This product is the shell of the abalone species Haliotis diversicolor (Haliotis diversicolor Reeve), H. discus hannai (H. discus hannai Ino), H. ovna (H. ovna Gmelin), H. ruber (H. ruber (Leach)), H. asinina (H. asinina Linnaeus), or H. laevigata (H. laevigata (Donovan)). It is distributed in coastal areas such as Guangdong, Fujian, Liaoning, and Shandong. The abalones are caught in summer and autumn, the flesh is removed, the shells are washed, impurities are removed, and then dried. They are used raw or calcined. When used, they are crushed.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Salty, cold. Act on liver meridian.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Pacifying liver and subduing yang, clearing heat and improving vision.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang, dizziness, and dizzy vision. Abalone Shell is salty-cold, clearing heat, heavy in quality, subduing yang, specifically entering the liver meridian, and has the effects of calming liver yang and clearing liver heat, making it an essential medicine for cooling and calming the liver. It is used to treat liver-kidney yin deficiency and liver yang vertigo syndrome, often combined with Unprocessed Rehmannia Root 黃, Peony Root, oyster shell, and other yin-nourishing and liver-pacifying medicinals. For ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang accompanied by liver fire hyperactivity, dizziness, headache, dysphoria, and irritability, it can be used with Prunella, Uncaria, Chrysanthemum Flower, and other heat-clearing and liver-pacifying medicinals.
2. Used for red eyes, nebula, and blurred vision. The liver is connected to the eyes, and this product clears liver heat, improves vision, and reduces nebula, making it a common medicine for eye diseases. For treating up-flaming of liver fire with red, swollen, and painful eyes, it can be combined with Prunella, Cassia Seed, Chrysanthemum Flower, and other medicinals. For treating wind-heat red eyes and nebula membrane covering the eyes, it can be combined with Cicada Slough, Chrysanthemum Flower, Scouring Rush Herb, and other medicinals. For yin deficiency and blood deficiency causing dim vision and nyctalopia, it is often combined with Prepared Rehmannia Root 黃, Barbary Wolfberry Fruit 子, Dodder Seed, and other medicinals.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bielu: "The main symptom of nebula is eye pain, bluish blindness (optic atrophy)."
2. Yixue Zhongzhong Canxilu: "Abalone Shell has a slightly salty taste and a slightly cool nature, making it an essential medicine for cooling and calming the liver. The liver is associated with the eyes, hence its nature is good for improving vision. When finely ground with water and applied as a poultice, it can treat external ophthalmopathy; when taken internally in pill or powder form, it can alleviate internal visual obstruction. Because it can cool the liver and also calm the liver, it is effective in treating headaches and vertigo caused by congestion in the brain, as these conditions are often due to liver qi and liver fire driving blood upwards."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct 15-30g, crush before decocting. Use raw for calming and clearing liver heat, calcined for external eye application, and grind with water.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains over 90% calcium carbonate, approximately 3.67% organic matter, and trace amounts of magnesium, iron, silicates, phosphates, chlorides, and very small amounts of iodine. Upon calcination, the carbonate decomposes to produce calcium oxide, and the organic matter is destroyed. Abalone Shell has a calming effect and can neutralize excess stomach acid in the stomach.