Zhejiang Fritillary Bulb (Zhe Bei Mu)

浙貝母

Purple cowrie shell (Zibeichi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Concha Mauritiae

Zoological Name: Mauritia arabica (L)

Common Name: Purple cowrie shell

Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao

Part Used: The shells are collected in summer, then cleaned, dried in the sun and broken into pieces.

Natural Properties & Taste: Salty and neutral

Meridians: Liver

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To calm the heart and tranquilize the mind.

2. To clear heat in the liver and brighten eyes.

Indications:
1. Palpitations, irritability, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep or infantile convulsions due to high fever. Purple cowrie shell (Zibeichi) is used with Coptis root (Huanglian), Mother-of-pearl (Zhenzhumu) and Antelope’s horn (Lingyangjiao).

2. Wind and heat in the liver meridian manifested as red, swollen and painful eyes or visual obstruction. or hyperactivity of liver yang manifested as dizziness, vertigo and headache. Purple cowrie shell (Zibeichi) is used with Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua), Mulberry leaf (Sangye) and Uncaria stem (Gouteng).

Dosage: 10-15 g

Cautions & Contraindications: The substance is cooked before the other herbs.