Wa Leng Zi瓦楞子
Arcae Concha · Ark Shell · Cockle Shell
Overview
The ribbed shell of the ark clam — a mineral medicine rather than a plant one — washed, dried and crushed before use. Salty and neutral, it works on what has become hard: firm phlegm nodules in the neck, palpable abdominal masses, and the congealed old phlegm that ordinary phlegm herbs will not shift. The processed forms diverge in use. Calcined until brittle, it becomes chalky and alkaline, and in that form is chosen above all for stomach pain with sour reflux; vinegar-fried, it is directed further into the Liver blood to break masses. All forms are crushed and decocted ahead of the other ingredients.
Nature & Flavor
Salty · NeutralChannels
Lung · Stomach · LiverTypical Dosage
10–15 g in decoctionActions
3 core actions
- Transforms phlegm, softens hardnessGoitre, scrofulous neck nodules and other firm phlegm lumps that have been present a long time.
- Dissipates masses, moves congealed bloodPalpable abdominal masses where old stasis and phlegm have knotted together — the vinegar-fried shell is preferred here.
- Controls acid, stops painBurning stomach pain with sour reflux and belching; the calcined shell is the form used, powdered and taken before meals.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Wa Leng Zi
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Goitre and firm nodules of the neck; scrofula
- Long-standing palpable abdominal masses
- Stomach pain with sour reflux and belching
- Stubborn, sticky phlegm that will not clear
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
A herb for accumulation: where there is nothing hard to soften it simply burdens digestion, and it is unsuitable in a weak, cold Stomach without excess. Always crush it and decoct it first, twenty to thirty minutes ahead of the other ingredients, or it gives up nothing to the water. The calcined powder is alkaline and can interfere with the absorption of medicines taken at the same time — leave roughly two hours around prescription drugs and tell your practitioner and your doctor what you are taking. Reflux that persists, or pain with weight loss, black stools or vomiting, needs endoscopy and a conventional diagnosis rather than ongoing symptomatic acid control.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
3. 《中药大辞典》.
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.