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Cura x Cura

Ge Qiao蛤壳

Meretricis seu Cyclinae Concha · Clam Shell · Cyclina Shell

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing 化痰止咳平喘药Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》(recorded as 海蛤)

Overview

Crushed clam shell — bitter, salty, cold and heavy. It clears heat from the Lung and thins phlegm that is too sticky to bring up, and its saltiness softens the hard phlegm nodules of scrofula and goitre. Calcined and powdered it turns into an antacid for burning epigastric pain. Being mineral, it is decocted before the other herbs.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, salty · Cold

Channels

Lung · Stomach

Typical Dosage

9–15 g, decocted first; 1–3 g of the powder when taken directly
蛤壳Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears the Lung, transforms phlegmCough with thick, sticky yellow sputum that is hard to expectorate, and chest oppression from phlegm-heat.
  • Softens hardness, dissipates nodulesScrofula, goitre and phlegm nodules — traditionally with Hai Zao and Kun Bu.
  • Controls acid, stops painThe calcined shell, powdered, for burning epigastric pain and acid regurgitation.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ge Qiao

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Cough with thick sticky phlegm from Lung heat
    - Chest oppression with phlegm-heat
    - Scrofula, goitre and phlegm nodules
    - Acid reflux and burning epigastric pain (calcined)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

BronchitisThyroid nodulesLymphadenopathyAcid reflux

Contraindications

Cautions

Cold and heavy: not for cough from cold phlegm, and not for weak, cold digestion. This is a shellfish-derived material — avoid it in patients with shellfish allergy. Crush and decoct it ahead of the other herbs, or it gives up little. Where a lump, a goitre or a persistent swollen node is present, it must be investigated medically as well as treated.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.