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Oyster Shell (Muli, 牡蛎)
(Also known as Lige, 蛎蛤): Flavor salty, nature neutral and slightly cold. Non-toxic. Formed by the concretion of saline water, residing motionless by the seaside. (All things born from nature have male and female aspects; however, Oyster Shell is formed into blocks by saline water yet remains immobile. How can the Dao of Yin and Yang arise from this? The term "Mu" (Male) in the classic does not refer to masculinity, but carries the same meaning as "Mu" in Peony (Mudan, 牡丹).) Small ones resemble fist-sized stones, while large ones are steep and rugged like cliffs. (Initially smaller than a fist-sized stone, they grow gradually on all sides, reaching heights of two or three zhang, resembling steep cliffs.) The openings face upward, connected like rooms, with flesh hidden inside growing progressively with the structure of these rooms. (Each room contains a piece of oyster meat, the size of which grows proportionally with the room.) When sea tides arrive, all openings open wide. Small insects surge in, and the shells close to cover the abdomen. Fishermen wishing to harvest the meat drill into the rooms and use fire to force them open. (Drilling into the rooms with an awl and using fierce fire to force them open allows for the extraction of the meat.) For medicinal use, the shell and the operculum are removed. Collect parts that appear powdery; those that are large and "look to the left" are particularly excellent. (Interpretations of "looking to the left" vary among commentators. One view states: facing south, those with openings slanting eastward are correct. Another view states: those with pointed heads are correct. Neither has definitive evidence; only large specimens are considered superior.) Calcine until slightly red, pound into fine powder, and sieve. It is compatible with Cnidium Fruit (Shechuangzi, 蛇床子), Achyranthes Root (Niuxi, 牛膝), Licorice Root (Gancao, 甘草), and Polygala Root (Yuanzhi, 远志). It is incompatible with Evodia Fruit (Wuzhuyu, 吴茱萸), Ephedra Stem (Mahuang, 麻黄), and Magnolia Bud (Xinyi, 辛夷). It enters the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, with Fritillaria Bulb (Beimu, 贝母) as the guiding agent. It can soften accumulations and masses, primarily due to its salty flavor. Taken with tea infusion to dissipate tubercles and carbuncles; guided by Bupleurum Root (Chaihu, 柴胡) to remove hardness under the hypochondrium. Combined with Rhubarb (Dahuang, 大黄) to purge heat, swelling subsides immediately; combined with Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shudihuang, 熟地黄) to benefit essence, urinary incontinence can be controlled. Combined with Ephedra Root and Stem (Mahuanggen, 麻黄根) made into a powder, it miraculously consolidates yin and stops night sweats; combined with Eucommia Bark (Chuduzhong, 川杜仲) decocted as soup, it instantly secures spontaneous sweating. For deep-seated medullary abscesses with lethargy, Alisma Rhizome (Zexie, 泽泻) is used in adjusted formulas for frequent regulation. Alternatively, taken alone as fine powder mixed with honey and swallowed with water, it brightens the complexion and prevents infection by seasonal miasma. It resolves old blood stasis and eliminates chronic phlegm. It obliterates seminal emissions caused by demonic intercourse and astringes leukorrhea due to qi deficiency. The meat roasted until boiling, then shelled and eaten, is beneficial. Among marine creatures, it is also a premium item. It beautifies the complexion, refines the skin, tonifies deficiency and exhaustion, and regulates blood and qi. If eaten raw with ginger and vinegar, it dispels post-drinking thirst and irritability.