The sea cucumber, also known as Liao Cen or Hai Nan Zi, is a species of echinoderm in the family Stichopodidae. It includes the Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), Stichopus chloronotus Brandt, and Stichopus variegatus Semper (without internal organs). It is mostly harvested in spring and autumn, through diving or trawling. After being caught, the internal organs are removed, and the body is cleaned of mud and blood stains before being boiled in saltwater for about 1 hour and then cooled and dried.
[Processing method] According to "Ben Cao Hai Li", the sea cucumber should be soaked in water to remove impurities and then the muddy sand in the stomach should be removed. Currently, the raw material is taken, impurities are removed, and it is washed clean. It is then cut into thick slices or sections and dried.
[Characteristics of the medicinal material] The sea cucumber is thick and round or slightly square-shaped, with a dark brown surface and varying sizes of blunt spines. It is hard in texture and has a slight fishy smell and a mild taste.
[Quality requirements] The sea cucumber should have a moisture content of about 21.0%, a crude protein content of not less than 55.00%, and an ash content not exceeding 21.0%.
[Processing function] The sea cucumber has a sweet and salty taste and is neutral in nature. It enters the heart and kidney meridians. It has the function of nourishing the kidney and replenishing essence, nourishing the blood, and moisturizing dryness. Processing the sea cucumber makes it clean and easy to use in formulations. It is used for conditions such as deficiency of essence and blood, weakness and fatigue, impotence, nocturnal emission, frequent urination, and constipation. For example, it is used in the form of sea cucumber pills to treat lower back pain, nocturnal emission, and spermatorrhea (as mentioned in "Chinese Medical Dictionary"). It can also be combined with wood ear fungus and pig intestines to treat deficiency heat and dryness (as mentioned in "Food Considerations"). It can be decocted as a single herb soup to treat dysentery during rest (as mentioned in "Gang Mu Shi Yi").
