The correct procedure for decocting mother-of-pearl first is to break the drug into pieces and soak it, then decoct it over a mild flame for 20-30 minutes before adding the other drugs.
Mother-of-pearl is a shellfish herb, cold in nature and salty in taste. The correct procedure for decocting mother-of-pearl is to break it into pieces, put it into a casserole or a pot or other container, soak it in cold water for 30-60 minutes, the water depth should completely overflow the medicine, boil it over high heat and then decoct it over moderate heat for 20-30 minutes, so as to release as much active ingredients as possible, and then put in the other Chinese medicines to decoct it with other medicines.
Mother-of-pearl has the effects of calming the liver and submerging yang (suppressing too much yang rising in the liver), calming the heart and tranquilizing the mind, clearing the liver and brightening the eyes (clearing the liver fire to promote the restoration of vision), and is used as the main treatment for palpitations and insomnia, redness and pain in the eyes, over-exuberance of liver yang (over-exuberance of liver yang, which causes dizziness, dizziness, headache, etc.), and dizziness and lightheadedness. Caution should be exercised in pregnant women, those with cold spleen and stomach (spleen and stomach weak and cold), and those with qi deficiency and subsidence.
Mother-of-pearl adverse reactions and contraindications are not clear. Mother-of-pearl should be applied under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner’s diagnosis, and should not be used on its own to avoid adverse reactions.