Hai Ge Fen
Alternate Pinyin Name: Ge Qiao, Hai Ge Ke
English Name: clam shell, Asiatic hard clam shell
Pharmaceutical Name: Concha Meretricis seu Cyclinae
Medica Category: Phlegm-Resolving Herbs
Properties: Hai Ge Fen enters the Lung and Stomach channels; it is bitter and salty in nature and cold in temperature.
What is Hai Ge Fen?:
The Chinese Herb Hai Ge Fen is the shell of the Asiatic hard clam (Meretrix meretrix L.), a species of clam that lives in shallow salt-water flats around Hong Kong and South China. Although the shells can be wrapped in cheesecloth and decocted, most commonly they are ground into powder for use as medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Hai Ge Fen:
Hai Ge Fen clears the Lung of heat and also dissolves phlegm to help abnormally flowing qi in the Lung to descend properly. Clinical indications for the use of this herb include cough w/copious yellow sputum that may be difficult to expectorate, wheezing/shortness of breath, and rib and chest pain.
Hai Ge Fen softens hardness and dissipates nodules to address goiter, scrofula, and thyroid nodules.
Hai Ge Fen has a mild action to promote urination and can be used as an assistant herb to address edema and dysuria.
Hai Ge Fen neutralizes excessive stomach acid and helps relieve stomach pain, acid reflux, and gastric and duodenal ulcers. Calcined, powdered Hai Ge Fen is best for this purpose.
Hai Ge Fen (calcined and mixed with oil) can be used topically to aid in the healing of wounds, burns, and eczema.