石决明
Naming
Shi Jue Ming (Concha Haliotidis)——Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous physicians)
The Processing of 石决明
Origin
The shells of Haliotis diversicolor Reeve, H. discus hannai Ino, H. ovina Gmelin, H, tuber (Leach), H. asinine Linnaeus or H. laevigata (Donoyan) of family Haliotidae.
Location
The Haliotis diversicolor, H. discus, H. ovina are from coast of Guangdong, FUjian and Hainan provinces in China; the H. tuber, H. asinine, H. laevigata are from Australia and New Zealand.
Harvest
Collected in summer and autumn.
The actual smell and taste
Without bad smell, slightly salty taste.
Best quality
Large, thick, purity of external surface one with colored luster inner surface, the best one with nine blow holes called Jiu Kong Shi Jue Ming.
Processing
Removed off flesh, washed, dried in the sun; unprocessed or calcined; smashed.
The Effect of 石决明
Property
Salty, cold; liver meridian entered.
Actions
Pacify liver and subdue yang, clear liver heat and improve vision.
Indications
A. Syndrome of liver yang hyperactivity
It is good at pacifying liver, subduing yang, clearing liver heat and also nourishing liver yin, so it is the key herb for pacifying liver and cooling liver. For liver yang hyperactivity due to liver-kidney yin deficiency and failure of yin restraining yang with such symptoms as dizziness, it is combined with liver-pacifying herbs, such as Sheng Di Huang, Bai Shao and Mu Li, etc. For liver yang hyperactivity and up-flaming of liver fire with such symptoms as dizziness, headache, restlessness, irritability and tendency to anger, it is often combined with liver-heat-clearing herbs and liver-pacifying herbs, such as Ling Yang Jiao, Xia Ku Cao and Gou Teng, etc.
B. Blood-shot eyes, nebula and vision-disturbed ophthalmopathy, blurred vision
With actions of clearing liver fire and nourishing liver yin to remove nebula and improve vision, it is the key herb to treat eyes diseases for both excess and deficiency syndromes. For blood-shot eyes with swelling and pain due to up-flaming of liver fire, it is often combined with liver-clearing and vision-improving herbs, such as Xia Ku Cao, Jue Ming Zi and Ju Hua, etc. For photophobia, dacryorrhea, nebula, vision-disturbed ophthalmopathy and pterygium, it is often combined with liver-heat-clearing, wind-dispersing and vision-improving herbs, such as Chan Tui and Ju Hua, etc. For dim vision and blurred vision due to liver blood deficiency, it is often combined with Shu Di Huang, Gou Qi Zi and Tu Si Zi, etc, to reinforce the actions of nourishing liver-kidney and improving vision.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 15~30g. It should be smashed and decocted first. The unprocessed one is fit for pacifying liver and clearing liver. Calcined one, refined with water into powder, is fit for eyes use.