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Cura x Cura

Zhen Zhu Mu珍珠母

Margaritiferae Concha · Mother-of-Pearl · Pearl Shell

Herbs that Pacify the Liver and Extinguish Wind 平肝息风药《本草图经》

Overview

The nacreous inner layer of pearl oyster and mussel shell — the same substance as pearl, available in bulk and at a fraction of the cost. Salty and cold, it is heavy enough to weigh down rising Liver yang and a restless spirit, and it clears the Liver to brighten the eyes. Being a hard shell it is crushed and decocted first, ahead of the other herbs. It is also mildly antacid, which is why it appears in prescriptions for reflux and burning epigastric pain.

Nature & Flavor

Salty · Cold

Channels

Liver · Heart

Typical Dosage

10–25 g in decoction
珍珠母Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Calms the Liver, anchors rising yangHeadache, dizziness, tinnitus and facial flushing from Liver yang rising, often alongside raised blood pressure.
  • Settles the spiritInsomnia, palpitations, irritability and dream-disturbed sleep.
  • Clears the Liver, brightens the eyesRed, dry or gritty eyes and blurred vision with Liver heat.
  • Controls acid, eases epigastric burningReflux and burning in the upper abdomen — a modern use resting on the shell's high calcium carbonate content.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Zhen Zhu Mu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Headache, dizziness and tinnitus from rising Liver yang
    - Insomnia, palpitations and irritability
    - Red, blurred or gritty eyes with Liver heat
    - Acid reflux and burning epigastric pain

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

HypertensionInsomniaTinnitusAcid refluxVertigo

Contraindications

Cautions

Heavy, cold and mineral: it burdens digestion, so it is avoided — or paired with warming, Spleen-supporting herbs — where the appetite is poor, the stools loose and the abdomen cold. It is the wrong choice for dizziness that comes from qi and blood deficiency rather than rising yang. Crush it and pre-decoct it; whole shell fragments dropped into a pot do very little. Do not exceed 30 g a day. Because it binds acid it can slow the absorption of medicines taken at the same time — leave a couple of hours between them.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

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.