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(Shangpin, listed in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Names] Huage (Flower Clam).
Li Shizhen said: They are all named according to their shape.

[Collected Explanations] The *Bielu* states: Wen Ge (Textured Clam) grows in the East Sea. Its surface has patterns. It can be harvested at any time.
Hongjing stated: Both large and small ones have purple spots.
Baosheng stated: It is now produced in the sea of Laizhou. It is harvested in mid-March. There are patterns on its back.
Gong stated: The large ones are three inches in diameter, and the small ones are five or six fen in diameter.
Li Shizhen stated: According to Shen Cunzhong's *Bitan*, Wen Ge is what people in Wu eat today as Huage. Its shape is small at one end and large at the other; those with floral patterns on the shell are it.

[Processing] Same as Haige (Sea Clam).

[Properties and Flavor] Salty, neutral, non-toxic.

[Indications] Erysipelas-like sores, corroding the five types of hemorrhoids (*Benjing*). Cough with reverse flow, chest bi syndrome, lower back pain, and hypochondriac pain (*Bielu*). It can stop thirst and irritability, promote urination, resolve phlegm and soften hardness, treating... (text cuts off here)

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: According to Cheng Wuji, the salty flavor of Wen Ge enters the Kidney channel and can overcome water qi.

[Attached Prescriptions] One old prescription, one new prescription.
Shanghan Wen Ge San (Wen Ge Powder for Cold Damage): Zhang Zhongjing said: When the disease is in the Yang level, it should be resolved by sweating. If cold water is mistakenly applied, or if drinking water results in a lack of thirst, this powder is indicated. Five liang of Wen Ge are ground into powder. Each dose is one fangcun bi (a square-inch measure), taken with boiling water. It is very effective.
Gan Shi Kou Bi (Mouth and Nose Eroded by Parasitic Disease), days passing until death: Wen Ge is burnt to ash, mixed with lard from the twelfth lunar month, and applied topically. (*Qianjin Yifang*)

(Clay Clam. Recorded in Song Dynasty *Jiayou Bencao*)

[Names] Li Shizhen said: Among clams, this one is beneficial to humans, hence the name Gelī (Clam).

[Collected Explanations] Ji stated: Gelī grows in the southeastern seas. It has a white shell and purple lips. Those two or three inches in size are common. People in Fujian also use them as sauce or vinegar. Its shell, when calcined by fire into powder, is called Gelī Fen (Clam Shell Powder).

[Properties and Flavor] Salty, cold, non-toxic.
Cangqi stated: Although this substance is cold in nature, it opposes Dan Shi (mineral drugs). Those who take Dan Shi will suffer from abdominal knotting and pain if they consume it.

[Indications] Moistens the five Zang organs, stops thirst, opens the stomach, treats chronic Pi syndrome causing alternating chills and fever, and women's blood masses. It is suitable to be eaten after boiling. Resolves alcohol intoxication (Hongjing).

[Elucidation] Li Shizhen stated: According to Gao Wu's *Douzhen Zhengzong*, folklore says that Gelī and other seafood can trigger rashes, often damaging the Spleen and Stomach, generating phlegm, causing vomiting, and diarrhea. This is merely joking and bringing harm upon oneself. It is also said that for pox toxins entering the eyes, Gelī juice can replace Kong Qing (Azurite). Kong Qing forms from the essence of copper, is cold in nature, and can treat red eyes. However, if pox toxin is caused by toxic vapors rushing upward from the Zang-Fu organs, Kong Qing cannot treat it. Although Gelī is cold, there is fire within its dampness; this must be known.

Gelī Fen (Clam Shell Powder)

[Names] Hai Ge Fen (Sea Clam Powder).
Li Shizhen stated: Hai Ge Fen refers to the powder of various clams from the sea, distinguished from the clam powder and mussel powder of rivers and lakes. Nowadays, people refer to it simply as Hai Fen or Ge Fen, which is what Kou described as "ash of various clams." In recent times, only Gelī Fen is used medicinally, but vendors often mix in other clams. Generally, mussels, clams, ark shells, and oysters from the sea have salty and cold properties, not far apart. Their functions are softening and dispersing, with minor differences but major similarities. Unlike river and lake mussels and clams, which lack saltwater immersion and can only clear heat and promote dampness, these marine shells differ. There is currently a type in pharmacies resembling thread noodles, called Hai Fen, which rots easily in water. This is likely later generations selling goods under a false name. However, since it comes from sand and stones in the sea, its function can also resolve phlegm and soften hardness.

