Wiseman’s Chinese Medical Database

gé ké (qiào) / 蛤壳 / 蛤殼 / clamshell

Latin pharmacognostic name: Meretricis seu Cyclinae Concha

Alternate English names:

Alternate Chinese names: 海蛤 hǎi gé; 蛤壳 gé ké; 海蛤壳 hǎi gé ké

Origin: Plant

Use: medicinal

Category: Phlegm-transforming cough-relieving panting-calming agents / Phlegm-transforming agents

Properties: Salty; balanced.

Channel entry: lung and stomach channels.*

Indications:

• Clears the lung and transforms phlegm: Heat phlegm cough and panting.
• Softens hardness and disperses binds: Goiter and phlegm nodes; rib-side pain.
• Disinhibits urine and disperses swelling: Damp-heat water swelling; strangury; vaginal discharge.
• Controls acidity and relieves pain: Stomach pain and acid upwelling.
• Also treats shank sores and eczema.

  Quality:

  Clean, shiny shells are the best.

  Product Area:

  Coastal areas of China.