Introduction of Wa Leng Zi:Arc Shell or Concha Arcae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Arc Shell, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its source three shellfish species, ①.Arca subcrenata Lischke., ②.Arca granosa Linnaeus., ③.Arca inflata Reeve., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these three shellfish species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these three shellfish species, the features of the herb Arc Shell, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Concha Arcae(Arc Shell).
Pin Yin Name: Wǎ Lénɡ Zǐ.
English Name: Arc Shell.
Latin Name: Concha Arcae.
Property and flavor: neutral in nature, tastes salty.
Brief introduction: The Herb Concha Arcae is the shell of Arca subcrenata Lischke, Arca granosa L., or Arca inflata Reeve, used to eliminate phlegm and soften hard lumps for treating scrofula and goiter. The herb is commonly known as Concha Arcae, Arc Shell, Wǎ Lénɡ Zǐ.
Animal source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Concha Arcae (Arc Shell) as the shell of the species (1). Arca subcrenata Lischke., (2). Arca granosa Linnaeus., (3). Arca inflata Reeve. They are species of the Scapharca genus, the Arcidae family of the Taxodonta order. These 3 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Arca subcrenata Lischke.
Animal description: Arca subcrenata Lischke is commonly known as Scapharca subcrenata (Lischke), or Máo Hān, Máo Gé, Xiě Bàng, a species of the Scapharca genus, the Arcidae family of the Taxodonta order. The shell is long oval, solid and thick, the shell length is about 54 mm, and the height is about 46 mm, the two shells are extremely expanded, the width is 3/4-4/5 the height, and the right shell is slightly smaller than the left shell, the two ends of the dorsal surface are slightly angular, the tip of the shell is slightly anterior, the distance between the tips of the two shells is medium. 30-35 radial ribs on the shell surface, rib convex is denser, are small square nodules, more distinct on the left shell. The shell surface is covered with a tan (chocolate brown) villiform hull, and the cuticle is often easily teared and falls off, making the shell surface often white. The inner surface of the shell is white or sallow (grayish-yellow), and the edges have teeth and grooves corresponding to the radial ribs on the shell surface. The hinge part is straight, with about 50 hinge teeth, the middle hinge teeth are small and dense; the ambilateral hinge teeth are large and sparse. The marks of the front adductor muscle are slightly small and horseshoe-shaped (U-shaped) and the marks of the rear adductor muscle are oval (egg-shaped).
Ecological environment: The shellfish lives in the intertidal zone to the gillo arenaceous seabed in a depth of 4~20 meters, it prefers slight freshwater inflow near the estuary. As a marine economic shellfish, it is distributed in the western Pacific Northeast Asia, the coast of China. In China, it is mainly distributed from the Yalu River in the north to Guangxi in the south. Laizhou Bay, Bohai bay, Liaodong bay, Haizhou bay, and are particularly rich in other shallow-water resources. The edible shellfish has higher vitamin B12 content.
Life habits: These three mollusks are common species in coastal areas. They like to live in the inner bays where the tidal current is smooth and the freshwater infuses, and in the soft mudflats near rivers. It feeds on algae and has strong adaptability to salinity and temperature in natural sea areas. The Arca subcrenata Lischke is dioecious and begins to spawn when the natural water temperature is around 25 °C (Celsius, or 77 degrees Fahrenheit), and 27 °C (Celsius, or 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit) is the peak period of reproduction. Sperm and egg are fertilized in seawater.
Characters of herbs: The shell is short and wide, 2~4.5 cm long, and 1.5~4 cm wide, with 30~34 radial ribs, small nodules growing on the ribs, and hairy hulls on the surface. There are about 50 hinge teeth.
(2).Arca granosa Linnaeus.
Animal description: Arca granosa Linnaeus is also known as Tegillarca granosa (Linnaeus), commonly known as Ní Hān, or Huī Gé (gray clam), a species of the Anadara genus, the Arcidae family of the Taxodonta order. Its shell is oval (egg-shaped), very firm and thick, shell length is about 43 mm, height is about 36 mm, the two shells are quite expansive, and the width is slightly less than the height. The distance between the tips of the two shells is relatively far, and the radial ribs on the shell surface are developed, a total of 18~21 ribs, the rib has very distinct intermittent granular nodules, and the part of nodules on the shell edge is not very distinct, the inner surface of the shell is ash gray (grayish white), the edge has a deep groove corresponding to the radial ribs on the shell surface. The hinge part is straight, about 40 hinge teeth. The trace of the front adductor muscle (front adductor scar) is small and triangular. The trace of the rear adductor muscle(rear adductor scar) is large, and nearly square. Heme is contained in blood, and shows red, because this is called blood cockles.
