The efficacy and function of melon snail

Many people know that melon snails have unique therapeutic effects on some diseases. In fact, the magical effects of melon snails are far more than that. The following is a detailed account of the effects of melon snails.

【English name】 Whelk

[Other names] Oil snail, red tower snail, red snail

[Source] Medicinal material source: the meat of the melon snail of the family Volatile.

[Original morphology] The shell of the melon snail is ovate or nearly spherical, and the texture is relatively hard. It is generally 160-257mm high and 112-178mm wide. The spiral part is extremely small and is almost covered by the body whorl, with only the slightly nipple-shaped shell top exposed, which is sometimes lower than the body whorl, while the body whorl is extremely swollen. The shell surface is covered with a yellowish brown or dirty brown shell skin, after the shell skin falls off, the apricot yellow shell surface is exposed. Juveniles often have obvious horizontal rows of large reddish-brown spots, which often disappear in adults. The shell surface is relatively smooth and the growth lines are fine and dense. The shell opening is large and oval, with a bright orange-yellow interior. The outer lip is arc-shaped, thin and easily broken; the inner lip is slightly thicker, twisted, and tightly attached to the body whorl. The lower part has 4 distinct wrinkles. The anterior groove is short, wide, and concave, forming a large notch. Without cover. The feet are enlarged and have patterns.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Lives in deep shallow sea muddy seabed. It is carnivorous, with different males and females. The spawning period is April and May. The horny egg sac is yellowish brown and long oval. Each sac contains one egg. The egg sacs produced by one snail stick together to form a thick columnar egg group, about 230mm high and 110mm in diameter, commonly known as the "red snail tower". After the eggs hatch, the young snails break out of the sac. The meat is fat and delicious and can be eaten.

【Nature and flavor】 Salty; neutral

【Meridian】 Lung; Stomach meridian

【Functions and indications】 Clears heat and improves eyesight. Mainly dizziness; blurred vision

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 15-30g.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Chinese Medicinal Animals": It has the functions of antacid, analgesic and antipyretic. Mainly used to treat stomachache, fever, etc.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The effects and functions of melon snails are varied, and we should choose the appropriate way of eating according to different physical symptoms. In life, we can learn more about this when we have free time.