“Clam Tears” is the name of a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It consists of the secretions from the bodies of clams such as Cristariaplicata (Leach), Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea), and Anodonta woodiana (Lea) of the family Veneridae. It has the effects of quenching thirst, improving eyesight, and clearing heat and detoxifying.It is primarily used to treat diabetes, red eyes, burns, and nasal boils.
Clam Tears
“Clam Tears” is the name of a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It consists of the secretions from the bodies of clams such as Cristariaplicata (Leach), Hyriopsis cumingii (Lea), and Anodonta woodiana (Lea) of the family Veneridae. It has the effects of quenching thirst, improving eyesight, and clearing heat and detoxifying.It is primarily used to treat diabetes, red eyes, burns, and nasal boils.
Chinese Name : 蚌泪
Aliases : Fangzhu Water, Live Clam Water, Clam Water, Clear Clam Water
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Sweet in taste, cold in nature
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Quenches thirst, improves vision, clears heat, and detoxifies.
Indications
Diabetes, red eyes, burns, nasal boils.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Take an appropriate amount; simmer. External use: Apply an appropriate amount topically or instill into the eyes.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Supplements to the Materia Medica*: “Primarily improves eyesight, calms the mind, relieves restlessness and fever in children, and quenches thirst.”
2. *Original Sources of the Classic of Materia Medica*: “Water from roasted fresh clams is highly effective in treating scalds and burns.”
3. *Deyi Bencao*: “Its primary function is to quench thirst and relieve restlessness.”
4. *Gangmu Shiyi*: “Clears heat and stabilizes the fetus; eliminates phlegm and dispels dampness; neutralizes the toxicity of alcohol, mineral pigments, and medicinal poisons.”
Applications
Related Compatibility
1. To treat diabetes insipidus with excessive thirst: Stew fresh clams in clear water and consume. (*Quanzhou Materia Medica*)
2. To treat red eyes and blurred vision: Place Coptis chinensis bark inside a clam to extract its juice, then instill it into the eyes. (*Rihua Zi*)
3. To treat nasal boils: 1 live river clam, 0.3 g of borneol, and 0.6 g of borax.Grind the borax and borneol into a fine powder, place it inside the shell after it has been pried open, and once the clam is dead, drip a water solution of the mixture into the nostrils. (*Jilin Chinese Herbal Medicine*)
4. To treat sudden loss of speech in newborns: Grind a live clam with water to make ink, drip it into the mouth; shortly thereafter, the infant will pass black stool and be cured. (*Benjing Fengyuan*)
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
When gutting river clams, collect their secretions.
Crude Drug Identification
Botanical Information
Morphological Characteristics
1. Pleated Crown Clam: The shell is relatively large and slightly irregularly triangular in shape. The coronal protrusion on the anterior dorsal margin is inconspicuous; the posterior portion is tall, and the posterior dorsal margin extends upward at an angle to form a large crown. A series of gradually thickening longitudinal ribs runs from the apex of the shell toward the rear along the posterior dorsal surface. The ventral margin is nearly straight.The shell surface ranges from deep yellow-green to blackish-brown; the apex is often eroded, causing the surface color to fade. The nacre is lustrous. 2. Triangular Sail Clam: The shell is large and flat, with a hard shell and a slightly triangular shape. The left and right shell apexes meet closely; the posterior dorsal margin is long and protrudes upward to form a large, triangular, sail-like posterior wing, while the anterior dorsal margin is short and pointed.The ventral margin is nearly straight, with a slight curve. The shell surface is uneven, with coarse ribs engraved on the apex. Growth lines are arranged in wide, concentric rings. The inner surface of the shell is smooth, and the nacre is milky white.3. Toothless Angular Clam: The shell is ovoid with angular projections; the anterior end is slightly rounded, the posterior end is obliquely cut, and the ventral margin is arched. Three coarse ribs radiate from the apex along the posterior dorsal surface. The shell surface is greenish-brown. The adductor scar is oblong. The inner surface of the shell has a milky-white nacre.
Distribution Area
1. Plisured Crown Clam: Found throughout China. 2. Triangular Sail Clam: Found in Hebei, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and other regions. 3. Back-Angled Toothless Clam: Found throughout China.