Introduction of Mu Li:Oyster Shell or Concha Ostreae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Oyster Shell, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its source three shellfish species, ①.Ostrea gigas Thunberg., ②.Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse., ③.Ostrea rivularis Gould., and a fourth usable shellfish species, ④.Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke., with a detailed introduction to the features of these four shellfish species, the life habits, and ecological environment of these four shellfish species, the features of the herb Oyster Shell, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Concha Ostreae(Oyster Shell).
Pin Yin Name: Mǔ Lì.
English Name: Oyster Shell.
Latin Name: Concha Ostreae.
Property and flavor: slightly cold nature, tastes salty.
Brief introduction: The herb Concha Ostreae is the shell of Ostrea gigas Thunb., Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse, or Ostrea rivularis Gould, used (1).as a settling tranquilizer for the treatment of headache, dizziness, palpitation, and insomnia, and (2).to soften and disperse hard lumps in cases of scrofula. The herb is commonly known as Concha Ostreae, Oyster Shell, Mǔ Lì.
Source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Concha Ostreae (Mu Li) as the conch or shell of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) shellfish species (1). Ostrea gigas Thunberg., or (2). Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse., or (3). Ostrea rivularis Gould. Other famous herbal classics noted a 4th source of the Concha Ostreae as the concha or shell of (4). Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke. There are many types of oysters. According to statistics, there are more than 100 kinds of species found in the world, distributes in tropical and temperate regions, along the coast of China, oysters are widely distributed. In recent years, the cultivation of oysters develops rapidly. These 4 commonly used species are introduced:
(1).Ostrea gigas Thunberg.
Shellfish Description: Ostrea gigas Thunberg is a shellfish of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) and Crassostrea genus, it is commonly known as Ostrea gigas, Long Oyster, or Chang Mu Li (means long oyster), the local names are Hao, Bai Hao, Hai Li Zi, etc. The Ostrea gigas shells are long strips and have relatively thin shells, firm and thick. The shell length is about 3 times the shell height, generally, the shells are 140–330 mm long, and 57–115 mm high; the known biggest shell reaches 722 mm long. The left shell is slightly concave, the attachment surface on the apex of the shell is small, the right shell is flat as a cover, the dorsal brim and ventrolateral edge are nearly parallel, and the shell surface is mauve (lilac), ash gray (grayish-white), or tawny (yellow brown). Dilute scales grow and are arranged circularly along the shell apex to posterior margin, slightly undulated, layers are very few; and there are no distinct radial ribs. The shell's inner surface is porcelain white; the ligament fossa is long, wide, and big; and the marks of adductor muscle are big, located on the back side of the shell, and brown horseshoe-shaped (U-shaped).
Ecological Environment: Ostrea gigas Thunberg inhabits in mudflats and gillo arenaceous bottoms that are more than 10 meters deep between the intertidal zone and subtidal line, and are fixed on the rocks with their left shells. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the coastal areas of China, mainly in Guangdong province, one of the main cultured species on the southern coast. The shellfish in normal seawater are small; the shellfish in low-salinity seawater are big. It is distributed along the seas of China's coastal areas, and is a fine species in the estuaries and inner bays.
Characters of herbs: The shell of Ostrea gigas: The oyster is in the shape of a longflake, dorsal brim and ventrolateral edge are nearly parallel, 10~50 cm long, and 4~15 cm high. The right shell is small, and the scales are firm and thick, arranged in layers or mellar. The outer shell is flat or has several indentations, it is mauve (lilac), ash gray (grayish-white), or tawny (yellow brown), the shell's inner surface is porcelain white, and there are no small teeth on both sides of the apex of the shell. The left shell is deeply concave, the scales (squama) are thicker and bigger than the scales on the right shell, and the attachment surface on the apex of the shell is smaller. The texture of the shell is hard, and the fracture surface is layered, pure white. The herb has a slight odor, and it tastes slightly salty.
(2).Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse.