Ecological environment: The shellfish lives in the soft mud beach in the middle and lower part of the humid zone, and the submersible mud is about 70 mm deep. Arca granosa is widely distributed in the western Pacific Ocean and lives in the soft mudflats in the intertidal zone of the inner bay. The spawning season is from August to October. Besides, it is cultured artificially in Hebei, Zhejiang, and Guangdong of China, the yield is quite abundant. The yield of Arca granosa in the world is mainly produced in the coastal countries of Southeast Asia.
Life habits: These three mollusks are common species in coastal areas. They like to live in the inner bays where the tidal current is smooth and the freshwater infuses, and in the soft mudflats near rivers. It feeds on algae and has strong adaptability to salinity and temperature in natural sea areas. The Arca granosa Linnaeus is a type of multiple oviposition. Ovulation occurs 4~5 times a year in natural Marine areas. The fertilized eggs go through the larval stage of basilar larva and disc larva, and metamorphose into larvae attached to the seafloor in about 2~3 weeks.
Arca granosa Linnaeus prefers to live on the soft mud mudflats near the inner bay and estuary where freshwater is injected, and the number of Arca granosa Linnaeus is the most at the junction of the middle tide area and the low tide area, where it is buried. There is no water pipe, only the rear edge of the shell forms water holes on the surface of the beach and communicates with the outside world. The applicable salinity range is 10~28.8, and the water temperature is 0~35 °C (Celsius, or 32~95 degrees Fahrenheit). Arca granosa is a filter-feeding shellfish which feeds on diatoms and organic debris. The shellfish is hermaphroditic, and the reproductive season is from July to September in general.
Characters of herbs: The shell is small, 2~4.5 cm long, 1.5~4 cm wide, and 18~20 radial ribs, which are composed of intermittent granular protrusions. There are about 40 hinge teeth.
(3).Arca inflata Reeve.
Animal description: Arca inflata Reeve is also known as Scapharca inflata (Reeve), is commonly known as Arca inflata, Scapharca broughtonii, Kuí Hān, Dà Máo Gé, a species of the Anadara genus, the Arcidae family of the Taxodonta order. The shell is obliquely ovate, firm and thick. In general, the shell is 80~104 mm long, 62~85 mm high, and the large one is up to 122 mm long, and 102 mm high. The two shells are clasped, the left shell is slightly bigger than the right shell, and extremely swollen, the tip of the shell is protruding, recurved (curve inward), slightly exceeding the ligament area. The ligament is fusiform, and has black brown thick corneous skin. The two sides of the dorsum are slightly obtuse, and the front edge of the shell and edges of the skin are circular (round). The hinder margin (posterior margin) extends to a truncated shape. Radial ribs are wide, smooth and neat, have no obvious nodules, about 42~48, more common 43~44, and the yearly ring (annual zone) is distinct, the shell surface is white, covered with tan (chocolate brown) fluffy hulls, the hull on the tip of the shell often fall off, and make the shell tip turning white. The inner surface of the shell is white, the hinge part is straight, 60-70 hinge teeth, the hinge teeth of the middle part are small and upright, and the hinge teeth on both sides gradually turn big and inclined. The adductor scar is distinct, the anterior adductor scar is small, and oval (egg-shaped); the rear adductor scar is big and pyriform (pear-shaped), the pallial scar is distinct, the gill (branchia) is yellow-red. The shell margin is thick, and has dentate protrusions (dentation) corresponding to the radial rib groove.
Ecological environment: The shellfish lives in the subtidal zone, in deep ooze mud or gillo arenaceous seabed of 5 meters to 10~30 meters depth, the intertidal zone between the rock seam. The coastal areas of Dalian and Dandong in the north of the Yellow Sea are the main production areas in China.
Life habits: These three mollusks are common species in coastal areas. They like to live in the inner bays where the tidal current is smooth and the freshwater infuses, and in the soft mudflats near rivers. It feeds on algae and has strong adaptability to salinity and temperature in natural sea areas.
Characters of herbs: The shell is oblique oval, the left shell and right shell are the same shapes, and the left shell is slightly bigger than the right shell. The length is about 8 cm, and the width is about 6 cm. The dorsum is protuberant, there are 42~48 straight ridges (radial ribs) on the back, in rows of roof tiles, with obvious radiating ridges from the tip to the periphery, alternation of taupe (grayish-brown) and white, no distinct nodules, and are covered with brown fine hairs. The inner surface of the shell is cream-white and smooth, and the upper edge of the shell has concaves corresponding to the rib marks, forming about 70 protruding serrate (hinge teeth). The texture of the shell is firm and hard, can be smashed, and the fracture surface is white. The herb has no odor and has a mild taste.