[Processing] Zhenheng stated: Ge Fen is made by burning Gelī shells into powder and is not used in decoctions.
Li Shizhen stated: According to Wu Qiu, whenever using Ge Fen, take the shells of purple-lipped clams, calcine them over charcoal fire, grind them together with ripe Trichosanthes fruit including seeds, form into pellets, dry in the wind, and use. This is best.

[Correction of Errors] Ji stated: Danxi said: Ge Fen is exactly Hai Shi (Sea Stone). Kou annotated Hai Shi as Ge Fen, implying the two substances can be used interchangeably. Hai Shi is Haige, and Ge Fen is burned Gelī shell.
Li Shizhen stated: Hai Shi is floating stone from the sea, detailed in the Mineral section. Wang falsely cited Zhu and Kou's theories as evidence, and Chen Jiamo's *Bencao* cited it again. Now examining the original books of both gentlemen, there is no such statement. We correct this error now.

[Properties and Flavor] Salty, cold, non-toxic.

[Indications] Hot phlegm, damp phlegm, old phlegm, stubborn phlegm, hernia, white turbidity, and leukorrhea. Mixed with Cyperi Rhizoma powder and ginger juice, taken internally, it treats heart pain (Zhenheng).
Clears heat and promotes dampness, resolves phlegm-fluids, calms wheezing and cough, stops vomiting and reflux, reduces edema, promotes urination, stops seminal emission and white turbidity, treats heart and spleen pain, dissolves accumulations, resolves Qi stagnation, eliminates goiters, disperses swelling and toxicity, treats women's blood diseases. Mixed with oil, applied topically to scalds and burns (Li Shizhen).

[Elucidation]
Zhenheng stated: Ge Fen can descend and dissipate, soften and dry.
Li Shizhen stated: Cold controls fire, and salty moistens downward, thus it can descend. Cold clears heat, and salty enters the blood, thus it can dissipate. Hardness is softened by salty, taking advantage of its association with Water and moist nature. Dampness is dried by percolation, taking advantage of its transformation by fire and ability to promote urination.
Haoguo stated: Ge Fen is a medicine for the Blood aspect of the Kidney channel, thus it treats damp cough and Kidney slipping disorders.

[Attached Prescriptions] Four new prescriptions.
Qi Deficiency Edema: Formerly, Chen Tong, an official in the Chuzhou wine warehouse, suffered from severe edema nearing death, and all physicians failed to treat him. An old woman instructed him to crush ten garlic cloves into a paste, add Ge Fen, and form pills the size of wutze (wu berry). Before each meal, take twenty pills with plain warm water. After finishing the course, he urinated several buckets full and recovered. (*Pujifang*)
Heart Qi Pain: Use pure Ge Fen sifted to whiteness, assisted by equal parts of Cyperi Rhizoma powder, taken with quenched plain warm water. (*Shenghui Fang*)
White Turbidity and Seminal Emission: Jiegou said: Yang excess and Yin deficiency cause seminal emission; Zhenzhu Wan (Pearl Pill) is indicated.
Use Ge Fen [missing character] one jin, Huangbai (stir-fried on a new tile) one jin, grind into fine powder, make pills with plain water the size of wutze. Take one hundred pills each time, on an empty stomach with warm wine, twice daily. Ge Fen is salty and can tonify Kidney Yin; Huangbai is bitter and descends Heart Fire.
Nyctalopia (Night Blindness): Calcine pure Ge Fen until yellow, grind into powder, mix with oil and wax, form pills the size of soap beans, insert into pig kidneys, tie tightly with hemp, steam, and eat. Take once a day. (*Rumen Shiqin*)