Shellfish Description: Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse is a shellfish of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) and Crassostrea genus, it is commonly known as Ostrea talienwhanensis, or Dalianwan Mu Li (means Oyster of Dalian bay), shells are slightly triangular, with large and medium shells, shells are firm and thick, generally 55–63 mm long, 95–130 mm high, apex of the shell is pointed, gradually widening backward. The right shell is flat, and cover-like, the scales on the apex of the shell tend to close up and become thicker; the scales toward the ventrolateral edge gradually turn loose, ups and downs, are undulated, and have no obvious radial ribs. The shell surface is faint yellow (pale yellow), mixed with puce (purple brown) markings, the left shell is protuberant, there are several stout radial ribs from the tip; and the scales on the marginal ribs are firm and thick, tilted. The shell's inner surface is sunken and box-like, white, the hinged part is small, and the ligament fossa is long and deep, a long triangle shape. The marks of the adductor muscle are white or purplish, and located at the rear part of the back.
Ecological Environment: Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse inhabits the bottom of waters near the subtidal line to a depth of about 20 meters, and water storage places in the intertidal zone, on rocky reefs, where salinity adaptability is high. The byssus is degraded, and it lives permanently on rocks and other objects. The left shell is fixed, and the right shell can be opened and closed. It likes to live together in clusters. The breeding period is from June to August. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea of China, and is mainly produced in the area near the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea.
Characters of herbs: Shell of Ostrea talienwhanensis: The oyster is nearly triangular, dorsal brim and ventrolateral edge are splayed. The outer surface of the right shell is faint yellow (pale yellow), has loose concentric scales, the scales are up and down, and wavy, and the shell's inner surface is white. The concentric scales of the left shell are firm and thick, several radial ribs from the apex of the shell, are distinct, the shell's inner surface is concave and box-like, and the hinged surface is small. The thickness of the fracture surface is 0.3~13 mm, the layers are inconspicuous, and the corneum overlaps.
(3).Ostrea rivularis Gould.
Shellfish Description: Ostrea rivularis Gould is a shellfish of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) and Crassostrea genus, it is commonly known as Ostrea rivularis, or Jin Jiang Mu Li, its local name is Da Hao, etc. It is generally circular(round), oval (egg-shaped), triangular, or slightly long, shells are firm and thick, the bigger shells are 100–242 mm long, and 70–150 mm high, the left shell is bigger and thick, the back is attachment surface, irregular shape. The right shell is slightly flat, smaller than the left shell, with thin and straight scales on the surface, tawny (yellow brown) or dull purple (dark violet), the shellfishes of 1–2 years old, scales are flat, thin, and crisp, sometimes the edges are dissociative (free); in the shellfishes of 2 years to several years, scales are flat, sometimes the posterior margin is up and down and slightly undulated; in the shellfishes of many years, scales overlap in layer upon layer, extremely firm and thick. The shell's inner surface is white or ash gray, and the edges are usually grayish purple, with sags and crests, the hinged part has no teeth, the ligament fossa is long and wide, horn-shaped, the ligament is atropurpureus (purple black). The marks of the adductor muscle are extremely big, located on the back side of the middle part, are faint yellow (pale yellow), shape is irregular, often changing with the shell shapes and being different, mostly oval (egg-shaped) or reniform.
Ecological Environment: Ostrea rivularis Gould inhabits areas near the subtidal line to the offshore place in the estuary of rivers where the water depth is up to 7 meters, and the salinity adaptability is 10‰~25‰. It lives at a fixed temperature, the suitable temperature ranges from 10 to 33 °C (Celsius, or 50~91.4 degrees Fahrenheit), omnivorous, and feeds on tiny planktons. Its breeding season is from May to September. This species mainly inhabits the inner bay near the estuary of rivers from the south to the north of China.
Characters of herbs: The shell of Ostrea rivularis: The oyster is round, oval (egg-shaped), triangular, etc. The left shell is concave, big, and thick; the right shell is flat, and slightly smaller, the outer surface of the right shell is slightly uneven, the appearance is gray, purple, brown, yellow, and other colors, concentric scales grow in circles. The scales of young shellfish are thin and crisp, and after many years of growth, the scales are thick and firm. The shell's inner surface is white, and the edges are sometimes mauve (lilac). The texture of the shell is hard, and the layers of the fracture surface are distinct, 2~10 mm thick. The herb is odorless, it tastes slightly salty.