Pharmacological actions: The calcium carbonate in the herb Concha Arcae has the function of neutralizing gastric acid.
Medicinal efficacy: Reduce phlegm and dissolving accumulated stasis of blood, soften hard lumps and dispel nodes, eliminating stasis to activate blood circulation, removing food retention (or removing Qi stagnation), relieving gastric hyperacidity to alleviate stomachache. It is indicated for obstinate phlegm binding or agglutination, obstinate phlegm and chronic cough, sticky thick phlegm and hard to spit out, retention of phlegm, gastralgia (stomachache or stomach pain), gastric upset, gastralgia and acid regurgitation, abdominal mass and a lump in the abdomen, galls, scrofula (crewels, lymphoid tuberculosis), gingival malnutrition (ulcerative gingivitis), wound bleeding, chilblain (chimatlon, bugantia), scald and burn, etc.
Administration of Concha Arcae (Wǎ Lénɡ Zǐ):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Concha Arcae (Wǎ Lénɡ Zǐ)
TCM Books:
①.Internally: 9~15 grams; ②.Internally:water decoction (better over-boiled or boil for long time), 3~5 qian (about 9~15 grams);or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:prepare to finely ground herb powder, mixed and apply stick; ③.Internally:water decoction, 9~15 grams, better break into pieces to decoct;prepare to finely ground herb powder,1~3 grams each time;or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:proper amount, calcined the herb and prepare to finely ground herb powder, mixed and apply stick.
Concha Arcae Usta(Calcined Arc Shell).
Pin Yin Name: Duàn Wǎ Lénɡ.
English Name: Calcined Arc Shell.
Latin Name: Concha Arcae Usta.
Property and flavor: neutral nature, tastes salty.
Brief introduction: The Herb Concha Arcae Usta is the calcined shell of Arca subcrenata Lischke, Arca granosa L. or Arca inflata Reeve (family Arcidae), used as an antacid agent for the treatment of acid regurgitation. It is commonly known as Concha Arcae Usta, Calcined Arc Shell, Duàn Wǎ Lénɡ.
Common official herbal book and other famous herbal books defined the herb Concha Arcae Usta (Calcined Arc Shell) as the calcined shell of the species (1). Arca subcrenata Lischke.,(2). Arca granosa Linnaeus.,(3).Arca inflata Reeve. They are introduced in the last entry "Concha Arcae(Arc Shell)".
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1.Introduction of Wa Leng Zi:Arc Shell or Concha Arcae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Arc Shell, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its source three shellfish species, ①.Arca subcrenata Lischke., ②.Arca granosa Linnaeus., ③.Arca inflata Reeve., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of these three shellfish species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of these three shellfish species, the features of the herb Arc Shell, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Wǎ Lénɡ Zǐ.
Animal description: Arca subcrenata Lischke is commonly known as Scapharca subcrenata (Lischke), or Máo Hān, Máo Gé, Xiě Bàng, a species of the Scapharca genus, the Arcidae family of the Taxodonta order. The shell is long oval, solid and thick, the shell length is about 54 mm, and the height is about 46 mm, the two shells are extremely expanded, the width is 3/4-4/5 the height, and the right shell is slightly smaller than the left shell, the two ends of the dorsal surface are slightly angular, the tip of the shell is slightly anterior, the distance between the tips of the two shells is medium. 30-35 radial ribs on the shell surface, rib convex is denser, are small square nodules, more distinct on the left shell. The shell surface is covered with a tan (chocolate brown) villiform hull, and the cuticle is often easily teared and falls off, making the shell surface often white. The inner surface of the shell is white or sallow (grayish-yellow), and the edges have teeth and grooves corresponding to the radial ribs on the shell surface. The hinge part is straight, with about 50 hinge teeth, the middle hinge teeth are small and dense; the ambilateral hinge teeth are large and sparse. The marks of the front adductor muscle are slightly small and horseshoe-shaped (U-shaped) and the marks of the rear adductor muscle are oval (egg-shaped).
Ecological environment: The shellfish lives in the intertidal zone to the gillo arenaceous seabed in a depth of 4~20 meters, it prefers slight freshwater inflow near the estuary. As a marine economic shellfish, it is distributed in the western Pacific Northeast Asia, the coast of China. In China, it is mainly distributed from the Yalu River in the north to Guangxi in the south. Laizhou Bay, Bohai bay, Liaodong bay, Haizhou bay, and are particularly rich in other shallow-water resources. The edible shellfish has higher vitamin B12 content.
Characters of herbs: The shell is short and wide, 2~4.5 cm long, and 1.5~4 cm wide, with 30~34 radial ribs, small nodules growing on the ribs, and hairy hulls on the surface. There are about 50 hinge teeth.
