Snails, also known as Tian Luo or Huang Luo, are mentioned in the book "Ming Yi Bie Lu". They belong to the family Viviparidae and include the Chinese viviparous snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis) and the Chinese carthayensis (C.carthayensis). They are mostly caught in spring to autumn and should be washed clean before use.
[Processing Method] Take the raw material, remove impurities, and wash thoroughly.
[Description] The Chinese viviparous snail is conical in shape with a thin and sturdy shell. The apex of the shell is sharp and the shell surface is convex. The shell is smooth with fine and distinct growth lines. The shell surface is yellowish-brown or greenish-brown. There is a sharp angle above the shell mouth, with a black border along the edge. The outer lip is simple and the inner lip is located above the body whorl, partially or completely covering the umbilical opening. The umbilical opening is seam-like with a horny operculum and distinct concentric growth lines. The Chinese carthayensis is oval in shape with a sharp apex and a greenish-brown or yellowish-brown shell surface. The shell mouth is oval, with a black border along the edge. The outer lip is simple and the inner lip is thick, covering the umbilical opening, which is seam-like.
[Quality Requirements] Protein content is approximately 10.7%, and ash content should not exceed 3.3%.
[Processing Functions] Snails have a sweet and salty taste, and a cold nature. They have the functions of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, relieving thirst, and detoxifying. They are used for conditions such as painful and hot urination, red and swollen eyes, jaundice, beriberi, edema, polydipsia, hemorrhoids, and boils. For example, salted snails are used to treat urinary obstruction and bloating (Yi Chao Lei Bian); when combined with pearl and coptis, they are used to treat eye pain (Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu); when combined with Inula and Smilax, they are used to treat urinary disorders and dysuria.