(4).Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke.
Shellfish Description: Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke is a shellfish of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) and Crassostrea genus, it is commonly known as Ostrea denselamellosa, Dense lamellosa Oyster, Slipper Oyster, or Mi Ling Mu Li (means Oyster of dense scales). Shells are large and thick, circular (rounded) or oval (egg-shaped), shells are firm and thick, generally 46–122 mm long, and 58–138 mm high. The two shells are the same size. The left shell is bigger and sunken, and the apex of the shell is an attachment surface, often irregularly shaped. The scales on the apex of the right shell close up, and smooth, and the scales toward the ventrolateral edge grow in circles and gradually become denser, thin, crisp, and flaky, imbricate densely and closely, have many radial ribs, and make the ventrolateral edge undulated (wavy), the shell surface is gray-blue and mixed with puce (purple brown). The shell's inner surface is white, slightly has nacreous luster(pearly lustre). Both sides of the hinge often have one row of toothlets, about 5-8. The ligament fossa is short and triangular. The marks of the adductor muscle are big.
Ecological Environment: Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke lives in offshore places and on rocky reefs, it mainly inhabits the coastal area from south to north of China, but more in the north coastal area.
Life habit: This species lives on rocky reefs at a depth of 15–30 meters underwater below the subtidal line, or gillo arenaceous (muddy and sandy) sea bottom, sometimes it is visible in places several meters below the subtidal line. The salinity adaptability is 27‰~34‰, its breeding season is from May to September. It starts to spawn (lay eggs) when the water temperature is around 17 to 19 °C (Celsius, or 62.6–66.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
Characters of herbs: The shell is round or oval (egg-shaped), bigger, the right shell is flat, the apex of the shell is smooth, and other parts have arranged thin and crisp scales. Firm and thick concentric scales grow in circles on the ventrolateral edge of the left shell, with thick and big radial ribs, and the shell surface is gray mixed with purple, brown, and cyan (blue-green). The shell's inner surface is white, slightly has a nacreous luster (pearly lustre). The marks of the adductor muscle are big and very distinct. The thickness of the fracture surface is 0.3–12 mm, and the laminated striation is obvious.
Pharmacological actions: ①.calcium salt in the herb functions anti-acid, mild analgesia, anti-inflammation, reducing muscle excitement, and inhibiting convulsion; ②.polysaccharide extracted from oyster has the functions of lowering blood lipid, anticoagulant, anti-thrombus, promoting immune function and anti-leukocytopenia; ③.the herb also has astringent, sedative, interpretive and analgesic effects; ④.the acid extract of oyster has an inhibitory effect on poliovirus in vivo.
Medicinal efficacy: Calm the liver and subdue yang (suppressing hyperactive liver and subsiding yang), tranquillization with heavy prescription, subdue yang and invigorating yin, collect Yin, antiperspirant action, collecting and inducing astringency, stopping seminal emission, dissolve phlegm, resolving hard lump (softening and resolving hard mass). It is indicated for palpitate with fear and insomnia, frightened epilepsy, dizziness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears), stranguria with turbid discharge, scrofula (lymphoid tuberculosis), gall, superficial nodule (sucutaneous nodule), abdominal mass, a lump in the abdomen. Calcined oyster shell collecting and stopping seminal emission, relieve pain, normally indicated for spontaneous perspiration and night sweat, spermatorrhea(nocturnal emission), night emission, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis(uterine bleeding), morbid leukorrhea, stomach pain and acid regurgitation, etc.
Administration of Concha Ostreae (Mǔ Lì):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Concha Ostreae (Mǔ Lì)
TCM Books:
①.Internally:9~30 grams, decoct earlier; ②.Internally:water decoction,0.3~1 liang (about 9~30 grams), or prepare to pill, powder. Externally:prepare to finely ground herb powder, sprinkle apply, apply stick or apply powder as squelette; ③.Internally:water decoction, 15~30 grams, decoct earlier;or prepared to pill, powder. Externally:proper amount, prepare to finely ground herb powder, sprinkle apply, or apply stick.
