaustion, regulates the Middle Jiao, resolves Dan Du (erysipelas/toxin), and regulates woman's blood and qi. Eaten raw with ginger and vinegar, treats erysipelas, post-alcohol irritant heat, and stops thirst (Su Gong). Roasted, it is very delicious and refines the skin.