Animal description: Arca granosa Linnaeus is also known as Tegillarca granosa (Linnaeus), commonly known as Ní Hān, or Huī Gé (gray clam), a species of the Anadara genus, the Arcidae family of the Taxodonta order. Its shell is oval (egg-shaped), very firm and thick, shell length is about 43 mm, height is about 36 mm, the two shells are quite expansive, and the width is slightly less than the height. The distance between the tips of the two shells is relatively far, and the radial ribs on the shell surface are developed, a total of 18~21 ribs, the rib has very distinct intermittent granular nodules, and the part of nodules on the shell edge is not very distinct, the inner surface of the shell is ash gray (grayish white), the edge has a deep groove corresponding to the radial ribs on the shell surface. The hinge part is straight, about 40 hinge teeth. The trace of the front adductor muscle (front adductor scar) is small and triangular. The trace of the rear adductor muscle(rear adductor scar) is large, and nearly square. Heme is contained in blood, and shows red, because this is called blood cockles.
Ecological environment: The shellfish lives in the soft mud beach in the middle and lower part of the humid zone, and the submersible mud is about 70 mm deep. Arca granosa is widely distributed in the western Pacific Ocean and lives in the soft mudflats in the intertidal zone of the inner bay. The spawning season is from August to October. Besides, it is cultured artificially in Hebei, Zhejiang, and Guangdong of China, the yield is quite abundant. The yield of Arca granosa in the world is mainly produced in the coastal countries of Southeast Asia.
Arca granosa Linnaeus prefers to live on the soft mud mudflats near the inner bay and estuary where freshwater is injected, and the number of Arca granosa Linnaeus is the most at the junction of the middle tide area and the low tide area, where it is buried. There is no water pipe, only the rear edge of the shell forms water holes on the surface of the beach and communicates with the outside world. The applicable salinity range is 10~28.8, and the water temperature is 0~35 °C (Celsius, or 32~95 degrees Fahrenheit). Arca granosa is a filter-feeding shellfish which feeds on diatoms and organic debris. The shellfish is hermaphroditic, and the reproductive season is from July to September in general.
Animal description: Arca inflata Reeve is also known as Scapharca inflata (Reeve), is commonly known as Arca inflata, Scapharca broughtonii, Kuí Hān, Dà Máo Gé, a species of the Anadara genus, the Arcidae family of the Taxodonta order. The shell is obliquely ovate, firm and thick. In general, the shell is 80~104 mm long, 62~85 mm high, and the large one is up to 122 mm long, and 102 mm high. The two shells are clasped, the left shell is slightly bigger than the right shell, and extremely swollen, the tip of the shell is protruding, recurved (curve inward), slightly exceeding the ligament area. The ligament is fusiform, and has black brown thick corneous skin. The two sides of the dorsum are slightly obtuse, and the front edge of the shell and edges of the skin are circular (round). The hinder margin (posterior margin) extends to a truncated shape. Radial ribs are wide, smooth and neat, have no obvious nodules, about 42~48, more common 43~44, and the yearly ring (annual zone) is distinct, the shell surface is white, covered with tan (chocolate brown) fluffy hulls, the hull on the tip of the shell often fall off, and make the shell tip turning white. The inner surface of the shell is white, the hinge part is straight, 60-70 hinge teeth, the hinge teeth of the middle part are small and upright, and the hinge teeth on both sides gradually turn big and inclined. The adductor scar is distinct, the anterior adductor scar is small, and oval (egg-shaped); the rear adductor scar is big and pyriform (pear-shaped), the pallial scar is distinct, the gill (branchia) is yellow-red. The shell margin is thick, and has dentate protrusions (dentation) corresponding to the radial rib groove.
Ecological environment: The shellfish lives in the subtidal zone, in deep ooze mud or gillo arenaceous seabed of 5 meters to 10~30 meters depth, the intertidal zone between the rock seam. The coastal areas of Dalian and Dandong in the north of the Yellow Sea are the main production areas in China.
Characters of herbs: The shell is oblique oval, the left shell and right shell are the same shapes, and the left shell is slightly bigger than the right shell. The length is about 8 cm, and the width is about 6 cm. The dorsum is protuberant, there are 42~48 straight ridges (radial ribs) on the back, in rows of roof tiles, with obvious radiating ridges from the tip to the periphery, alternation of taupe (grayish-brown) and white, no distinct nodules, and are covered with brown fine hairs. The inner surface of the shell is cream-white and smooth, and the upper edge of the shell has concaves corresponding to the rib marks, forming about 70 protruding serrate (hinge teeth). The texture of the shell is firm and hard, can be smashed, and the fracture surface is white. The herb has no odor and has a mild taste.
Pin Yin Name: Duàn Wǎ Lénɡ.
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