Contraindications,Precautions and Adverse Reactions: the herb Concha Ostreae should not be combined with Ma Huang, Fructus Evodiae, Flos Magnoliae, etc.
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1.Introduction of Mu Li:Oyster Shell or Concha Ostreae.
✵The article gives records of the herb Oyster Shell, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its source three shellfish species, ①.Ostrea gigas Thunberg., ②.Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse., ③.Ostrea rivularis Gould., and a fourth usable shellfish species, ④.Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke., with a detailed introduction to the features of these four shellfish species, the life habits, and ecological environment of these four shellfish species, the features of the herb Oyster Shell, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Pin Yin Name: Mǔ Lì.
Source: Herbal classic book defined the herb Concha Ostreae (Mu Li) as the conch or shell of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) shellfish species (1). Ostrea gigas Thunberg., or (2). Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse., or (3). Ostrea rivularis Gould. Other famous herbal classics noted a 4th source of the Concha Ostreae as the concha or shell of (4). Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke. There are many types of oysters. According to statistics, there are more than 100 kinds of species found in the world, distributes in tropical and temperate regions, along the coast of China, oysters are widely distributed. In recent years, the cultivation of oysters develops rapidly. These 4 commonly used species are introduced:
Shellfish Description: Ostrea gigas Thunberg is a shellfish of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) and Crassostrea genus, it is commonly known as Ostrea gigas, Long Oyster, or Chang Mu Li (means long oyster), the local names are Hao, Bai Hao, Hai Li Zi, etc. The Ostrea gigas shells are long strips and have relatively thin shells, firm and thick. The shell length is about 3 times the shell height, generally, the shells are 140–330 mm long, and 57–115 mm high; the known biggest shell reaches 722 mm long. The left shell is slightly concave, the attachment surface on the apex of the shell is small, the right shell is flat as a cover, the dorsal brim and ventrolateral edge are nearly parallel, and the shell surface is mauve (lilac), ash gray (grayish-white), or tawny (yellow brown). Dilute scales grow and are arranged circularly along the shell apex to posterior margin, slightly undulated, layers are very few; and there are no distinct radial ribs. The shell's inner surface is porcelain white; the ligament fossa is long, wide, and big; and the marks of adductor muscle are big, located on the back side of the shell, and brown horseshoe-shaped (U-shaped).
Ecological Environment: Ostrea gigas Thunberg inhabits in mudflats and gillo arenaceous bottoms that are more than 10 meters deep between the intertidal zone and subtidal line, and are fixed on the rocks with their left shells. Geographical distribution: This species is mainly distributed in the coastal areas of China, mainly in Guangdong province, one of the main cultured species on the southern coast. The shellfish in normal seawater are small; the shellfish in low-salinity seawater are big. It is distributed along the seas of China's coastal areas, and is a fine species in the estuaries and inner bays.
Characters of herbs: The shell of Ostrea gigas: The oyster is in the shape of a longflake, dorsal brim and ventrolateral edge are nearly parallel, 10~50 cm long, and 4~15 cm high. The right shell is small, and the scales are firm and thick, arranged in layers or mellar. The outer shell is flat or has several indentations, it is mauve (lilac), ash gray (grayish-white), or tawny (yellow brown), the shell's inner surface is porcelain white, and there are no small teeth on both sides of the apex of the shell. The left shell is deeply concave, the scales (squama) are thicker and bigger than the scales on the right shell, and the attachment surface on the apex of the shell is smaller. The texture of the shell is hard, and the fracture surface is layered, pure white. The herb has a slight odor, and it tastes slightly salty.
Shellfish Description: Ostrea talienwhanensis Crosse is a shellfish of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) and Crassostrea genus, it is commonly known as Ostrea talienwhanensis, or Dalianwan Mu Li (means Oyster of Dalian bay), shells are slightly triangular, with large and medium shells, shells are firm and thick, generally 55–63 mm long, 95–130 mm high, apex of the shell is pointed, gradually widening backward. The right shell is flat, and cover-like, the scales on the apex of the shell tend to close up and become thicker; the scales toward the ventrolateral edge gradually turn loose, ups and downs, are undulated, and have no obvious radial ribs. The shell surface is faint yellow (pale yellow), mixed with puce (purple brown) markings, the left shell is protuberant, there are several stout radial ribs from the tip; and the scales on the marginal ribs are firm and thick, tilted. The shell's inner surface is sunken and box-like, white, the hinged part is small, and the ligament fossa is long and deep, a long triangle shape. The marks of the adductor muscle are white or purplish, and located at the rear part of the back.
