English: Abalone shells
Chinese: 石决明
Use of Shi Jue Ming (abalone shells) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove the meat, wash the shell, dry it and crush it
Dosage: 9 - 30 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Clears Heat and calms ascending Liver Yang. Clears Liver Heat that is obstructing the vision.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Shi Jue Ming may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Headache Dizziness Vertigo Blurred vision Bloodshot eyes Photophobia
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those without true Heat signs.
Common TCM formulas in which Shi Jue Ming is used*
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Source date: 1958 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Formula key actions: Calms the Liver. Extinguishes wind. Invigorates the blood. Clears heat. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys.
Conditions targeted*: InsomniaHeadache and others
Shi Jue Ming is a deputy ingredient in Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin, Shi Jue Ming is heavy and salty. Similar to other seashells, it can anchor the rising Yang and calm the Liver. It is useful for treating headaches and dizziness due to Liver Yang rising. It is because it can guide Blood downward from the head by acting on Yang Qi.
E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Source date: the Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula key actions: Nourishes Yin. Nourishes Blood. Calms the Liver. Extinguishes Wind.
Conditions targeted*: EncephalitisMeningitis and others
Shi Jue Ming is an assistant ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, Shi Jue Ming sedates the rising Yang and extinguishes Wind.
Ming Mu Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1642 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Formula key actions: Nourishes the Liver. Enriches the Kidneys. Improves the vision.
Shi Jue Ming is an assistant ingredient in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, Shi Jue Ming calms the Liver Yang so as to brighten the eyes. It also stops bleeding.
Key TCM concepts behind Shi Jue Ming's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shi Jue Ming belongs to the 'Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors' category. These herbs are used to treat so-called 'hyperactive Liver Yang'. Concretely this translates into high blood pressure as well as seizures, spasms, convulsions, dizziness and vertigo. These herbs often seem to have a powerful antispasmodic effect on the nervous system.
Furthermore Shi Jue Ming is Cold in nature. This means that Shi Jue Ming typically helps people who have too much 'Heat' in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Shi Jue Ming can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Shi Jue Ming also tastes Salty. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Salty ingredients like Shi Jue Ming tends to have a draining effect in the body because they clear accumulations, remove Phlegm and soften hard lumps.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Shi Jue Ming is thought to target the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung. According to TCM, the Kidneys do not only regulate the urinary system but also play a key role in the reproductive system and the growth and aging process of the body. The Liver on the other hand is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.