Arca, Cockle Shell, Wa Leng Zi 瓦楞子
Ark shell, Cockle shell, Concha Striata
Wa Leng Zi (TCM)
One of the many species of Cockle-shell
General Conchology, Wood, 1815
Zoological name:
Arca species:
- A. subcrenata
- A. granosa
- A. inflata
Other species are also used.
Parts used:
Shell
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Salty
Classifications:
Uses:
1. Moves the Blood, Dissolves Phlegm, Resolves Masses:
-Scrofula, Lymphatic swellings, Goiter
-Abdominal masses with Qi and Blood Stagnation or Phlegm obstruction
-the raw or vinegar-prepared shell is most used for this purpose.
-“They dissolve blood clots. They transform phlegm accumulations”. (Li Shi Zhen)
2. Absorbs Acid, Eases Pain:
-antacid in Stomach hyper-acidity and acid regurgitation
-pain of Gastric Ulcers
-usually calcined for this purpose
3. Clears Heat, Promotes Sweat:
-“The Shells made into Powder, or calcined, and pulverized taken inwardly to the Quantity of two Scruples, or a Dram in any proper Vehicle, are great Diaphoretic’s or proper Medicines to provoke Sweat, and are given in Fevers, which they cure by Perspiration”. (Medicinalis Hibernica, K’eogh, 1739)
4. Externally:
-White Spots in the Eyes, burnt shell (in compound) is applied topically (West)
-used in Tooth Powders to clean the Teeth
Dose:
Decoction: 10–30 grams (crushed and decocted for 45–60 minutes before adding herbs)
Powder: 500mg–3 grams
Comment:
“Salty flavor moves toward the blood and softens hardenings. Hence ark shells are able to dissolve blood clots, and to disperse phlegm accumulations”. (Li Shi Zhen)
Preparation:
1. Unprepared Cockle Shell:
The washed and sun dried shell without further preparation is best to resolve Hot Phlegm and resolve Masses.
Previously, shells were often boiled in water and salt for 24 hours, then washed and dried.
2. Calcined Cockle Shell:
The shells are calcined at high temperature until friable, then cooled and powdered.
Formerly, they were calcined in a charcoal fire until red.
This is primarily used to absorb acid but it is also the best preparation if the shell is to be used as a powder.
3. Vinegar-prepared Cockle Shell:
The shells are calcined as above, then sprayed with vinegar to cool them. Or else the shells are heated at high temperature then quenched in Vinegar. This helps them to clear stasis and resolve masses.
Main Combinations:
1. Scrofula:
i. from Phlegm-Heat, Ark shell with Scrophularia Xuan Shen, Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao)
ii. from Phlegm-Heat, Ark shell with Fritillaria Zhe Bei Mu, Self Heal (Xia Ku Cao)
iii. from Phlegm, Ark shell with Sargassum Hai Zao, Kelp (Kun Bu)
2. Abdominal Masses and Tumors:
i. The vinegar-quenched Shell is made into pills with Vinegar to resolve masses. (Li Shi Zhen)
ii. Ark shell with Zedoary (E Zhu), Sparganium San Leng
3. Dysmenorrhea, Ark shell with Cyperus rotundus Xiang Fu, Peach kernel (Tao Ren)
4. Uterine Masses, Ark shell with Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Paeonia Mu Dan Pi, Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi)
5. Stomach pain, Acid regurgitation:
i. Ark shell with Cuttlefish bone (Hai Piao Xiao), Citrus Chen Pi
ii. Ark shell with Coptis Huang Lian, Cyperus rotundus Xiang Fu, Licorice
6. White Spots in the Eyes: burnt Cockle shells, Frankincense, Cuttle bone burnt (equal parts). Put some into the eyes 2 or 3 times weekly to remove white spots. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
Cautions:
Not used for Cold and Weak Digestion
Main Preparations used:
Prepared shell
