Application of Muli(Ostreae Conch)in Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica and Classic Formulas
The efficacy of Muli(Ostreae Conch)recorded in Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica was compared with ZHANG Zhongjing's application of Muli in the classic formulas.Muli is mainly used to treat cold damage with aversion to cold and fever,warm malaria with shivering,mainly combined with Tianhuafen(Trichosanthis Radix),Guizhi(Cinnamomi Ramulus),Zhigancao(Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle),Shuqi(Dichroae Ramulus)and Longgu,such as Gualou Muli Powder(栝楼牡蛎散),Guizhi Qu Shaoyao Jia Shuqi Muli Longgu Jiuni Decoction(桂枝去芍药加蜀漆牡蛎龙骨救逆汤).It is mainly used to treat disease marked by fright,resentment and anger,mainly combined with Chaihu(Bupleuri Radix),Qingbanxia(Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum),Huangqin(Scutellariae Radix)and Longgu(Fossilizid),represented by Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction(柴胡加龙骨牡蛎汤).It is mainly used to eliminate contracture,mainly combined with Hanshuishi(Calcitum),Shigao(Gypsum),Longgu,Juhua(Chrysanthemi Flos)and Baizhu(Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma),represented by Fengyin Decoction(风引汤)and Houshi Hei Powder(侯氏黑散).It is mainly used to relieve scrofula,mainly combined with Chaihu,Ganjiang(Zingiberis Rhizoma),Tianhuafen and Huangqin,such as Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction(柴胡桂枝干姜汤).It is mainly used to resolve red and white leucorrhea,mainly combined with Longgu,Guizhi,Zhigancao and Baishao(Paeoniae Radix Alba),such as Guizhi Jia Longgu Muli Decoction(桂枝加龙骨牡蛎汤).In addition to the efficacy contained in Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica,ZHANG Zhongjing made new development in the application of classic formulas containing Muli.Combined with Zexie(Alismatis Rhizoma),Tinglizi(Lepidii Semen)and Shanglu(Phytolaccae Radix),Muli could drain dampness,expel water to treat edema,such as Muli Zexie Powder(牡蛎泽泻散).Combined with Baizhu,Muli could invigorate spleen,drain dampness and prevent abortion,such as Baizhu Powder(白术散).
Shennong's Classic of Materia MedicaTreatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseasesclassic formulasMuli(Ostreae Conch)fright,resentment and angereliminating contracturered and white leucorrheaedema