The efficacy and function of snails

What are the functions of snails? As a traditional Chinese medicine, snails can not only be used to treat diseases, but also can be combined with some other medicinal materials to make medicinal food, which has a very good effect on regulating the human body. Today we will introduce snails.

[Other names] Snail (Bielu), Master Snail (Bencao Shiyi), Snail (Compendium of Materia Medica).

[Source] The whole of the square-ringed snail of the family Snail or other animals of the same genus.

[Original form] Square-shaped ring-ridged snail, also known as square field snail.

[Habitat distribution] Lives in rivers, lakes, ponds and paddy fields; mostly lives on the bottom of water with rich humus. Feeds on the epidermis of algae and other plants. It is distributed in most parts of the country.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet, cold.

[Meridian] "Yuchu Yaojie": "enters the foot-sun bladder meridian."

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat, promotes diuresis, and improves eyesight. Treat jaundice, edema, stranguria, diabetes, dysentery, red eyes, cataracts, hemorrhoids, and swelling.

[Usage and Dosage] For internal use: cook, decoct or mash into juice and drink. For external use: mash and apply.

【Note】 ① "Compendium of Materia Medica": "If there is cold drink in the stomach, long-term diarrhea in the abdomen, cold masses, hernia, or long-term ulcers that have not healed, it is not suitable to eat."

[Additional prescription] ① To treat jaundice and alcoholic jaundice: remove the dirt from small snails, cook them and drink the juice every day. (Yongleiqianfang)

[Discussions by various scholars] "Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "Snails are a medicine that can relieve alcohol fever, eliminate jaundice, clear the eyes, and benefit the large and small intestines. Gu Rulin said: This substance is very cold in nature and is good at relieving all kinds of hot miasma. If it is caused by wind, dryness, or fire, it will work very quickly. It can only be boiled, the shell removed, and eaten with oil, soy sauce, pepper, and chives. It should not be mixed with any medicinal ingredients."

[Remarks] The old snail shells of this animal (white snail shells) can also be used for medicinal purposes, please refer to the special article for details.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Compendium of Materia Medica". "Compendium of Materia Medica": (Snail) is found everywhere in lakes and streams, especially in Jiangxia and Hanjiu. It is as big as a finger, with a thick shell and is a dry field snail. It only eats mud and water. In spring, people pick it and steam it in a pot. The meat comes out and is cooked with wine and dregs before eating. After Qingming Festival, there will be insects in it and it is unusable.

The medicinal value of snails introduced in the article is of great help to our lives. In fact, many physical illnesses can be treated with Chinese medicinal materials such as snails. The profound Chinese medicine culture should continue to be passed on.