The efficacy and function of horn snail shell

Traditional Chinese medicine is very effective in treating some special diseases, but we still need to learn about it before taking it. Today we will talk about some common knowledge about the medicinal material Ceratonia ovata.

【English name】 angle snail

[Source] The source of the medicinal material: the operculum of the Acropora edulis and Acropora edulis of the family Acropora.

[Original form] 1. Horn snail, the shell is horn-shaped, hard and thick, generally the shell height is 163-180mm, the width is 90-107mm, there are about 9 whorls, the spiral part is short and conical, and its height is less than 1/3 of the shell height. The body whorl is swollen in the middle and narrow at the front. From the third layer of the spiral part to the body whorl, the shoulder of each layer is enlarged and the front end is narrow and long. From the third layer of the spiral part to the body whorl, each layer has a fissure on the shoulder with nodular protrusions and fine ribs that rotate with the whorl. The protrusions and ribs become stronger towards the front, forming triangular spinous processes in the body whorl. The shell surface is covered with yellowish-brown skin and yellowish-brown or light brown hairs, which are fine and dense and arranged in vertical rows. The hairs fall off easily after death. The shell opening is enlarged, wider at the rear, and has a very long front groove. The inside is flesh-colored and shiny. The lip is relatively thick, expanding outward into a spine at the shoulder angle, with complete edges; the inner lip is thin, attached to the body whorl, and has no umbilicus. The operculum is textured, thick, pear-shaped, pointed at the front, brown, with the core located on the outside of the front, and the growth lines are rough and wrinkled.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: 1. Lives on the muddy seabed near the low tide line to a depth of 10-50m.

[Properties] Identification of properties (1) Horn snail, operculum pear-shaped, relatively thick, pointed at the front end, brown or brown-black, relatively rough, nucleus located on the outside of the front end, obvious growth lines, wrinkled, umbilicus, horny, and tough. It has a faint smell and tastes slightly sweet and salty.

[Chemical composition] The operculum of the horn snail contains collagen. The tenggu horn snail contains 2-amino-ethylphosphonic acid.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; slightly salty; neutral

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and dries dampness; nourishes yin and tonifies deficiency. Excessive leucorrhea; head sores in children; otitis media; lower limb ulcers; hot flashes due to yin deficiency; sweating due to physical weakness; soreness and weakness of limbs

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: roast and grind into powder, 5-15g. For external use: appropriate amount, calcine, grind into powder, and apply on the affected area.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Above we introduced what the horn snail operculum is. We know that the horn snail operculum has very comprehensive effects and functions, so we can use the horn snail operculum as a means of regulating the body in daily life.