Shellfish Description: Ostrea rivularis Gould is a shellfish of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) and Crassostrea genus, it is commonly known as Ostrea rivularis, or Jin Jiang Mu Li, its local name is Da Hao, etc. It is generally circular(round), oval (egg-shaped), triangular, or slightly long, shells are firm and thick, the bigger shells are 100–242 mm long, and 70–150 mm high, the left shell is bigger and thick, the back is attachment surface, irregular shape. The right shell is slightly flat, smaller than the left shell, with thin and straight scales on the surface, tawny (yellow brown) or dull purple (dark violet), the shellfishes of 1–2 years old, scales are flat, thin, and crisp, sometimes the edges are dissociative (free); in the shellfishes of 2 years to several years, scales are flat, sometimes the posterior margin is up and down and slightly undulated; in the shellfishes of many years, scales overlap in layer upon layer, extremely firm and thick. The shell's inner surface is white or ash gray, and the edges are usually grayish purple, with sags and crests, the hinged part has no teeth, the ligament fossa is long and wide, horn-shaped, the ligament is atropurpureus (purple black). The marks of the adductor muscle are extremely big, located on the back side of the middle part, are faint yellow (pale yellow), shape is irregular, often changing with the shell shapes and being different, mostly oval (egg-shaped) or reniform.
Ecological Environment: Ostrea rivularis Gould inhabits areas near the subtidal line to the offshore place in the estuary of rivers where the water depth is up to 7 meters, and the salinity adaptability is 10‰~25‰. It lives at a fixed temperature, the suitable temperature ranges from 10 to 33 °C (Celsius, or 50~91.4 degrees Fahrenheit), omnivorous, and feeds on tiny planktons. Its breeding season is from May to September. This species mainly inhabits the inner bay near the estuary of rivers from the south to the north of China.
Characters of herbs: The shell of Ostrea rivularis: The oyster is round, oval (egg-shaped), triangular, etc. The left shell is concave, big, and thick; the right shell is flat, and slightly smaller, the outer surface of the right shell is slightly uneven, the appearance is gray, purple, brown, yellow, and other colors, concentric scales grow in circles. The scales of young shellfish are thin and crisp, and after many years of growth, the scales are thick and firm. The shell's inner surface is white, and the edges are sometimes mauve (lilac). The texture of the shell is hard, and the layers of the fracture surface are distinct, 2~10 mm thick. The herb is odorless, it tastes slightly salty.
Shellfish Description: Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke is a shellfish of the Ostreidae family (mollusk family) and Crassostrea genus, it is commonly known as Ostrea denselamellosa, Dense lamellosa Oyster, Slipper Oyster, or Mi Ling Mu Li (means Oyster of dense scales). Shells are large and thick, circular (rounded) or oval (egg-shaped), shells are firm and thick, generally 46–122 mm long, and 58–138 mm high. The two shells are the same size. The left shell is bigger and sunken, and the apex of the shell is an attachment surface, often irregularly shaped. The scales on the apex of the right shell close up, and smooth, and the scales toward the ventrolateral edge grow in circles and gradually become denser, thin, crisp, and flaky, imbricate densely and closely, have many radial ribs, and make the ventrolateral edge undulated (wavy), the shell surface is gray-blue and mixed with puce (purple brown). The shell's inner surface is white, slightly has nacreous luster(pearly lustre). Both sides of the hinge often have one row of toothlets, about 5-8. The ligament fossa is short and triangular. The marks of the adductor muscle are big.
Ecological Environment: Ostrea denselamellosa Lischke lives in offshore places and on rocky reefs, it mainly inhabits the coastal area from south to north of China, but more in the north coastal area.
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